Sardinia: A plea for a 2nd settlement

[CaesarAugustus]

Since there is a limit of 199 as the amount of provinces which can be included, and half of Eurasia is being represented on the strategy map, I think it is reasonable that Sardinia only has one province, especially seeing that it did not have an overly large population during 272 BC, and was controlled by only one *major* faction, the interior being tribes. The comparison with Sicily based on land area is kind of is kind of weak; it would mean that the steppes should be broken down into more provinces too, regardless of their sparse population. I could not find any online estimate of the Sardinian population circa 272 BC, but it could not have been close to that of Sicily, considering Sicily was a rich agricultural island supporting one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean, Syrakousai. I think that the EB team decided to devote three provinces to Sicily because a) it was an important crossroads of Mediterranean trade and a strategic island to hold, b) it was divided culturally and politically, being controlled by the Phoenicians in the West and Greeks in the East (not to mention its native populations, largely fallen under the spheres of influence in 272 BC), and c) It was the primary site of a very historic war during that period.

That being said, I am inclined to agree that if there were more province spaces, Sardinia should definitely warrant more than one, for the reasons already stated by Zarax, plus the fact that whoever controlled (coastal) Sardinia basically controlled (coastal) Corsica and the Tyrrhenian as well.

There is also the point about Nora being the Punic capital of Sardinia. Maybe this should be the case in EB2, with Karali as the docks and Olbia as a permanent fortress? Perhaps a permanent fortress in the interior of the island as well, occupied by Sardinian Eleutheroi, to represent the uncontrolled interior?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Sardinia's provinces have been discussed interally. It really should have at least three settlements (two coastal and one inland with difficult rebels), but provinces are a very rare resource.

The Carthaginians status in Sardinia and the situation of the natives will be better represnted in EBII.

[Hax]

So...

Is this a good time to mention Permanent Stone Forts?

[eddy_purpus]

So...

Is this a good time to mention Permanent Stone Forts?

cant stone permanent forts be scripted to lets say have a name and be owned by the land lord?

[Cute Wolf]

Permanent stone forts is Buildable on Crussader's Campaign, but it costs much much more gold than the ordinary one... too bad they can't be named...

[Tanit]

Currently available province slots are being discussed and I did put forward a bid for another Sardinian province. However, it is unlikely this will occur, so I also put forward a request for at least one PSF on the island which will be rebel and ruled by a young version of Hampsicora. He probably wasn't quite born at the time but its the closest we'll get. Also, unit slots are a little in flux but keep your fingers crossed for the addition of Nuraghe cavalry!

[Zarax]

Err... nuragic cavalry?
AFAIK that was not exactly their best side, especially considering the size of the native horses... I wouldn't have been surprised by an heavier infantry than the actual EB version TBH.

[Zarax]

Since there is a limit of 199 as the amount of provinces which can be included, and half of Eurasia is being represented on the strategy map, I think it is reasonable that Sardinia only has one province, especially seeing that it did not have an overly large population during 272 BC, and was controlled by only one *major* faction, the interior being tribes.

The same could be said about many other places (germania, parts of gaul, parts of the balkans, ireland and UK), yet nobody has a problem with their assigned number of provinces.

The comparison with Sicily based on land area is kind of is kind of weak; it would mean that the steppes should be broken down into more provinces too, regardless of their sparse population. I could not find any online estimate of the Sardinian population circa 272 BC, but it could not have been close to that of Sicily, considering Sicily was a rich agricultural island supporting one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean, Syrakousai. I think that the EB team decided to devote three provinces to Sicily because a) it was an important crossroads of Mediterranean trade and a strategic island to hold, b) it was divided culturally and politically, being controlled by the Phoenicians in the West and Greeks in the East (not to mention its native populations, largely fallen under the spheres of influence in 272 BC), and c) It was the primary site of a very historic war during that period.

If you check a bit deeper you will find that Sardinia came right after Sicily as roman granary between the punic wars and kept an important place until egypt came into play.
This without mentioning its mines, which were an important source of income for both Rome and Carthage, although of course not on the same level as Iberia.
Sardinia was an important battlefield of the punic wars too, one could even argue that it decided the fate of the 2nd one as Hannibal's reinforcements were diverted there to support the native efforts to oust the romans.
While not as advanced as the greeks or romans in the EB timeframe the sardinians were on the same league up to the 6th century BC and built fortifications that were at least as good as the celtic oppida. Here's an example: http://www.imedia.sardegna.it/nuraxi...ESE/ukpn00.htm

The carthaginian themselves didn't have an easy time conquering the island and were pushed back a few times before getting ground inland by the balares and other interior tribes.

That being said, I am inclined to agree that if there were more province spaces, Sardinia should definitely warrant more than one, for the reasons already stated by Zarax, plus the fact that whoever controlled (coastal) Sardinia basically controlled (coastal) Corsica and the Tyrrhenian as well.

My plea came now as provinces are being reconsidered for EB2 and so the importance of the island has a chance to be reconsidered against others.

There is also the point about Nora being the Punic capital of Sardinia. Maybe this should be the case in EB2, with Karali as the docks and Olbia as a permanent fortress? Perhaps a permanent fortress in the interior of the island as well, occupied by Sardinian Eleutheroi, to represent the uncontrolled interior?

Fortresses could be an acceptable compromise to depict island situation in a more accurate way.
I am confident that the EB team will manage to find the best compromise between historical accuracy and engine limitations.

[Krusader]

With the new factions being chosen provinces are being redistributed as well.

But alas, Sardinia will remain only one province, because we still lack a few provinces we'd really want.

[Zarax]

As I said, I trust you guys in finding the best way to represent the local situation.