MTW Byzantines

Introduction

The Byzantines (faction colour purple) are the major Orthodox faction. Events in Byzantine history are also used to divide the periods covered in the game: the historical sack of Constantinople by the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade marks the start of the High period in 1205, and the fall of the same city to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 marks the end of the game.

The Byzantines have a greater number of unique units available to them than any other faction except the Turks. Several of these unique units, such as Kataphraktoi, Trebizond Archers, and Varangian Guard, give this faction a significant advantage early on, but as time advances to the High and Late periods these units become increasingly outdated, with some units becoming unavailable.

Early Era Provinces and Units

Provinces	Units
Anatolia	41 Kataphraktoi (faction leader), 100 Round Shield Spearmen, 12 Naptha Throwers
Bulgaria	60 Trebizond Archers
Constantinople	60 Trebizond Archers, 100 Byzantine Infantry, 60 Varangian Guard
Crete	100 Round Shield Spearmen
Cyprus	100 Round Shield Spearmen
Georgia	60 Trebizond Archers, 100 Byzantine Infantry
Greece	100 Byzantine Infantry
Lesser Armenia	100 Byzantine Infantry
Naples	100 Byzantine Infantry, 12 Naptha Throwers
Nicaea	100 Byzantine Infantry
Rhodes	100 Round Shield Spearmen
Trebizond	60 Trebizond Archers, 40 Alan Mercenary Cavalry, 100 Round Shield Spearmen

High Era Provinces and Units

Provinces	Units
Georgia	40 Horse Archers, 100 Peasants
Lesser Armenia	40 Byzantine Cavalry, 60 Trebizond Archers, 100 Peasants
Nicaea	41 Kataphraktoi (faction leader), 40 Byzantine Cavalry, 40 Kataphraktoi, 60 Varangian Guard, 60 Trebizond Archers, 12 Naptha Throwers
Rhodes	2 x 100 Byzantine Infantry

Late Era Provinces and Units

Provinces	Units
Constantinople	41 Kataphraktoi (faction leader), 60 Varangian Guard, 40 Kataphraktoi, 40 Pronoiai Allagion, 100 Byzantine Infantry, 12 Bombard Crew
Nicaea	40 Pronoiai Allagion, 100 Byzantine Infantry, 60 Trebizond Archers
Rhodes	40 Pronoiai Allagion, 100 Byzantine Infantry, 12 Naptha Throwers

References

Byzantine Faction Guide at the .Org.

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TBD - what else needs to go here? basic faction guide, colors, pretty it up some with the flag. Need a better way to show faction specific units. Any faction discounts?