VPO's guide for Byzantium
Byzanines Guide by: Viking Prince Olaf
Special unit:Varangian Gaurd Attachment 29398
The Varangian gaurd has two
stages 1. Early (left) 2. High (right)
Capital:Constantinople (Istanbul)
Number of starting settlements:5
starting strength:weak
Intro
The Byzantines are the Eastern remains of the once great Roman Empire.
Byzantium wich stands for "Eastern Empire" is really the one that deserves the title of The Holy Roman Empire as it is the Byzantines that really take after the Origional Holy Roman Empire. The HRE of the time is A possibility the Roman Empire would have embraced had it not been under constant attack from Germanics, Frankish, Vikings, Vandels, and Huns previously thought to have ended the origional Holy Roman Empire.
The trade gateway from the Middle East and Asia (Minor alike) giving it an
ideal defending position along with Russia the 2 only Orthodox factions to
defend Eastern Europe to the terrors modern and future that might be unleashed in their absence.
"The Campaign"
The Byzantines start out as arguably 1 of the 2 strongest (Both Roman)
factions meaning early expansion. You have two choices, 1. Head into
Asia minor to great the Turks and later on Egypt in A probable 100 year war. 2.Head West into Eastern Europe and challenge multiple weak starting factions that could be A pain. Chosing both wouldn't be ideal as you would have to split them in half and both need A sizable force.
I usually bring my Empire up to date having at least large town/castle lv settlements. Next I garrison my money makers especially on the border
and start pruducing average raiding infantry and horse archers. Corinth
is A hard decision to me, It would be A wonderful city with the obvious Greek fertile land for farming, and trade with Crete, Rhodes, and Italy.
On the other hand, Corinth is A vital already castle ready to take the Central Mediteranean and Italy.
Trade is plentiful for the Byzantines, Black sea trade is VERY important
to any that borders the Black sea. The Byzantines by the high is A very rich state with outstanding horse archers to harass and then melee into battle. I would choose to take A moderate step by step, well thought out
invasion, Of Sicily and push forward. If you havn't alread peed off the pope than leave him and push upward and attack Venice from both sides.
Use this steps repeatebly for the best results as the country may not be able to afford to split troops but Byzantium is large and rich. The Turks
by the early 12th century will start to stir and do gorrila hit and run tactics wich are easily negated by Byzantine horse archers.
The thing I love about the Byzantines is that their A mixture of Eastern European and Middle Eastern wich is perfect for me as I love the European
heavy infantry and the Middle Eastern cavelry and archers.
You don't have to worry about the Mongols with the Byzantines as there
unit Roster negates their lesser horse archer units. Reputation with the
Byzantines isn't important as your already strong but brittle Empire will fall apart if you don't expand somewhere. Theres always A migration campaign. :hmmm:
I tend to not care for their lack of gunpowder as I don't use seige engines too often as they slow me down. Try to ally with Russia, your only real sister nation in the game, befriend them and together use them and then betray them as rep dosn't matter for Byzantium.
Hope you like this, thanks VPO.
Tell me if I miss anything. (But try not to and be polite...)
Go Vikings!!!! 
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Viking Prince Olaf
were trying to dominate the world even though constantinople is A huge target i like to abandon early.....:hmmm:
Good read mate, nice work +rep
