Athens Defecit

[Democritus]

How should I deal with Athens' massive defecit at the start of the campaign?

[Rameth]

Theres quite a few things you can do to get rid of the deficit.

- Disband some of the units in your army.
- Use all your starting money to build eco buildings.
- Both of the above.
- Try to take as many cities as quickly as possible.

Those are a few things you can do that will help get rid of your money problems.

[Democritus]

I took Thebes, but it has been a little tricky to hold since they are Monarchists, so I had to build a sizable army to subjugate the populace, which in turn led to more deficit.

However, I have now taken Argos from Sparta, and now have a small surplus. Also, I built mines and farms in Athens, and am converting Thebes to oligarchy (I have an oligarchic governor there). Thanks!

EDIT: I also have trade rights and alliances with Ionia, Kyrene, and the Tarentines. I have basically created an anti-Spartan Greek bloc.

EDIT 2: Why will Sparta not accept to being my protectorate (I have captured all provinces but Sparte itself, which is being blockaded)? They have an almost non-existent military, Leonidas has died, and have almost no source of income. I could crush them in one move, but I think they would make a useful ally/trade partner later on.

[Spartan198]

EDIT 2: Why will Sparta not accept to being my protectorate (I have captured all provinces but Sparte itself, which is being blockaded)? They have an almost non-existent military, Leonidas has died, and have almost no source of income. I could crush them in one move...

Well, the answer is simple: it is Sparta, after all...

[Rameth]

Glad to hear you've gotten out of debt lol. Also almost no faction will agree to becoming a protectorate. Its something about the AI of the game, you have to play on the easiest mode and be like 10 times larger and then they might do it. I wouldn't hold your breath though. It would be best to just crush them and send a diplomat to Taras, they are usually good trading parters, once went a whole game with Sparta and they didn't attack me for like 15 years

[Rameth]

Yea if I was in charge of Sparta I would die before I became anyones protectorate, Spartan pride and all lol.