Which Faction would you choose to create a mighty trade empire.

[SteamPunk]

HI
I always like to create large trade empires in TW games. And in previous titles there are factions that are better suited/better placed to create one, Like Carthage in Rome 1 and Britain in Empire.
I know that eventually all factions have the chance to build top tier trading buidlings like ports and markets, But i was just wondering what Faction would be your preferred choice to create a mighty trade empire from the start.
I know that Carthage are the forerunners here, Their faction description hints at them getting some sort of trading bonus. But im thinking that Athens are well placed to create strong trading routes throughout the Med as well. Both factions have strong naval traditions so it will be interesting to see if either can get mastery of the sea routes.
I think i will start as Athens and see how that goes. Trade = money and money is the fuel of war.

[Yamabushi]

Egypt; take Crete, Rhodes, Syria and Libya It'd give you access and viable trades routes all over

[Little Legionaire]

Carthage or Egypt. They'd be the best pick for forging such an empire. IMO

[Centurio (Latin)]

One with a strong navy such as Carthage or Athens as you said . This way you can rule the seas and interrupt some trade routes of enemy factions you don't like by blockading their ports.

[Dan113112]

Athens.

[Little Legionaire]

Athens.

If Sparta, Makedon and Epirus let you live

[SteamPunk]

Just took a look at the trade map that CA have just posted. Very interesting and confirms for me my faction choice..Athens all the way

[Mikelus Trento]

For a trade empire, the most central one, and that has to be Athens.

[Marcus Aemilius Lepidus]

Not really primary a trade empire, but Parthia etablished the silkroute which is propably the most profitable one. Further they controlled allmost every trade between east and west, similar to the Ottomans later.

The germanic or samartic tribes which controlled the region should also profit from the amberroute which was the second famous ancient traderoute.

[Ushoron]

iceni because it will be hilarious.

[HusKatten]

Pontus would also be a viable option. Taking control of the Dark Sea, and you'll only need a navy in the sea of Marmara to protect it all from enemy fleets. That gives you 10 ports, and only one sea passage to defend. However, it'll be a spread out kingdom, but you will probably not need a navy to accompany your army as it moves from region to region over the protected Dark Sea.

[SteamPunk]

Having another look at the trade map, i see that Iberia has plenty of sea and land trade routes. Would defiantly give Carthage an edge in trade if they can take and hold all of Iberia.
I think i will have to send an Athenian army to Iberia to start a colony and take some trade from Carthage.

[tomux7]

Egypt has best strategic location, so it would best choice, however it has horrid unit roster so I will choose Carthage.

[-iceblade^]

Egypt has best strategic location, so it would best choice, however it has horrid unit rooster so I will choose Carthage.

What's horrid about the unit roster? I've not seen it...

[jsully16]

What's horrid about the unit roster? I've not seen it...

This guy's probably one who wants Egypt to be another cookie-cutter Greek faction because thousands of years of culture were washed away as soon as Alexander conquered them.

[blackheartz]

Athens or Egypt.

[111289]

Secure the silk road as parthia and hope there are some kind of trade nodes to India and/or China like in napoleon to boston etc.

[Captain W. Handberg]

Carthage; a mighty Republic, famous for having wide trade routes and lines. A good example of a trade empire, and a beginning to create one.
Athens; a city of Philosophers and seafarers, rather than conquerors and warriors.
Egypt; Aegyptus has always been a region rich of agricultural lands and rich products, including wares such as gold and silk. The Ptoleimac empire's connection to the various Isles of the Hellenes offer a widespread connection of trade, and their coastal capital also offers support for a fleet of merchants.

[Dominian]

Egypt. They are the only ones with access to all sea trade routes. Also they are the only faction that starts with four resources. (2x grain, iron, olive oil). I don't know why people would chose Athens. They have no resources, are a vassal to Macedonia and have a single trade port. There is no advantage of access to anything as Athens, is there? Athens is just as good as Iceni for example, which I only read here as a joke. But they have the same access to ports and same access to trade routes. Only pro for Athens in comparison to the Iceni is that the iceni can be blocked at Gibraltar from trade into the mediterranean sea.

[SteamPunk]

I think what helps Athens cause is the fact that its navy gets some sort of bonus. In the Faction description it states

Its strong naval tradition gives its fleets the upper hand

And a strong navy will be vital to keeping the sea trade lanes open.
I must admit i didnt think of Egypt at first, but what people are saying makes sense.