A Biography of your Favourite Hero in History

[Philadelphos]

Maybe not everyone knows that Rome Total History has more than 1,000 historic leaders on the strategy map, each one in his area of operation and, whenever available, even with a matching character.

Since many of them are mentioned only in very special literature, the average player might think that their names are invented. But they are actually not, and now we have decided to make this clear!

To this purpose the next edition of Rome Total History is going to present a new feature:

Biographies!

We have already written over 400 biographies, starting with the diadoch dynasties of Egypt, Macedon, and the Seleucids, as well as Epirus, Pergamon, Sparta, and the Roman Republic. But before release we will further expand it. Actually we are planning to reach a number of 500 biographies and more, and we have already prepared placeholders for more additions as soon as the texts are written.

These biographies will allow players to learn more about the life and fate of a historic leader, and maybe try to emulate their deeds in the game.

The following is the current list divided by dynasties and nationalities. I will upgrade it as soon as new biographies are added. A name in brackets means that the leader's script is already in place, but the text must still be written.

Ptolemies:
- Ptolemy I Soter
- Ptolemy II Philadelphus
- Ptolemy III Euergetes
- Ptolemy IV Philopator
- Ptolemy V Epiphanes
- Ptolemy Ceraunus
- Meleager
- Ptolemy Epigone
- Ptolemy Andromachus
- Lysimachus
- Alexander

Egyptians:
- Archagatus
- Agathocles
- Philammon
- Sosibius

Antigonids:
- Antigonus I Monophthalmus
- Demetrius I Poliorcetes
- Antigonus II Gonatas
- Demetrius the Fair of Cyrene
- Demetrius II Aetolicus
- Antigonus III Doson
- Philip V
- Philipos
- Alexander (son of Demetrius Poliorcetes)
- Craterus of Corinth
- Alexander of Corinth
- Halcyoneus
- Echecrates

Macedonians:
- Sosthenes of Macedon
- Megaleas
- Taurion
- Nicanor the Elephant
- Democrates (admiral)
- Dicaearchus of Aetolia

Paeonians:
- Leon of Paeonia
- Dropion of Paeonia

Seleucids:
- Seleucus I Nicator
- Antiochus I Soter
- Antiochus II Theos
- Seleucus II Callinicus
- Antiochus Hierax
- Seleucus III Soter
- Antiochus III the Great
- Achaeus the Elder
- Alexander
- Andromachus
- Achaeus the Younger
- Sibyrtius
- Telesarchus
- Theodotus Hemiolius
- Nicarchus
- Xenoetas the Achaean
- Xenon
- Zeuxis
- Hermeias

Achaeans:
- Margos of Ceryneia
- Aratus of Sicyon
- Lydiadas of Megalopolis
- Timoxenos
- Philopoimen
- Cycliadas

Athenians:
- Demosthenes
- Demochares
- Calippus
- Chremonides

Epirotes:
- Pyrrhus of Epirus
- Ptolemy of Epirus
- Helenus of Epirus
- Alexander II of Epirus
- Pyrrhus II of Epirus
- Milon
- Cineas of Thessaly
- Alexander of Acarnania

Syracusans:
- Agathocles
- Agatharchus
- Hieron II
- Gelon
- Andranodoros
- Zoippus

Sicilians:
- Tyndarion of Tauromenium
- Heracleides of Leontini
- Thoenon
- Sosistratus

Pergamon:
- Philetaerus of Tium
- Eumenes I
- Attalus I
- Dionysidoros (admiral)

Spartans:
- Archidamus IV
- Eudamidus II
- Agis IV
- Areus I
- Acrotatus II
- Leonidas II
- Cleomenes III
- Cleombrotus II
- Cleonymus
- Machanidas the Tyrant
- Nabis
- Hippomedon

Argives:
- Aristomachus the Elder
- Aristippus
- Polycrates of Argos

Greeks:
- Gorgos of Messene
- Brachyllas of Boeotia

Romans:
- Quintus Fabius Maximus
- Marcus Atilius Regulus
- Gaius Fabricius Luscinus
- Lucius Aemilius Paullus
- Marcus Porcius Cato
- Lucius Licinius Lucullus
- Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus (consul 216 BC)
- Gaius Marius
- Appius Claudius Caecus
- Appius Claudius Caudex
- Appius Claudius Pulcher
- Publius Claudius Pulcher
- Tiberius Claudius Nero
- Marcus Claudius Marcellus
- Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina
- Lucius Cornelius Scipio
- Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus
- (Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus)
- (Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix)
- (Marcus Licinius Crassus)
- (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus)
- (Gaius Julius Caesar)

Illyrians:
- Glaucias of the Taulantii
- Bardyllis II
- Agron
- Scerdilaidas
- Pleuratus III
- Demetrius of Pharos
- Ballaios of Rhizon

Dardanians:
- Monunius I
- Mytilus
- Longarus
- Hales of the Triballi
- Syrmus of the Triballi
- Busumarus
- (Bato of the Daesitiates)

Thracians and Odrysians:
- Seuthes III
- Cotys II
- Raizdos
- Rhascuporis I
- Amadocus III
- Teres III
- Beithys

Getae and Dacians:
- Dromichaetes
- Zalmodegicus
- Moskon
- Rubobostes
- Oroles
- Rhemaxos
- Burebista
- Deceneus
- Akornion
- Ketroporis

Bosporans:
- Spartocus
- Paerisades II

Pontus:
- Mithridates I Ctistes
- Ariobarzanes
- Mithridates II
- Mithridates III
- Pharnaces I
- Mithridates IV
- Mithridates V
- Diophantus of Sinope
- Neoptolemus (admiral)

Bithynia:
- Bas
- Zipoetes I
- Nicomedes I
- Ziaelas
- Prusias I

Armenia:
- Orontes III
- Sames
- Arsames I
- Xerxes
- Orontes IV
- Zariadres
- Artaxias I

Parthia:
- Arsaces I
- Tiridates
- Arsaces II
- Phriapatius
- Phraates I
- Mithridates I

Mauryans:
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Bindusara
- Susima
- Ashoka
- Kunala
- Dasharatha

Bactrians:
- Diodotus I Soter
- Diodotus II
- Euthydemus I
- Demetrius I
- Andragoras
- Molon
- Apollodotus I Soter
- Eucratides I
- Menander I

Persians:
- Bagdates I
- Oborzos
- Atropates
- Artabazanes of Atropatene

Scythians:
- Atheas
- Scylurus
- Palacus
- Saumacus
- Maues of Gandhara
- Zanticus of the Iazyges

Sarmatians:
- Aripharnes of the Siraces
- Gatalus
- Tasius of the Roxolani
- Spadines of the Aorsi
- Abeacus of the Siraces
- (Zorsines of the Siraces)
- (Eunones of the Aorsi)

Celts:
- Molistomos
- Cambaules
- Cerethrius
- Comontorius of Tylis
- Cavarus of Tylis
- Catmelus of Noricum
- Cincibilus of Noricum
- Balanus of Noricum
- Vocion of Noricum

Galatians:
- Brennus
- Acichorius
- Combutis
- Orestorius
- Leonnorius
- Lutarius
- Ortiagon
- Sinatus
- Deiotarus of Galatia
- Brogitarus of Galatia
- Amyntas of Galatia

Germans:
- Teutobod
- Boiorix
- Lugius
- Claodicus
- Caesorix
- Ariovistus
- Maroboduus
- Vibilius
- Catualda
- Vannius
- Segimerus
- Inguiomerus
- Arminius
- Segestes
- Flavus
- Actumerus
- Ucromerus

Britons:
- Cassivellaunus
- Tasciovanus
- Cunobelinus
- (Epaticcus)
- Adminius
- Togodumnus
- Caratacus
- Cingetorix
- Carvilius
- Taximagulus
- Segovax
- Prasutagus (and Boadicea)
- Venutius (and Cartimandua)
- Calgacus the Caledonian

Belgians:
- Bolgios
- Commius of the Atrebates
- Tincomarus of the Atrebates
- Eppillus of the Atrebates
- Verica of the Atrebates
- Boduognatus of the Nervii
- Vertiscus of the Remi
- Indutiomarus of the Treveri
- Ambiorix of the Eburones

Gauls:
- Britomaris
- Aneroëstes of the Gaesatae
- Concolitanus of the Gaesatae
- Viridomarus of the Insubres
- Teutomalius the Salluvian
- Bathanatos of the Scordisci
- Magalus of the Boii
- Luernios the Arvernian
- Bituitus the Arvernian
- Congonnetiacus the Arvernian
- Celtillus
- Vercassivellaunos
- Vercingetorix
- Camulogenus of the Senones
- Sedullos of the Lemovices
- Lucterius of the Cadurci
- Tasgetius of the Carnutes
- Diviciacus of the Haedui
- Dumnorix of the Haedui
- Convictolitavis of the Haedui
- Litaviccus of the Haedui
- Catamantaloedes of the Sequani
- Orgetorix of the Helvetii
- Crixus the Allobrogian

Iberians:
- Arganthonios
- Istolacius
- Indortes
- Orisson of the Oretani
- Indibilis
- Mandonio
- Meniacaptus
- Vismaros
- Laro the Cantabrian
- Culcas
- Luxinius
- Bilistages
- Punicus
- Caesarus
- Caucenus
- Viriathus
- Tantalus
- Edecon
- Allucius
- Hilernus
- Thurrus
- Olyndicus the Druid
- Cacyros
- Carus of Segeda
- Rhetogenes Ceraunus

Numidians:
- Aelymas
- Syphax
- Zelalsen
- Gala
- Oezalces
- Capussa
- Massinissa
- Micipsa
- Gulussa
- Mastanabal
- Jugurtha

Carthaginians:
- Hanno the Great
- Gisgo
- Hanno II the Great
- Hamilcar Gisco
- Hannibal Gisco
- Gesco
- Hasdrubal Gisco
- Himilco
- Bomilcar
- Maharbal
- Hamilcar Barca
- Hasdrubal the Fair
- Hannibal Barca
- (Hasdrubal Barca)
- (Mago Barca)
- Hanno the Navigator
- Himilco the Navigator
- Adherbal
- Bomilcar the Admiral
- Muttines

Mauretanians:
- Baga of Mauretania
- Bocchus of Mauretania

Nubians:
- Ergamenes
- Amanislo
- Hugronaphor
- Ankhmakis
- Natakamani
- Zoscales

Diadochs:
- Lysimachus
- Agathocles
- Antipater II of Macedon
- Ophellas
- Magas of Cyrene

Samnites:
- Gaius Pontius
- Statius Gellius
- Gellius Egnatius
- Stenius Statius
- Pacuvius Calavius
- Stenius Mettius

Ligurians:
- Donnus
- Marcus Julius Cottius

Nabataeans:
- Zabdibelos
- Aretas I
- Malichus I
- Rabbel I
- Erotimus
- Aretas II
- Obodas I
- Aretas III Philhellenos
- Aretas IV Philopatros
- Malichus II

Judaeans:
- Mattathias
- Judas Maccabaeus
- Jonathan Maccabaeus
- Simon Maccabaeus
- John Hyrcanus
- Judah Aristobulos
- Alexander Jannaeus
- Herod the Great

Cappadocians:
- Ariarathes I
- Ariarathes II
- Ariamnes II
- Ariarathes III
- (Ariarathes IV)
- (Ariarathes V)
- Orophernes Nikephorus

Paphlagonians:
- Scydrothemis of Sinope
- Dionysius of Hercalea Pontica
- Clearchus II of Heraclea Pontica
- Oxyathres of Heraclea Pontica
- Morzius of Paphlagonia
- Pylaemenes of Paphlagonia

Caucasians:
- Pharnavaz of Iberia
- Saurmag of Iberia
- Azon of Iberia
- Kuji of Colchis
- Olthaces of Colchis
- Oroezes of Albania

Aetolians:
- Charixenos of Aetolia
- Theodorus of Athamania
- Amynander of Athamania
- Theodotus of Aetolia
- Nicolaus of Aetolia
- Scopas of Aetolia
- Dorimachus of Trichonion
- Pyrrhias of Aetolia
- Pantaleon of Pleuron
- Agelaus of Naupactus
- Machatas of Aetolia

Rhodians:
- Agathostratos
- Theophiliscus
- Polyxenidas the Rhodian
- Cleonaeus
- Pausistratos
- Eudamos
- Pamphilidas

Mercenaries:
- Xanthippus of Sparta
- Mathos
- Spendius
- Naravas
- Autaritus
- Zarzas the African
- Lagoras of Crete

Tyrants:
- Phintias of Akragas
- Apollodorus of Cassandreia
- Abantidas of Sicyon
- Aristodemus the Good of Megalopolis
- Decius Vibellius
- Timarchus of Miletos

Rebels:
- Eunus the Slave
- Hampsicora

Pirates:
- Ameinias the Phocian
- Zenicetes
- Tarcondimotus I of Cilicia

Explorers:
- Euthymenes of Massalia
- Pytheas of Massilia
- Nearchus
- Megasthenes
- Deimachus
- Dionysius
- Demodamas of Miletus
- Patrocles
- Simmias
- Eudoxus of Cyzicus
- Hippalus

Diplomats:
- Leonidas of Tarentum

Agents:
- Erginos the Syrian
- Bolis
- Heracleides of Tarentum

Admirals:
- Nearchus
- Patrocles
- Epaenetus
- Timosthenes of Rhodes
- Callicrates of Samos
- Patroclus of Macedon
- Democrates of Tarentum
- Diognetus
- Apollonius

[Philadelphos]

The following pictures show how it works.
These are the biographies of the Ptolemaic dynasty:

[Philadelphos]

This is the biography of Philetaerus of Tium, the founder of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon.
He had a quite interesting fate, and you may discover similar stories playing Rome Total History 2.1.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Philadelphos]

Wow, today I have completed more than 30 biographies!

[Philadelphos]

Now that I have the first in place, I start to realize how the biographies open up a lot of new possibilities!

Through their new character traits, all the leaders have been individualized, as well as their families, and this allows to do very precise things.

So I can make sure that a certain leader acquires a specific ancillary or character trait in a certain date.

Example:

Knowing that Ptolemy II Philadelphos had a concubine named Belistiche, I can write a script that he gets her in a certain year.

Here it is:

;-------------------------------------
Trigger trigger_Bilistiche_Philadelphos
 WhenToTest CharacterTurnEnd
 Condition FactionType egypt
 and Trait Biography_Ptolemies = 2
 and I_TurnNumber >=  2  
 and IsGeneral
 AcquireAncillary Bilistiche chance  100

With this script, no matter where he is or what he does, Philadelphos will get acquainted with Belistiche in the summer of 279 BC.
The only thing that could hinder him would be a premature death or a full ancillary row. For these cases I can write a second trigger that allows other members of the family to acquire the same ancillary.

Actually I wouldn't be so deterministic and I'd give the event at least more time to happen. To this purpose it is enough to reduce the chance to a value of maybe 10 or 20.

I can do similar stuff with character traits, too, and I could even do it to a whole family. If I wanted I could give an entire dynasty a certain disease from one day to the next. And I can even programme a lot of future things like biographies for children to be acquired at the coming of age and similar.

Here comes Philadelphos with his concubine:



In this case it seems that he waited for the death of his father, before making the thing official!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[leoni]

i like that a lot...you could also add, like in eb1, traits...refering to strabos geographic descriptions...

[Philadelphos]

The following screenshot shows the Indian Emperor Ashoka the Great:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[HeinzGuderiann]

Custom: Arminius was a Roman. Hermann was a German. Hermann grew up in the simple but yet beautiful tribal lifestyle of the Germanic folk. Hermann had known his father to be a leader of the tribe. The people prospered, free from the degeneracy and genocidal reach of the Roman Empire who was falling into a state of decay and degeneracy that would begin after the death of Agustus. The Germanic people would soon see the storm clouds of the dark imperial banners of the Romans. Who had genocided the Celts, Carthaginians, Samnites, and who had destroyed the great civilization of the Greeks was now approaching the shores of the great Rhine. These people these Germanic people would be different, skilled fighters they were, true to their own and their own only they were and that was Romes fatal mistake when they thought they could murder an entire tribe kill its leader and abduct the son of the chief. Hermann was to live in Rome, an alien world, Urbanized, degenerate, unfriendly, and corrupt, Arminius who had lived in a world of purity, peace, and hospitality would certainly reject this style of life that the Romans forced upon him. Hermann was smart, deceiving the Romans into thinking he was one with the Empire, the Romans would train him on Military tactics and Hermann would study the Roman tactics always thinking to himself how these legions could be crushed in battle. Tiw, Wodan, Frey, Thunar, had guided him throughout his life as a prisoner to Rome. The day came when Hermann would carry out his purpose to the Imperial state, to betray his own. The Romans who had raised him for most of his life were sure that Hermann would carry out his purpose. But Hermann did something else. For what might be the first time ever, a people were united, the first time ever the German people would be united. Rome had no idea until that day when all Hermanns life would lead up to one point. Destroy the invader who had insulted his people and Himself by thinking the Germans were nothing more than another Gallic conquest. The men in thousands appeared out of the fruitful forest that had provided them with life for centuries. The Romans would be annihilated that day. Hermann would be immortalized. Some might say the Romans got revenge with Germanicus leading his Roman legions into Germany, but at that point, the Romans could only take revenge, they couldn't conquer these people. The Confederation of Germans would be broken apart due to weak traitors in Hermanns mist. The Germanic folk would be the eventual downfall of the Romans who took their anger and revenge with them. Hermann would be the seed of German nationalism, as in the 19th century when Germany has broken apart into small kingdoms, many looked to him and finally united as one. The call to Hermann would be again heard when the Weimar Republic was fracturing apart, the NSDAP love them or hate them united Germany under the tribal laws of Hermann. Hermann changed history forever. It only takes one man to change the entire world and its destiny.