Achaemenidai

Faction Overview	Strategic Overview	History
The Achaemenidai have the power of Expansionism.
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the Persian Shah Xerxes once boasted, "The Sun shall not shine on no land that is not our own." This would be no empty boast, given the immense power controlled by the Achaemenidai, who are by far the greatest power of the known world. Forming a massive empire stretching across from Aigyptos all the way to the borders of the Indian lands, the Achaemenidai rule over some of the most fertile lands on earth as well as myriads of subjects, eager to do the King of King's will. Only the most well-prepared and resolute of foes can hope to face the massive Achaemenid war machine .... and hope to survive.
Of course, this abundance alas is their weakness. In spite of their great size, the Achaemenid war machine is but made up of different parts. And not all parts work perfectly. A wise commander, taking advantage of the dissension amongst the subject-nations of the Persians (and the tensions between the Persians themselves) may find many useful chinks in the Persian armour to exploit, and eventually take it apart. In which case may Ahura Mazda help Iran live on through such a black day.	
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the Persian Shah Xerxes once boasted, "The Sun shall not shine on no land that is not our own." This would be no empty boast, given the immense power controlled by the Achaemenidai, who are by far the greatest power of the known world. Forming a massive empire stretching across from Aigyptos all the way to the borders of the Indian lands, the Achaemenidai rule over some of the most fertile lands on earth as well as myriads of subjects, eager to do the King of King's will. Only the most well-prepared and resolute of foes can hope to face the massive Achaemenid war machine .... and hope to survive.
Of course, this abundance alas is their weakness. In spite of their great size, the Achaemenid war machine is but made up of different parts. And not all parts work perfectly. A wise commander, taking advantage of the dissension amongst the subject-nations of the Persians (and the tensions between the Persians themselves) may find many useful chinks in the Persian armour to exploit, and eventually take it apart. In which case may Ahura Mazda help Iran live on through such a black day.	
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the Persian Shah Xerxes once boasted, "The Sun shall not shine on no land that is not our own." This would be no empty boast, given the immense power controlled by the Achaemenidai, who are by far the greatest power of the known world. Forming a massive empire stretching across from Aigyptos all the way to the borders of the Indian lands, the Achaemenidai rule over some of the most fertile lands on earth as well as myriads of subjects, eager to do the King of King's will. Only the most well-prepared and resolute of foes can hope to face the massive Achaemenid war machine .... and hope to survive.
Of course, this abundance alas is their weakness. In spite of their great size, the Achaemenid war machine is but made up of different parts. And not all parts work perfectly. A wise commander, taking advantage of the dissension amongst the subject-nations of the Persians (and the tensions between the Persians themselves) may find many useful chinks in the Persian armour to exploit, and eventually take it apart. In which case may Ahura Mazda help Iran live on through such a black day.	
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the Persian Shah Xerxes once boasted, "The Sun shall not shine on no land that is not our own." This would be no empty boast, given the immense power controlled by the Achaemenidai, who are by far the greatest power of the known world. Forming a massive empire stretching across from Aigyptos all the way to the borders of the Indian lands, the Achaemenidai rule over some of the most fertile lands on earth as well as myriads of subjects, eager to do the King of King's will. Only the most well-prepared and resolute of foes can hope to face the massive Achaemenid war machine .... and hope to survive.
Of course, this abundance alas is their weakness. In spite of their great size, the Achaemenid war machine is but made up of different parts. And not all parts work perfectly. A wise commander, taking advantage of the dissension amongst the subject-nations of the Persians (and the tensions between the Persians themselves) may find many useful chinks in the Persian armour to exploit, and eventually take it apart. In which case may Ahura Mazda help Iran live on through such a black day.
Faction Type: EasternNational Bonuses:
*From Sunrise to Sunset : Scholars, peasants, merchants and tradesmen created instantly.
*Heirs of Babylon : Science research at the Library 20% cheaper. Tier 1 Healthcare is free.
*Imperialism : Start with a Large City. New cities you found become Large Cities.
*[Penalty] Lithoboloi all cost Wealth, and take twice as long to build as normal Lithoboloi.
Unique Units:
*City: Mobs
* : 
**Takabara [1, consumed by Gund-i Palta]
**Slingers [1-2]
* : 
**Gund-i Palta, Sab Shari, Composite Bowmen [1-2] 
* :
**Asabaran-i Madaen
**Spada Cavalry (lancer cavalry, is in essence the Achaemenid early shock cav line)
**Kynos
**Aspabara (medium horse archers)
* : 
**Khûveshâvagânê Shâhvâr, Kardakes
**Harmata Drepanephora
* :  Polemarkhos
* : Arteshtar-i Anusiyag, Khûveshâvagânê Sugdianavanig
* :  Lithobolos; Mantlet
* : War Boats, Dieres => Trieres (Persia has no access to Akation-class)
Persian infantry are known to be slow units, but the quality of their ranged units can't be questioned. Immortals and Gund-i-Palta fight more as medium units than light infantry.
Mercenaries:
* :  
**[Skythikoi]: Scythian Bowmen; Scythian Light Lancers; Scythian Horse Archers
**[Asiatikoi]: [Anatolian Warriors [1] => Kentronakan [2], Doryphoroi Pontikoi (one of these replaces Scythian Warriors)
* :
**[Sogdoi] Zubindar Sugdanavanig, Thanvar Sugdanavanig, Gund Sugdianavanig
**[Araboi]: Camels, skirmishers, spearmen, Dromedary Cataphracts
**[Indikoi]: War elephant
**[Cushoi]: Anatim Kushim, Kasatim Kushim, Lukhata Kushim
* :
**[Ioudaoi]: Judaean Slingers
**[Thracians]: Rhompaiophoroi, Peltastoi, Prodromoi
**[Hyrkanoi] Hyrkanoi Peltastoi , Hyrkanoi Pelekophoroi
**[Greeks]: Mistophoroi Hoplitai
* : 
**Parthikoi Hippotoxotes [1-2]
**Parthikoi Hippeis [1] => Parthikoi Kataphraktoi [2]	
Faction Type: EasternNational Bonuses:
*From Sunrise to Sunset : Scholars, peasants, merchants and tradesmen created instantly.
*Heirs of Babylon : Science research at the Library 20% cheaper. Tier 1 Healthcare is free.
*Imperialism : Start with a Large City. New cities you found become Large Cities.
*[Penalty] Lithoboloi all cost Wealth, and take twice as long to build as normal Lithoboloi.
Unique Units:
*City: Mobs
* : 
**Takabara [1, consumed by Gund-i Palta]
**Slingers [1-2]
* : 
**Gund-i Palta, Sab Shari, Composite Bowmen [1-2] 
* :
**Asabaran-i Madaen
**Spada Cavalry (lancer cavalry, is in essence the Achaemenid early shock cav line)
**Kynos
**Aspabara (medium horse archers)
* : 
**Khûveshâvagânê Shâhvâr, Kardakes
**Harmata Drepanephora
* :  Polemarkhos
* : Arteshtar-i Anusiyag, Khûveshâvagânê Sugdianavanig
* :  Lithobolos; Mantlet
* : War Boats, Dieres => Trieres (Persia has no access to Akation-class)
Persian infantry are known to be slow units, but the quality of their ranged units can't be questioned. Immortals and Gund-i-Palta fight more as medium units than light infantry.
Mercenaries:
* :  
**[Skythikoi]: Scythian Bowmen; Scythian Light Lancers; Scythian Horse Archers
**[Asiatikoi]: [Anatolian Warriors [1] => Kentronakan [2], Doryphoroi Pontikoi (one of these replaces Scythian Warriors)
* :
**[Sogdoi] Zubindar Sugdanavanig, Thanvar Sugdanavanig, Gund Sugdianavanig
**[Araboi]: Camels, skirmishers, spearmen, Dromedary Cataphracts
**[Indikoi]: War elephant
**[Cushoi]: Anatim Kushim, Kasatim Kushim, Lukhata Kushim
* :
**[Ioudaoi]: Judaean Slingers
**[Thracians]: Rhompaiophoroi, Peltastoi, Prodromoi
**[Hyrkanoi] Hyrkanoi Peltastoi , Hyrkanoi Pelekophoroi
**[Greeks]: Mistophoroi Hoplitai
* : 
**Parthikoi Hippotoxotes [1-2]
**Parthikoi Hippeis [1] => Parthikoi Kataphraktoi [2]	
Faction Type: EasternNational Bonuses:
*From Sunrise to Sunset : Scholars, peasants, merchants and tradesmen created instantly.
*Heirs of Babylon : Science research at the Library 20% cheaper. Tier 1 Healthcare is free.
*Imperialism : Start with a Large City. New cities you found become Large Cities.
*[Penalty] Lithoboloi all cost Wealth, and take twice as long to build as normal Lithoboloi.
Unique Units:
*City: Mobs
* : 
**Takabara [1, consumed by Gund-i Palta]
**Slingers [1-2]
* : 
**Gund-i Palta, Sab Shari, Composite Bowmen [1-2] 
* :
**Asabaran-i Madaen
**Spada Cavalry (lancer cavalry, is in essence the Achaemenid early shock cav line)
**Kynos
**Aspabara (medium horse archers)
* : 
**Khûveshâvagânê Shâhvâr, Kardakes
**Harmata Drepanephora
* :  Polemarkhos
* : Arteshtar-i Anusiyag, Khûveshâvagânê Sugdianavanig
* :  Lithobolos; Mantlet
* : War Boats, Dieres => Trieres (Persia has no access to Akation-class)
Persian infantry are known to be slow units, but the quality of their ranged units can't be questioned. Immortals and Gund-i-Palta fight more as medium units than light infantry.
Mercenaries:
* :  
**[Skythikoi]: Scythian Bowmen; Scythian Light Lancers; Scythian Horse Archers
**[Asiatikoi]: [Anatolian Warriors [1] => Kentronakan [2], Doryphoroi Pontikoi (one of these replaces Scythian Warriors)
* :
**[Sogdoi] Zubindar Sugdanavanig, Thanvar Sugdanavanig, Gund Sugdianavanig
**[Araboi]: Camels, skirmishers, spearmen, Dromedary Cataphracts
**[Indikoi]: War elephant
**[Cushoi]: Anatim Kushim, Kasatim Kushim, Lukhata Kushim
* :
**[Ioudaoi]: Judaean Slingers
**[Thracians]: Rhompaiophoroi, Peltastoi, Prodromoi
**[Hyrkanoi] Hyrkanoi Peltastoi , Hyrkanoi Pelekophoroi
**[Greeks]: Mistophoroi Hoplitai
* : 
**Parthikoi Hippotoxotes [1-2]
**Parthikoi Hippeis [1] => Parthikoi Kataphraktoi [2]	
Unique buildings:
*Metropole
*Eryma
The Achaemenidai can build all Wonders in Alexander, except for the following: Ammonium, Delphinion, Nekromanteion, Asklepeion, Nubian Pyramid, Neptunium, Awwam, Eikon Tou Dios
Upgrades:
The Achaemenidai have access to all upgrades with the exception of:
* 
* 
* 
Settlements:	Settlements:	Settlements:	Leaders:
*Parsa
*Susa 
*Bushahr 
*Tabriz 
*Baku  
*Kerman 
*Mashhad 
*Yazd 
*Arak 
*Sanandaj 
*Bam 
*Ecbatana 
*Arsinoe
*Balagrae	
*Damascus 
*Gaugemela
*Tehran 
*Meymand
*Neyshabur
*Turkoman
*Rasht
*Estahbanat
*Yasuj
*Rigan
*Khur
*Turud
*Arg-E-Bam
*Berenice	
*Babylon
*Hamedan
*Shiraz
*Pasargadae
*Isfahan
*Khomein
*Qon
*Samnan
*Meshed
*Quimisha
*Abadan
*Marvas
*Cyrene
*Taucheira
*Barce	
*Artaxerxes
*Xerxes
*Sogdianus
*Darius
*Bessus
*Spitamenes
*Memnon
*Spithridates
*Sabaces
*Rhoesaces
*Pharnabazus
*Artabazus
*Mazaeus
*Mithrobuzanes
Category:Persians