Total War: Rome II - Syracuse (Colonial Kingdom Greek) Faction, on DLC Hannibal at the Gates

Syracuse



“Sovereignty, Science, Wealth”

Syracuse is no stranger to war, fiercely championing its independence throughout its long, bloody history. A string of tyrannical leaders dominate that history, defending Syracusan sovereignty against fellow Greeks, Carthaginians and threats from within through a series of treacherous and gruelling wars.

In spite of these trials, it has become renowned throughout the ancient world as a centre for culture and science: as home to a great theatre and inventors such as Archimedes, who resides there currently. Syracuse is also a wealthy state, profiting from its prime position in the central Mediterranean.

Despite this, there are still those who would see the Syracusans brought to heel; both Rome and Carthage have reasons to mistrust them. Although the tyrant Hiero II aided Carthage against Rome in the opening stages of their first war, he later made peace with the Romans, entering into an alliance that is still in place to this day. However, Rome wishes to extend its domination to the whole of the Italian peninsula, including the island of Sicily on which Syracuse sits. Ultimately, either regional superpower would like to count Syracuse amongst its possessions. And, now that Carthage and Rome are at war once again, it stands on a precipice between them; will the alliance with Rome hold true, or will Syracuse forge its own destiny?

Progress is a core principle to Syracuse and as such, wealth and scientific breakthroughs come easily to the city-state. However, where prosperity leads, avarice often follows, and provinces under Syracusan control suffer from a notable level of corruption.

Total War: Rome II - Lusitani (Iberian) Faction, on DLC Hannibal at the Gates

Lusitani

“Unity, Agility, Faith”

The Lusitani lived in Iberia long before Carthage and Rome disturbed the region, and they will remain long after their oppressors have left. They are, like their distant cousins the Suebi, not a single clan but a confederation of smaller tribes, working together for defensive purposes and mutual gain.

The Lusitani are fierce and agile warriors, suited to guerrilla warfare – making them excellent light infantry mercenaries – and their women are known to fight alongside the men, such is the fierceness of their culture.

Originating from the Douro valley in what is now Portugal, the Lusitani gradually spread south, eventually reaching and settling on either side of the Tagus river. The Lusitanian pantheon was very diverse, though they primarily worshipped Endovelicus, god of the people's welfare, as their chief deity. Ataegina was also popular, particularly in the south, as the goddess of nature and fertility. Like many other cultures of the time, the Lusitani were known to sacrifice animals in tribute to their gods.
As Hannibal's Carthaginian army marches through lands previously controlled by Rome, there is opportunity for the Lusitani to expand beyond their bounds to claim back Iberia from its invaders. However, though there may be prudence in caution, even fraternisation, with the enemy at first, eventually they must be expelled from the land!
A proud tribal people, the Lusitani place great stock in the act of sacrifice, and even the lowliest Lusitani recruit fights with greater savagery than his rank might imply. However, their cultural pride prevents them from empathising well with other factions at the diplomacy table.

Total War: Rome II - (Celtiberian) Arevaci Faction, on DLC Hannibal at the Gates

Arevaci




“Alliance, Conquest, Pride”

The Arevaci are a warlike people. From their Celtic origins in northern central Iberia, they have expanded east and southwest through migration and conquest, displacing a number of other tribes in the process.

Their capital is Numantia, east of the great 'Meseta Central' plateau that runs through the heart of Iberia. The region's topography lends itself to the mass 'transhumance', or livestock migration, to the grassy lowlands of the Ebro valley, which provides the Arevaci's chief food supply. Chiefly a militaristic society, they also hold the rite of 'excarnation', the practice of leaving dead warriors' bodies on their funeral litters so flesh and organs can be stripped by vultures.

By the middle of the 3rd century BC, Roman and Carthaginian expansionism has brought both to the Arevaci's door, although it is now Hannibal's grand mercenary army that shares their border. This places difficult choices before them; both superpowers have interfered in Iberia for far too long, yet it is not possible to take on Rome and Carthage at the same time, despite the Arevaci's knowledge of the terrain, their superb fighting prowess, and alliances with other tribal peoples. For now, they maintain their neutrality, but it cannot last. Someone must control the Iberian peninsula, could it be the Arevaci?
The noble horsemen of the Arevaci are proud warriors, and are noted for fighting with great conviction. However, the Arevaci’s sense of unity with other local tribes can be a double-edged sword. While they treat well with fellow Iberian factions, their people abhor the presence of foreign cultures, the proximity of which can cause significant public order problems.

Total War Rome II DLC Hannibal at the Gates Campaign Pack

Think of a badass. Any badass. It’s Hannibal, isn’t it? We’re delighted to announce the next major Campaign Pack DLC for Total War: ROME II will be Hannibal at the Gates, available March 27th.

Dropping you into the Western Mediterranean at the outbreak of the 2nd Punic War, Hannibal at the Gates features a new campaign map focused on the period that brought the ancient-world superpowers of Rome and Carthage to all-out war.
One of the most famous in history, the conflict demonstrated the tactical genius of great rival generals Scipio and Hannibal. Can you recreate their remarkable strategies, or can you do better? How will you change history?
You enter the war as Carthage or Rome, command the noble Hellenic city-state of Syracuse, or, for the first time in ROME II, play an Iberian faction as the Arevaci or the Lusitani
Focussing on the western Mediterranean at the outbreak of the 2nd Punic War, this Campaign Pack features 19 provinces dotted with resources, new settlements, new provincial capitals and new factions.

The major powers of the time, Rome and Carthage, begin at loggerheads but with a number of key regions and client states under their control. Syracuse, the Arevaci and the Lusitani all start with a single region, offering a significantly different and more formidable challenge than playing as one of the two great empires.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM5qUVV7gh8

Total War: ROME II - Beasts of War DLC pack available!

 Marshall your savagery, and strike primal fear into the hearts of your enemies with the Beasts of War unit pack for ROME II. Comprising seven new battlefield units, Beasts of War brings further variety to ROME II’s already diverse unit roster.
Terrorise your enemies and slow their progress with beehive, scorpion and snake-pot ballistas, or crush them under the weight of heavily-armoured Cataphract Camels and Mercenary Syrian Armoured Elephants. And when their will is broken and they flee the field, run them down with two new breeds of ferocious war-dogs.
Beasts of War brings introduces the following recruitable units to ROME II:


• Molossian Dogs

Can be recruited by: Epirus


A heavily muscled beast from western Greece, the now-extinct Molossian is considered to be the predecessor of many of today’s larger breeds, such as the Rottweiler and Great Dane. Used as both a guard dog and in battle, Virgil remarked “never, with them on guard, need you fear for your stalls a midnight thief, or onslaught of wolves, or Iberian brigands at your back.” These vicious dogs do not tire easily, and never lose the scent of an enemy.

• Beehive Onager

Can be recruited by: Athens, Epirus, Macedon, Sparta, and Syracuse

Whilst large-scale beekeeping for agricultural purposes was a later innovation, the humble honeybee nevertheless held an important place in ancient Greek culture. A trio of mythical nymphs, the Thriae or ‘bee maidens’, were loved by Apollo and Poseidon, bearing their children. Bees also have a practical application in battle, as a swarm of angry bees will always cause troops to stall and panic.




• Scorpion Pot Ballista

Can be recruited by: Pontus, Parthia

Home to the most lethal scorpions in the known world, whose sting can paralyse and kill a man within an hour, it was only a matter of time before a wily Middle Eastern general used them against his enemies. Spare a thought, then, for the Roman emperor Severus; whilst besieging the Parthian city of Hatra, his army was showered with pots of scorpions from atop the city walls. Like Trajan before him, Severus failed to breach the defences, even after two attempts.


• Snake Pot Ballista

Can be recruited by: Carthage

Perhaps the most famous use of potted animals was Hannibal Barca’s tactic against the fleets of Eumenes II of Pergamon. Hurling large clay pots full of venomous snakes onto the decks of Eumenes’ ships; he panicked the enemy fleet and won the day. Any unit struck by writhing, venomous snakes will pause to consider the wisdom of marching onwards!



• Camel Cataphracts

Can be recruited by: Parthia

The Roman general Macrinus was not noted for his experience, although had another fought the Battle of Nisbis in 217 AD, it’s hard to imagine he’d be any less stunned by the Parthian cataphract camels fielded that day. Wearing coats of tough, yet flexible, scale-mail, they made an awesome and terrifying sight as they punched through the frontlines and spooked the Roman horses with their camels’ earthy stench.



• Celtic Warhounds

Can be recruited by: Iceni, Cantiaci, Caledones, Demetae, Dunmonii, Brigantes, and Ebdani


Dogs have always been useful for guard, patrol and scout work. With skilled handlers they can also be used effectively on the battlefield. Attack dogs were specifically bred and trained to ignore the noise and chaos of combat. The Celtic tribes of the late Iron Age put them to great use. Their speed and ferocity made them ideal shock-troops, and perfect for running down fleeing stragglers.



• Mercenary Syrian Armoured Elephants

Can be hired as mercenaries in: Dura, Antioch, Tyros, and Palmeira


Indian elephants first came to the Middle East when Seleucus, one of Alexander the Great’s Successors, invaded India in 305 BC. 500 war elephants were handed over as part of the peace treaty between the Seleucid dynasty and the Mauryans of India, and the Seleucids went on to breed many more from this initial stock. War elephants remained an important part of the Seleucid army until their defeat by the Romans at Magnesia in 190 BC, following which they were forbidden from breeding more.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oe3WJL4Qw

A User’s Guide to ROME II GRAND CAMPAIGN POLITICS - Final Part: The End of Politics: Civil War

By now it should be fairly evident that playing the political game is about maintaining the balance of Influence. Left unchecked, it is possible for stability to deteriorate to a point where there is too big of a skew in the amount of political power held between the parties, causing a civil war. This event involves the emergence of a new enemy faction, coming about via a coup d’état that will either occur at your faction capital, or far away from it. In either case, this enemy faction will have appeared as a direct result of the opposition to your party's rule within your faction; they will always hate you, will never engage in any diplomacy with you, and will always try to capture or hold the faction capital if the coup did not originate there.  
Politics has greater importance in the last few Imperium levels, because this is when a civil war becomes an increasing possibility. As your empire grows, it will become more difficult to maintain stability within your faction. By the time you reach full Imperium, you will need to keep a very close eye on Influence levels because fluctuations may be more extreme. Also, keep in mind that you may not always be able to recruit a general from a party which will help in that respect, so it helps to be a little pro-active if you are trying to avoid internal war. If you have too much power you will end up having to fight a civil war against separatists; too little and it will be against those scheming to take advantage of your political weakness in an attempt to oust you, snatching the leadership for themselves. You don’t want this to occur when you are in control of a delicately balanced empire, possibly fighting wars on multiple fronts. Therefore, as the final bit of advice – use the early game to learn how politics can help you. Once your empire has grown and you reach the late game, actively try to keep the balance. Alternatively, you can purposely destroy the balance as much as possible. This would force the opposing party out so you can crush them, after which your faction will have achieved ‘political peace’. At least for the time being...

A User’s Guide to ROME II GRAND CAMPAIGN POLITICS - Part 10: Spread Rumours and Political Events

Spread Rumours
Spreading rumours has the effect of discrediting a target, causing him to be held in lesser regard. This action causes his Gravitas to be reduced at a financial cost, which increases the higher that character's original Gravitas level. 
Political Events
From time to time, you will receive event messages detailing certain political actions being taken by opposition parties. For instance, they may be trying to adopt one of your characters or spread rumours about you. At these times you will be given the option to respond in various ways at a political and/or financial cost. You can block adoptions, or even counteract rumours to take the above examples, amongst other political counter-tactics depending on the action taken.