Barbarossa

Barbarossa is the name of an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The Barbarossa Campaign on Age of Empires II follows the emperor in his conquests in eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Holy Roman Emperor
The objective of this scenario is to claim dominance over the other European Duchies by claiming the Relics that each team possess. Barbarossa begins on an island in the center of the map, surrounded on all sides by various Central European enemies:
 * Austria (blue/Goths) - one of the weaker teams on the map, but their Relic is defended by a Castle. They are also close in proximity to the stronger teams of Bohemia and Bavaria.
 * Bavaria (green/Teutons) - one of the stronger teams on the map, they are relatively the counterparts of Saxony, having a small fort to the south.
 * Bohemia (cyan/Teutons) - begin off with negligible forces and a limited amount of villagers, but are the only team (besides you) to begin on the Castle Age, so build up quickly and become one of the more powerful opponents on the map. Their distant location also makes it difficult to attack them, as you have to trapse through Austria first.
 * Burgundy (purple/Franks) - they are one of the weakest opponents on the map, and the most easily accessible from your initial base, it is recommended you claim Burgundy's relic first. They are also the only Franks on the map.
 * Saxony (yellow/Teutons) - one of the stronger opponents on the map, they have a fortress to the north, guarded by Stone Wall.
 * Swabia (orange/Teutons) - one of the weaker teams on the map, their army is predominantly Spearmen and Knights.

There is also a Mongol encampment to the far north that will ally with you for 200 gold.

Henry the Lion
Barbarossa must defeat Poland (Blues/Goths) who reside in a scattered non-nucleated base in the east of the map. Barbarossa is allied with Saxony, Bavaria and Henry the Lion. Henry the Lion quickly changes to enemy, and his large army will make things difficult, but he can be defeated. Saxony and Bavaria provide you with resources, as you begin with no villagers. However, villagers can be obtained from Henry the Lion, as there are several Gaia Villagers at the West side

Pope and Antipope
Barbarossa must convert the magnificent Cathedral in the Italian city of Milan (blue).

Allies are: Carcano (yellow) They are Teutons and start up with a small fort north-west of your forces. They field some Teutonic Knights and Scorpions. They will be attacked several times by River Guard (purple).

Enemies are: Milan (blue) They are Teutons and have a big city in the south-west. They field Teutonic Knights, Hand Canoneers, and Monks.

River Guard (purple) They are franks and have two bases from which they send Throwing axeman, skirmishers (later elite skirmishers), bombard cannons. They send transport ships and land their forces north of the Carcano base. They will also send war galleys (later Galleons) and cannon galleons against Carcano's and your docks.

Crema (green) They are Britons and have a small village south-east. They start with a few Pikemen and archers.

Tactics: Since you start with no villagers, you will need to convert some from Crema. Send your forces down they quickly to take out their soldiers and the use your monks to convert their villagers. Use the villagers to build up a base. (My advice is to build up a castle fast since you will need many Teutonic Knights to defeat the River Guard (purple) and Milan (blue) in order to make your way to the Milanese Cathedral)

Build later several docks to build a navy and start attacking the River Guard (purple). Use Transport Ships to send units and attack their by by land too. If you manage to attack them early, you might halt their attacks on Carcano (yellow). Once you have defeated the River Guard (purple), only the city of Milan (blue) remains. Use Siege weapons and Teutonic Knights to destroy their walls and enter the city. To easier defeat them, build up a small base on their side of the river from where you can send unites faster (Among the buildings you should have a castle and a monastery) Once you have defeated Milans army, send in a monk to convert the Cathedral and you will win the scenario.

The Lombard League
Barbarossa must construct a Wonder in one of the Lombard League cities. The opponents in this mission are:
 * Padua (green), the largest army on the map, they launch an attack on Barbarossa at the beginning of this mission using Trebuchets, Paladins and Teutonic Knights, amongst other powerful units. Their fortified city is in the northern corner of the map.
 * Venice (purple) - situated in the center of the map, with a large fortress on the mainland, with a Castle and large army on an island offshore. They have the largest navy on the map.
 * Verona (yellow) - the smallest city on the map, they lack a Castle to begin with, though build one relatively quickly. They are protected by the practically adjacent city of Padua, and are the furthest away opponent.

Henry the Lion also features in this level, betraying Barbarossa as he did in the second level of the campaign.

Barbarossa's March
Barbarossa must sail across the Sea of Marmara to reach the Hospitallers camp in the south. He must threaten Constantinople (blue/Byzantines) in order to use its navy. You do not have any villagers on this level.

A very hard mission, use your troops with extreme care.

The Emperor Sleeping
Barbarossa's army must get the deceased Emperor Barbarossa's body (hidden in a pickle barrel) to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. He encounters Saladin and the enemy city of Damascus along the way, and is allied with Richard the Lionheart (orange/Britons)