Lombard League

The Lombard League is a mighty allegience of the wealthy cities of Northern Italy. This allegience is represented frequently in Age of Empires II and Age of Empires II: The Conquerors.

History
The real Lombard League was formed between cities in Northern Italy in 1176, predominantly to act as a counter force to try to prevent the spreading of the Holy Roman Empire.

Age of Empires II
Many scenarios revolve around the cities of the Lombard League - particularly in the Barbarossa campaign.

Aquileia
Aquileia is an ancient city first founded by the Romans on the far north coast of the Adriatic Sea.

They are featured in the Fall of Rome level of the Attila the Hun campaign, and are represented by the colour red, and are of the Celts civilisation. They are the most northernmost team on the map, and begin building a Wonder near the beginning of the level. They occupy a small fortress defended by Fortified Wall, with numerous scattered buildings lying just outside the city wall. These are predominantly Military buildings like Barracks and Siege Workshops.

Aquileia predominantly train Spearman (later Pikemen), and Scorpions.

Milan
Milan was the leading city of the Lombard League. Barbarossa brought the destruction of most of the city during his conquest of northern Italy (this is played out during the campaign)

See the main article: Milan

Padua
Padua claims to be the oldest city in Italy, founded by the Trojans as early as 1180BC. The city suffered repeated attacks from various civilisations, and changed possession numerous times.

They are first featured in the Lombard League level of the Barbarossa campaign. They are represented by the colour green, and are of the Teutons civilisation. They have a large fortified city in the northern corner of the map, and are allied to Verona and Venice. Padua have the largest land army on the map, and attack Barbarossa's camp at the beginning of the level. They have Trebuchets, Onagers, Teutonic Knights and Cavaliers (later Paladins).

They are also seen in the Fall of Rome level of the Attila the Hun campaign. Represented by the colour purple, and (curiously) of the Britons civilisation. They are the closest team to Atilla at the start, and the first team to start building a Wonder. They are located in the center of the map, and are perhaps the most vulnerable team on the map, and (usually) the first to be defeated. They control a large army of Longbowmen and Scorpions.

Venice
Venice are only featured in the Lombard League level of the Barbarossa campaign. They possess a significant navy, and are spread across two landmasses; the first being a peninsular in the center of the map, and the second being a large island just a bit offshore. Venice has two Castles, Bombard Towers and trains Cannon Galleons (later Elite Cannon Galleons), Galleons and Janissaries.

Verona
Verona is one of the oldest cities in Italy, and has been in countless wars and battles.

They are seen in the Lombard League level of the Barbarossa campaign. They are perhaps the weakest of the three walled cities, but are very protected by the nearby cities of Padua and Venice. They do not begin with a Castle, but build one later on, and create numerous Teutonic Knights. They are represented by the colour yellow, and are of the Teuton civilisation.

They are also seen in the Fall of Rome level of the Attila the Hun campaign. They are represented by the colour orange, and are one of the last cities you come across in this level.