Bronze Age

Bronze Age
Age
Availability
Introduced in	Age of Empires
Civilization	All civilizations
Age number	3
Preceded by	Tool Age
Followed by	Iron Age
Required buildings	Two of the following: Archery Range Market Stable
Research
Researched at	Town Center
Food	800
Time	140 seconds

The Bronze Age is the third Age in Age of Empires, following the Tool Age and preceding the Iron Age. It is characterized by the increased use of bronze and other metals through the discovery of new smelting techniques upon the discovery of copper ore. This age is also notable for competition between players for natural resources such as gold, introduction of more complex technologies, trade, colonization and beginning of imperial expansion. A more expanded technology tree allows for a wider range of military units and more developed tactics. It also represents the development of a stronger centralized government. To reach this age, 800 food is required.

Buildings available

• Academy
• Siege Workshop
• Temple
• Government Center
• Additional Town Center
• Medium Wall
• Medium Gate
• Sentry Tower

Units available

• Short Swordsman at Barracks
• Broad Swordsman at Barracks
• Improved Bowman at Archery Range
• Composite Bowman at Archery Range
• Chariot Archer at Archery Range (Prerequisites Wheel)
• Chariot at Stable (Prerequisites Wheel)
• Cavalry at Stable
• Camel Rider at Stable (Rise of Rome)
• Hoplite at Academy
• Stone Thrower at Siege Workshop
• Priest at Temple
• Trade Cart at Market
• Fishing Ship at Docks
• Merchant Ship at Docks
• War Galley at Docks

Civilization bonuses

• Greeks: Advancing to the Bronze Age is 10% faster.

History

“	Characterized by competition for valuable resources, increasingly sophisticated technologies, metalworking, trade, colonization, centralized government, institutionalized religion, highly organized military systems, and conquest.	”
—Age of Empires manual

The Bronze Ages are known by historians as a period of time where civilizations become more centralized and urbanized due to a surplus of food through extensive farming. This historical period features use of metal materials which allows new technologies to be developed. The most notable feature to this time period is the development of written languages and the invention of the wheel.

Gallery

Bronze Age East Asian architecture set

Bronze Age Egyptian architecture

Bronze Age Greek architecture

Bronze Age Mesopotamian architecture

Bronze Age Roman architecture

Bronze Age East Asian architecture before the Definitive Edition

Bronze Age Egyptian architecture before the Definitive Edition

Bronze Age Greek architecture before the Definitive Edition

Bronze Age Mesopotamian architecture before the Definitive Edition

Bronze Age Roman architecture before the Definitive Edition