Greeks (Age of Empires)

This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires. For their appearance in Age of Mythology, see Greeks (Age of Mythology).

Civilization	Technology tree	Strategy

Template:Infobox Civilization

“	If you men think that I rely on numbers, then all Greece is not sufficient, for it is but a small fraction of their numbers; but if on men's valour, then this number will do	”
—Leonidas I

The Greeks are a playable civilizations in Age of Empires, and are primarily an offensive civilization. The Greeks are based in the speed of their units, and are very strong at the beginning of the match. Their Academy units are 30% faster and their warships are 17% faster.

The Greeks are a culture that has existed over 9000 years. Even though we know them as "Greeks", they call themselves the "Hellenic". Greek culture developed on its majority at southeast Europe, and rather than being a united nation, it was divided in several city-states.

The Greeks are represented in the first main campaign story-line, which details their expansion from out of the last Ice Age into the city-states and finally under the banner of Alexander the Great.

Features

• Academy units have +30% speed and are 20% cheaper
• War ships have +20% speed
• Town Centers work 10% faster starting in the Tool Age.

History

In the ancient world, Ancient Greeks were a major trade and colonial power, setting up colonies in Italy, Cyprus and Asia Minor (now modern-day Turkey). The Greeks fought mostly in large Hoplite armies, and were famous for their army formations. The Greeks played a major role in the ancient world, possibly saving Europe from invasions by Persia along with contributing towards most of the ancient philosophy, mathematics, and other sciences known worldwide today. The Greeks resided in city states that constantly competed for power, especially between the city states of Athens and Sparta. After the Peloponnesian wars, Athens and Sparta (greatly weakened by their conflict) were annexed by Macedonia. Greek civilization would reach its peak under Alexander the Great, who conquered most of the known world. His empire, though, was only as strong as he was, and after he died it quickly fragmented and lost power. The Greeks were eventually conquered by the Romans a few centuries later, and were largely assimilated into their culture.

Greek influence did not die there, however; the Romans borrowed heavily from Greece, including architecture, religious basis, and military tactics. The Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire is commonly referred to as the Greek half of Rome.

Changelog

Original game

• Ships are 17% faster.

Definitive Edition

• Academy units cost 20% less.
• Ships are 20% faster.
• With update 38862, Town Centers work 10% faster starting in the Tool Age. This affects both Villager creation and aging up. and get access to the Fire Galley.

AI Player Names

Names shown in italics are only used in the original game, names shown in bold are used in both the original game and its expansions.

• Alexander (Ἀλέξανδρος) - The most famous is Alexander (III) the Great, king of Macedon 336-323 BC
• Achilles (Ἀχιλλεύς) - Greek Hero of the Trojan War
• Pericles (Περικλῆς) - Athenian general (strategos), lived 495-429 BC
• Miltiades (Μιλτιάδης) - Athenian general (strategos), lived c. 550-489 BC
• Leonidas (Λεωνίδας) - King of Sparta, ruled 489-480 BC
• Themistocles (Θεμιστοκλῆς) - Athenian general (strategos), lived c. 524-459 BC
• Alexander II (Ἀλέξανδρος Β΄) - King of Macedon 371-369 BC; King of Epirus 272-242 BC
• Lysander (Λύσανδρος) - Spartan admiral, lived ?-395 BC
• Alcibiades (Ἀλκιβιάδης) - Athenian general (strategos), later with Spartan allegiance, lived c. 450-404 BC
• Cleon (Κλέων) - Athenian general (strategos), lived ?-422 BC