The Siege of Syracuse (named Syracuse in the original) is the third scenario of the The Rise of Rome campaign in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome. It depicts the eponymous siege during the Second Punic War.
Scenario instructions[]
Description[]
| “ | Syracuse, 214 to 212 BCE Roman power is threatened. The Carthaginian general Hannibal has crossed the Alps into Italy. His successes have incited factions in Syracuse to break the city's long-standing alliance with Rome—an alliance formed with the defeat of Pyrrhus. Though no general of Syracuse compares to Hannibal, take care when besieging that wealthy city. The great engineer and inventor Archimedes has constructed wondrous methods of defense against both land and sea attacks. Although he is an advisor to Rome's enemies, he must be captured alive. Take Syracuse but preserve the life of Archimedes, as he will be useful to us. |
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| —In-game section | ||
| “ | 213 to 211 BC The second war with Carthage has been underway since Hannibal crossed the Alps into Italy 10 years ago. The arrival and success of Hannibal has encouraged the people of Syracuse to rebel against our Roman rule. You are to lead a force south and recapture the city. Entering the city, however, will prove difficult, as the great mathematician Archimedes has helped Syracuse develop a unique and powerful system of defenses against both land and sea attacks. Although he is a military advisor for our enemies, Archimedes is well-respected by the republic. You are under strict orders not to kill him in the course of the attack. Take Syracuse but preserve the life of Archimedes who might be useful to us. |
” |
| —In-game section | ||
Starting conditions[]
- Starting Age:
Iron Age - Starting resources: 200 food, 400 wood, 200 gold, 600 stone (500 stone in the original)
- Population limit: 50
- Starting units:
Objectives[]
- Place 10 Roman Legion units in the Syracuse forum (raised area marked by two yellow flags).
- Do not kill Archimedes (Priest).
- Place 10 Roman Legion units in the Syracuse forum (a raised area marked by two yellow flags). Do not kill Archimedes (an old man).
Hints[]
- Beware Archimedes' powerful towers. If you must face them, attack them in great numbers.
- Use Catapults only when necessary as the area of effect damage of their stones could accidentally kill Archimedes.
- Beware Archimedes' powerful towers. If you must face them, attack them in great numbers.
- Use catapults only when necessary, for the area of effect of their stones could accidentally kill Archimedes.
Players[]
Player[]
- Player ( Romans): The player starts in the eastern corner of the map with a small island base, a military force, and a large fleet.
Enemies[]
- Syracuse ( Carthaginians): The red Syracusian army consists a large force Post-Iron Age of elephant units and Heavy Cavalry, and a large fleet of which the Fire Triremes are the most dangerous foes. They own few buildings and have no economy except for Fishing Ships. They train ships, however.
- Syracuse ( Macedonians): The yellow Syracusian army owns almost all buildings of Syracuse - including Mirror Towers - and consists of Post-Iron Age elephant units, Ballistae, and a large fleet. They have no economy except for Fishing Ships. They train ships, however.
- Olympieum ( Greeks, Assyrians before the Definitive Edition): Olympieum has a small base with a dock and some houses in the southern corner of the map, defended by few Axemen and a Watch Tower. They have no economy.
Strategy[]
The Mirror Towers protecting the city from the sea are extremely hard-hitting, and have longer range than any of your siege units. If you can't avoid them, send a large fleet of at least a dozen Catapult Triremes along with some Triremes for cannon fodder - extreme force is your only chance.
Destroying the brown player's Docks could be a mistake, as they're lightly defended, and are suited for trading. Sending a few Merchant Ships could guarantee a steady supply of gold.
When you have enough resources, ship some Villagers and soldiers to the open area west of Syracuse, and start building troop-producing buildings. Legions and Catapults can tear the city apart. Once you locate the forum, send your Legions there - but make sure that nothing harms Archimedes, he has very few hit points. Note that even if the player switches diplomatic stance towards the yellow player to neutral, Archimedes will still be targeted automatically since he is a military unit. Hence, it is a good idea to either keep all ranged units away from Archimedes, or simply convert him. However, the player must be alert when converting Archimedes, since his own subjects (yellow) may kill him after his color changes to the player's. It is worth noting that an enemy Catapult is located atop a cliff close to the forum where Archimedes is, whose projectile may accidentally kill Archimedes, so the player may consider dealing with it. It is wise to ensure that yellow has no military units around before attempting to convert Archimedes.
History[]
Historical notes[]
| “ | Following Rome's victory over Pyrrhus, the growing Republic continued its southward expansion, seizing control of Southern Italy. Roman designs on the island of Sicily, settled by Greek colonists, brought the Republic into conflict with Carthage, a maritime power based on the coast of modern-day Tunisia. In the ensuing First Punic War (264–241 BCE), Rome was victorious, seizing control of Sicily save for Rome's ally, the city of Syracuse, and emerging as the preeminent land and naval power in the central Mediterranean. Carthage would attempt to reassert herself during the Second Punic War (218–202 BCE). The general Hannibal led an army from Hispania (modern Spain and Portugal), across both Gaul and the Alps, to invade Italy. Hannibal was immensely successful, destroying multiple Roman armies sent against him, but lacked the siege equipment to take the city of Rome itself. Nevertheless, his successes encouraged many southern cities with primarily Greek and Italic populations to defect from Roman rule. Although Syracuse had been a long-time Roman ally during the reign of King Hiero Il, a former general of Pyrrhus, his teenage grandson and successor, Hieronymus, held no such loyalties. Though Hieronymus was soon assassinated in a coup, the pro-Carthaginian factions within Syracuse had decided the city's fate—Rome sent a fleet forth to take Syracuse. The famed inventor, engineer, and mathematician Archimedes lived in Syracuse and aided the city's defense. Legends tell that he constructed hexagonal mirrors that focused the sun's rays to set alight Roman ships, and great swinging claws that could lift ships out of the water by their rams and drop them back to the water, smashed like toys. Against these devices and the natural defenses of the Sicilian shore, the Romans were bogged down into a lengthy siege, but were ultimately victorious. Although the Roman commander, Marcus Marcellus, had ordered that Archimedes be spared, the great inventor would not survive the battle. As the Romans took the city, Archimedes retired to his studies but was disturbed by a Roman soldier. Archimedes protested the interruption and commanded the soldier to leave. The nameless Roman soldier, perhaps unaware of the man's identity, killed Archimedes. The Roman writer Plutarch tells us that Marcellus was greatly distressed when he learned of the pointless death of the Greek genius—one of the greatest minds the world had ever known. |
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| —In-game section | ||
| “ | The Carthaginians launched the Second Punic War (218- 202 BC) from Spain by marching across southern France and invading Italy from the north across the Alps. The Carthaginians were led by Hannibal, a brilliant commander. After failing to defeat Hannibal and twice suffering tremendous casualties at his hands, the Romans adopted the strategy of avoiding open battle with the great Carthaginian leader. This left the countryside to the mercy of Hannibal and caused many southern cities to defect. Syracuse, the principal city of Sicily, revolted. An army and navy under Marcellus was sent south to reassert control of the city. The great mathematician Archimedes resided there at the time and aided the defense. Legends tell of hexagonal mirrors that focused the sun's rays and set alight Roman ships and other weapons. Archimedes probably provided plans for some novel and effective machines for Syracuse's defense, such as swinging claws that could drop rocks on attacking ships, or even lift the ships out of the water by their rams. At first, these machines and the natural defenses of the Sicilian shore proved too much for the attacking Romans, and the city was conquered only after a prolonged and plague-ridden siege. Before his death, which occurred during the Syracuse revolt, Archimedes made important contributions to geometry and fluid dynamics, and discovered the principles of specific gravity. |
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| —In-game section | ||
Victory[]
| “ | The victory over Syracuse reminds the Greeks of Sicily that Rome will punish treachery. Hannibal's efforts to spread rebellion have failed and his rampage through Italy has been slowed. Now, spies tell the Senate that Hannibal has called for reinforcements. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
| “ | Rome congratulates you for quelling the rebellion in Syracuse. You have sent a clear message to other cities in the south. Rebellion will not be tolerated. The widespread revolt that Hannibal hoped for will not occur. We hear, however, that he has called for reinforcements. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Loss[]
| “ | Your failure to retake Syracuse and the heavy losses you sustained have infuriated the leaders of Rome. More of our old foes have been inspired to join the Carthaginians in this war. Our list of enemies grows daily. The next time you encounter a Carthaginian War Elephant, we suggest you kick it in a sensitive spot and take your medicine. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Gallery[]
Scenario start conditions
Scenario Instructions
Triremes attacking one of the Mirror Towers of the scenario
