Below is the second in a series of articles from Mark McLaughlin showcasing the 16 civilizations in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East. You can find the first article here.
“One this day, when One was in Akhetaten, His Majesty appeared on the great chariot of electrum. Setting off on a good road toward Akhetaten, His place of creation, which He made for Himself that He might set within it every day. There was presented a great offering to the Father, The Aten, consisting of bread, beer, long- and short-horned cattle, calves, fowl, wine, fruits, incense, all kinds of fresh green plants, and everything good.”
from a boundary stele at Akhenaten
Egypt is the only civilization in the game that spans all four Epochs – nearly 4,000 years of history. Second in age only to Sumer, it is one of the few civilizations in history to get a second, let alone a third, and even fourth chance to survive. Conquered at least three times and liberated twice, Egypt in effect conquered its penultimate conquerors, turning the heirs of Alexander’s General Ptolemy into pharoahs. The Ptolemies would reign for over 250 years until the last of their line, Cleopatra, succumbed to the Romans.
In the game, Egypt has the Fertile Areas of the Nile and nearby Seas to spur growth. Their civilization bonuses in disks and mina mirror Egyptian’s ability to predict when the Nile would flood – and make the best use of that knowledge – as well as their access to trade with the interior of East Africa. The deserts to either side are both a barrier to invaders and a highway for trade. Although seemingly protected in its corner of the map, Egypt is also vulnerable to two of the four major invasion Events: Desert Raiders and Invaders from the Sea.
For more about Egypt see:
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-egypt
Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Sumerians
Author: Mark McLaughlin
I should hope that’s not final art! “Reed Sea?” LOL
Sorry. That just amuses me to no end.
I’m sure the game will look fantastic, and it’s already sounding fantastic. Keep these updates coming please!
thanks for following and liking the updates…many more to come…at least one a week for the next 4 months…14 more civs (Sumeria and Egypt were just the first two) plus a piece on the civs of the scenarios (Rome/Pontics/Parthians) and one on those in the Legend of Rostam scenario….
the map is my hand-painted playtest map…which will go to a real artist, have no fear
as for the Red and Reed Seas, both will remain, as they are correct:
the Reed Sea and the Red Sea were distinct bodies of water….Moses parted the former….
1 Kings 9:26
“And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.”
Moses, however, crossed at the “Reed Sea” or “Sea of Reeds” – a papyrus lake north of the Red Sea
In Hebrew, though, the body of water is called “Yam Suf” (ים סוף), which literally means, “Sea of Reeds.”
The idea that the so-called “Red Sea” was actually a “Reed Sea” is known in Jewish tradition. Rashi (1040-1105) states that the sea was not the large inlet of the Indian Ocean that we call the “Red Sea,” but rather a “pond” or “marsh” (אגם) filled with “reeds” (קנים). Rashi’s note aligns with the ancient Egyptian word sufi, which described the marshlands of the Egyptian Delta.
https://weekly.israelbiblecenter.com/red-sea-reed-sea/
Red Sea or Reed Sea? – Israel Bible Weekly
And I’ve since been corrected that this is actually true. My apologies.
Thanks, Mark!
But ok, this was weird. I came here after receiving the email with your response and your comment wasn’t showing here.
Then I post this comment…and it suddenly is here!
I think I’m just having a bad day.
thank you for your very kind preview of the ACME game…i reposted it on facebook, and will ask Rachel at GMT to post a link on the GMT blog page…if that is ok with you?
the rulebook and playbook are done, but we decided not to post them until they have gone through the layout and art process…otherwise all you get is 100 pages of double-space type (the rules are no longer than ACIS, and are 90% the same…just differ with dieties instead of wonders – and how you capture them from your enemies and drag them back to your temple.oh,, and terrain (with stronghold cubes in mountains) and bonuses in the fertile areas. the playbook is the same thing, solo rules, scenarios, set ups etc…..
if you have any questions – or if you want a playtest set, let me know and I can send you stuff to print out (rules, playbook, cards, civ displays, player aid cards, even the map ..which you can have printed at a staples or such….oh, and ps..where do you live? I am in New Hampshire…and, oh, double PS: happy thanksgiving!
Hi Mark
Thanks for the kind words about the post! I certainly don’t mind it being posted anywhere that you think it would help.
I appreciate the offer and I will definitely think about it. Thank you so much.
I’m originally from Iowa, but I’m up in Vancouver, British Columbia now. So I was (happily?) at work today. 🙂
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving, though!