What if the legions of Rome never faltered? What if, instead of crumbling into dust, the Roman Eagle soared through the millennia, its shadow falling across the Atomic Era? This is a question that has captivated historians and strategy gamers alike. In the world of Civilization 6, where history is a canvas for players to repaint, this scenario is not just a fantasy but a strategic challenge to be mastered. According to the player community, imagining a Rome that seamlessly transitioned from antiquity to the modern age is one of the most compelling alternate history scenarios. This guide delves deep into the strategic implications of an unfallen Roman Empire in the Atomic Era, offering a comprehensive analysis of its potential strengths, weaknesses, and unique gameplay mechanics.
The Unfallen Empire: A New Dawn
Analysis on forums shows that for a modern Roman Empire to be plausible, a key point of divergence from our timeline is necessary. Many professional gamers suggest that the most logical turning point would be the reign of a more successful and long-lived emperor, such as a hypothetical Aurelian who survives his historical assassination. This would have allowed the Empire to stabilize, consolidate its borders, and avoid the catastrophic Third Century Crisis. In this timeline, Rome would have entered the medieval and renaissance periods as a unified, technologically advanced powerhouse.
Rome’s Enduring Legacy: Civilization Abilities in the Modern Era
In this “what if” scenario, Rome’s classic abilities would evolve. “All Roads Lead to Rome” would not just be about ancient roads but a global trade network, with Roman-built highways and maglev trains crisscrossing continents. A popular strategy is to leverage this ability to create a global economic empire, with trade routes generating immense wealth and cultural influence.
- Golden Age Rome: In the Atomic Era, a Roman Golden Age would be a sight to behold. Instead of just increased loyalty, a Golden Age for this advanced Rome could unlock unique policy cards, such as “Pax Romana Globalis,” granting bonus amenities and trade route yields from every city-state you are suzerain of.
- The Roman Senate in the Modern Age: The Roman Senate, a source of political intrigue in antiquity, would have evolved into a sophisticated global governing body. In-game, this could be represented by a unique diplomatic ability, allowing Rome to propose special resolutions in the World Congress, such as “The Treaty of Rome,” which could enforce trade embargos on rival civilizations or establish global infrastructure projects.
Rome’s Atomic Arsenal: Doctrines and Strategies
An Atomic Era Rome would not just be a cultural or economic power; it would be a military titan. The player community suggests that Rome’s military doctrine would be a fascinating blend of ancient discipline and modern technology. The legions, once armed with gladius and scutum, would now be equipped with advanced weaponry, but their core principles of engineering, discipline, and overwhelming force would remain.
The Modern Legions: Unit Composition
A popular strategy is to focus on a combined-arms approach, mirroring the flexibility of the ancient legions.
- Praetorian Guard X: The iconic Praetorian Guard would be reimagined as a Mechanized Infantry unit with a unique promotion: “The Emperor’s Guard,” granting them a combat bonus when fighting on or adjacent to a Roman-controlled capital city.
- The Ballista’s Descendant: The Scorpio Artillery: The ancient Roman ballista, a marvel of engineering, would have evolved into a powerful, long-range artillery unit. The “Scorpio Artillery” would be a unique Rocket Artillery replacement for Rome, boasting a higher production cost but also increased range and a special ability to reduce the defense of enemy districts.
- The Aquila Fighter Wing: The Roman Eagle, the symbol of the legions, would take to the skies. The “Aquila Fighter Wing” would be a unique Jet Fighter with a bonus against ground units, reflecting the Roman doctrine of airpower supporting ground troops.
Nuclear Pax Romana: A Strategy of Deterrence
Many professional gamers suggest that an unfallen Rome would view nuclear weapons not as a tool of conquest, but as the ultimate guarantor of the “Pax Romana.” Their nuclear strategy would be one of deterrence, a way to ensure that no rival civilization would dare to challenge Roman hegemony.
- The Jupiter Missile: Rome’s unique nuclear missile, the “Jupiter Missile,” would not only have a devastating yield but also a secondary effect: any city hit by a Jupiter Missile that is not razed would suffer a permanent loyalty penalty, representing the psychological shock of being struck by the “wrath of the gods.”
- The “Scorched Earth” Doctrine: In the direst of circumstances, a cornered Roman Empire might adopt a “scorched earth” policy, using nuclear weapons to create a desolate wasteland on its borders, making it impossible for an invading army to advance. This high-risk, high-reward strategy is a topic of much debate on community forums.
The Eternal City in the Modern Age: Wonders and Infrastructure
An Atomic Era Rome would be a civilization of breathtaking wonders, a fusion of classical architecture and modern engineering. The skyline of Rome itself would be a testament to its enduring power, with ancient monuments standing alongside gleaming skyscrapers.
Wonders of a Modern Rome
- The Colosseum Ultima: Imagine the Colosseum, not as a ruin, but as a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex. The “Colosseum Ultima” would be a unique Atomic Era wonder that provides a massive boost to amenities and culture, and also hosts international sporting events, generating tourism and diplomatic favor.
- The Pantheon of Science: The Pantheon, once a temple to all the gods, would be repurposed as a global center for scientific research. The “Pantheon of Science” would be a unique wonder that provides a significant boost to science and generates a free Eureka for a random technology from the Information Era.
- The Trajanic Superhighway: Trajan’s Column, a monument to a successful military campaign, would be dwarfed by the “Trajanic Superhighway,” a massive infrastructure project that connects all Roman cities on the same continent. This wonder would grant all Roman trade routes a bonus to gold and production, and all Roman units a movement bonus on Roman roads.
The Roman Megalopolis: City Planning in the Atomic Era
Analysis on forums shows that Roman city planning in the modern era would be a model of efficiency and grandeur. Roman cities would be characterized by their logical grid layouts, their impressive public works, and their towering monuments.
- The Modern Aqueduct: The ancient aqueducts, a marvel of Roman engineering, would be replaced by a sophisticated network of water and power infrastructure. The “Modern Aqueduct” would be a unique district that provides a bonus to housing and production, and also generates power for the city.
- The Forum Novum: The Roman Forum, the heart of the ancient city, would be reimagined as a bustling commercial and cultural hub. The “Forum Novum” would be a unique city center building that provides a bonus to gold and culture, and also has a slot for a Great Work of Art.
Navigating the World Stage: Diplomacy with an Ancient Superpower
Diplomacy with an unfallen Roman Empire would be a delicate dance. Rome would be a proud and ancient power, accustomed to being the center of the world. They would view other civilizations with a mixture of curiosity, disdain, and strategic calculation.
Roman Diplomatic Agendas
- “Mare Nostrum” (Our Sea): Rome would be fiercely protective of its traditional sphere of influence. Any civilization that attempts to settle or conquer cities in the Mediterranean would incur Rome’s wrath.
- “Civilis et Barbarus” (Civilized and Barbarian): Rome would have a strong preference for civilizations that share its cultural and political values. They would be more likely to form alliances with civilizations that have a high cultural output and a stable government.
- “The Senate and People of Rome”: Rome would be a stickler for international law and treaties. They would be quick to denounce any civilization that breaks a promise or violates a treaty.
Strategies for Dealing with a Modern Rome
- The Barbarian Alliance: A popular strategy for weaker civilizations is to form a “barbarian alliance” to counter Roman expansion. By coordinating their military and diplomatic efforts, they can hope to contain the Roman behemoth.
- The Cultural Offensive: Another strategy is to launch a “cultural offensive” against Rome. By generating a high cultural output and spreading their religion and tourism, they can hope to erode Roman loyalty and flip Roman cities to their side.
- The Technological Gambit: A high-risk, high-reward strategy is to pursue a “technological gambit.” By rushing to a science victory, a civilization can hope to outpace Rome in the race for the future and render its military might obsolete.
Conclusion
The idea of a Roman Empire that never fell and progressed to the Atomic Era is a tantalizing one for any Civilization 6 player. It offers a unique and challenging gameplay experience, a chance to rewrite history on a grand scale. By understanding the potential strengths, weaknesses, and strategies of this alternate history civilization, players can forge their own Roman destiny, leading the legions of Rome to their ultimate triumph in the modern world. The legacy of Rome, in this scenario, is not one of ruins and memories, but of a living, breathing, and dominant global power. The eagle, after all, is a patient bird.