How to win in Civilization IV – Playing As The Greek Empire in Civ IV - Ultimate Guide to the Civ IV Strategy Game - by John Sinitsky

Civilization 4
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Introduction

Sid Meier’s Civilization was THE computer game when it was introduced in 1994 and was the first real turn-based strategy ever. The game had several versions, with the latest PC playable one called “Civilization IV”.

Several years have passed, but Civ IV is still a very playable and enjoyable game with decent graphics and AI tactics. With the victory options and pre-game selections (choosing the map, the climate and sea level, game speed and world size, Difficulty Levels (A,B)) previously discussed, we continue with a review of playable civilization choice. The next nation to be looked at is Greece.

Greek Empire Overview

The Greek nation has the Phalanx as its unique unit, replacing the Speaman. The Phalanx is superior to Spearman in terms of strength (5 versus 4), making it a serious threat in the early stages of the game.

Until Axemen are built this is a most powerful unit. Guarding cities with Phalanx is a good idea as well as it has a +100% versus mounted units (common to Speaman) – making it closer to Pikeman, which requires Feudalism, a relatively advanced technology. Phalanx also has +25% hills defense. As Hunting is the Greek starting technology, Phalanx can be built as soon as copper is discovered (research Bronze working).

The starting technologies for the Greeks are Hunting and Fishing. This means that Archery, Animal Husbandry and Sailing can be researched straight away. Mining should be given a priority to enable Bronze Working - which will give you the unique Phalanx.

The civilization has only 1 leader – Alexander.

Alexander

Alexander the Great is “Philosophical” and “Aggressive”

“Philosophical” means having a bonus of Great People appearance (+100% birth rate). However, doubling zero is still zero – so you should either build wonders or create specialists in your cities. Universities (that speed up your research by 25%) are built with double speed, so discovering Education and building Libraries (required for University) is very logical. As such, writing has to be researched at the early stages.

Being “Aggressive” means that you will have a bonus of free promotion (Combat I) for all melee and gunpowder units – making your Phalanx, Swordsman, Musketman etc. 10% stronger from the very beginning. This makes even more sense to build Phalanx. Barracks are constructed at double speed – something you would want to build in all your cities as it requires no technology at all. And with barracks your units are even stronger (free promotion of your choice). Drydocks are sped up as well, giving you an option to build naval units twice as fast and giving them more experience. Steel should be discovered to take advantage of this building. However, beware – drydocks reduce your city health.

This post is part of the series: Civilization IV - Guide To Sid Meier’s Civilization IV PC Game

This series on Civilization IV tells you how to get the best out of the classic Sid Meier PC game. Game strategy and options are reviewed and disscussed

  1. Mastering Civilization IV - Victory Conditions
  2. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game Part I – Selecting a Map (A)
  3. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part II – Selecting a Map (B)
  4. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part III – Climate and Sea Level
  5. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part IV – Map Size
  6. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part V – Difficulty Levels (A)
  7. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part VI – Difficulty Levels (B)
  8. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game - Part VII – Game Speed
  9. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the civilization - Overview
  10. Mastering Civilization IV – The American Empire in Civilization IV
  11. Mastering Civilization IV – The Arabian Empire in Civilization IV
  12. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Player Nation – Aztec Empire
  13. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing As The Chinese Empire - Choosing Your Playable Nation
  14. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Egyptian Empire in Civ IV
  15. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Nation – English Empire
  16. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – French Empire
  17. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – German Empire
  18. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing A Playable Nation – Greek Empire
  19. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Incan Empire
  20. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the nation – Indian Empire
  21. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play in Civ IV – Japanese Empire
  22. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Malinese Empire
  23. Mastering Civilization IV – Mongolian Empire in Civ IV - Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV PC Game
  24. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – Roman Empire
  25. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV – Russian Empire
  26. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Persian Empire in Civ IV - Player’s Guide to Choosing their Nation in Civ IV
  27. Mastering Civilization IV – Selecting Playable Nations in Civ IV – Spanish Empire