After downloading AncientEmpires2.rar (link at bottom of this page), unzip the scenario in your \Conquests\Scenarios folder.  When you start a game of Civ, the scenario will appear in the list as ! AOE 04 Ancient Empires 2.biq.

The following is a list of enhancements over the previous version:

• The updated scenario runs over twice as fast as the previous version.  The AI builds fewer units (which are more expensive now) and cities, resulting in a faster game.  However, the scenario is still not recommended for slower computers.
   
• The wheat resource is now tremendously important.  Without wheat, you cannot build Settlers or Armies, and city size is limited to a 12 population.  Granaries can only be built in cities with wheat inside their radius.  Note: both Rome and Macedon begin the game in need of wheat for further expansion.

• Units are more expensive now.  Greece, Rome, and Carthage begin the game with sizable armies, putting a tremendous strain on their treasuries.  Although you begin with a large amount of gold, you must use these armies quickly before you burn through your treasury.

• Armies now cost +2 population to build.

• Military units that cost population to build can now be resettled inside cities.  Rather than disbanding obsolete units, consider ordering them to join a city.

• There is now more emphasis on naval warfare.  Deep draft vessels still travel slowly in shallow water, but not as slowly as before.  Triremes and Quinqueremes can now bombard land targets (though not with lethal force).  The Greek Elite Triremes are outfitted with Greek fire, increasing their bombard strength and making them very useful for destroying land improvements in coastal squares.

• The Egyptians are more advanced than before.  They start out with Monarchy, and have the ability to build Parthian Cavalry.

• The Republic and Imperialism forms of governments have been modified.  Use Republic when your empire is small to medium sized, you are not at war, and you want fast and motivated workers.  Use Imperialism when your empire is vast and you are at war.  Note: both forms of government allow you to buy improvements rather than hurrying them with forced labor.  The transition to Imperialism is somewhat brutal and will result in a small decline in city populations.

Click here to download Ancient Empires 2

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