Even in such inhospitable conditions, however, these ingenious people thrived. The Sabaean kingdom lies in the harsh lands of the southern Arabian Peninsula. T3: Armoured Camel Spearmen Missile Cavalry:T2: Camel Archers Special:T2: Desert Chariots T4: Hellenic Desert Cataphracts Melee Cavalry:T1: Desert Cavalry T3: Nabataean Heavy Archers Shock Cavalry:T3: Desert Heavy Lancers T3: Nabataean Thorax Pike Missile Infantry:T1: Slingers T4: Rekem Palace Guard Pike Infantry:T2: Desert Pikemen T3: Noble Swordsmen Spear Infantry:T1: Levy Spearmen Nabatae Unit Roster: Melee Infantry:T1: Desert Levy
Silk road traders: Bonus to trade and diplomacy.Hellenic influence: may recruit Hellenic-themed units for battle.Nabatae had both, bolstered by excellent engineering and exploitation of the surrounding environment, making their capital city of Petra a nigh-impregnable bastion. Preserving all this wealth at such a geographically strategic location demanded a well-trained military and a strong navy. Nabatae was an important crossroad for the spice trade, serving as a conduit between the southern kingdoms that produced frankincense and myrrh, and the wealthy eastern and western empires who were its primary buyers. The Nabataeans were very literate and had a remarkable degree of gender equality for an ancient civilization, with women participating in both political and religious matters. Even when under threat from powerful foes like the Seleucids and Judeans, their progressive society enabled them to flourish and prosper. They were the first civilization to use cement extensively, and built remarkable watertight reservoirs, ensuring a plentiful supply of potable water. The Nabataeans were great builders and pioneers of advanced construction techniques. T4: Kushite Royal Guard Special:T2: Desert Chariots T4: Royal Kushite Archers Melee Cavalry:T2: Aethiopian Cavalry T3: Leopard Warriors Pike Infantry:T2: Kushite Pikes Missile Infantry:T1: Tribesmen T4: Disciples of Apedemak Spear Infantry:T1: Nubian Spearmen Kush Unit Roster: Melee Infantry:T1: Slave Infantry The Land of the Bow: cheaper, better archer units.Disciplined Workforce: Bonus income from slaves, reduction in slave decline, Reduced Public Order penalty from slaves.Trading kingdom (ivory, exotic hides, iron, gold).Higher probability of female characters in politics.Affinity for Egyptian/Hellenistic culture.Even the Romans could not conquer Meroe, and preferred to trade instead.Ī regional powerhouse with a surfeit of natural treasures and fertile land, Kush is well equipped to prosper and once again vie for power against the mightiest empires in the world. The kings and warrior queens would sit on the throne and rule with authority and conviction to protect the riches of Nubia. The shift of capital also marked something of a break from Egyptian culture with Hellenistic, Indian, Persian and African influences making their way through the trade routes. The priests would no longer decide the fate of the kings and queens.
In the early 3rd century BC, king Ergamenes decided to wrest power away from the priests of Amun, and moved the capital from Napata to Meroe. Each faction also has new building chains and technology trees, playing to their strengths and further differentiating their playstyles.Īlongside their individual Faction Traits, the Desert Kingdoms all share the following Cultural Traits:ĭesert Warriors: +10% morale for all units during battles in the desertĭeep-rooted Traditions: Penalty to research rate Meroe (The Kingdom of Kush)Ī major regional power with vast resources derived from its trade in gold, jewels and exotic hides, Kush has been overshadowed by its more powerful and famous northern neighbour, Egypt. While culturally similar, each faction boasts unique new unit rosters which offer different military strengths. Surviving these harsh environmental conditions has forged them into hardy warriors who use the shifting desert sands to their advantage in battle. These factions are native to the deserts of Africa and Arabia. The Kingdoms of Kush, Saba and Nabatea fall under the African/Arabian subculture, while the Masaesyli are of Numidian origin. The Desert Kingdoms Culture Pack introduces four new playable factions to Total War: ROME II.