Brutus Forci:
This map kind of reminds me of Tarsus because I had the same distribution/devolution problems in that city as well. And if I'm not mistaken, that province isn't too far from Damascus. No wonder the Romans never bothered to conquer Parthia. Tarsus & Damascus were more than enough for the stubbornest of them!
I'm sure the game must be programmed to turn your cartpushers & market ladies cross-eyed when you come to within 500 of your population target, because I was stuck between 5400-5700 for many years, and have the population chart to prove it.
Citizen Paul:
Your yearly updates are wonderful and bring back memories of Carthago. Lucky for us the Egyptians haven't yet developed saddles large enough to fit on elephants. I'm afriad the economic aspect of this game (ratings, chiefly) will be the most difficult to satisfy. Prosperity is difficult if you don't have an air-tight design (which I didn't) and Culture is difficult if you have any kind of labor shortage problem (which I did, as well).
I plan to restart this map, with two primary goals (besides making money & dealing with the Egyptians): to maintain enough unemployment to continue expanding, and design a city that facilitates the optimal distubution of pottery, furniture, and oil. Since I'm already planning to evolve the majority of my housing to grand insulae, I may only need a small block of villas.
Porcius:
My initial intent was to trade with the natives, but the native village is so large and difficult to get decent coverage for, and trade with Rome is profitable enough, so I don't think I'll be trading with them either.
Marcus:
Excellent work, my friend! As soon as I've received your city I plan to study it a bit as I prepare for my 2nd foray against economic disarray in Damascus. If it's ever paid to have an overabundance of straight roads for these blind, crippled, and disoriented cartpushers and market ladies to follow, it has for this assignment. I've never had it this bad in Pharaoh, and there you have beer and Senet Houses!
Vale all!Caligula
[This message has been edited by Caligula (edited 04-20-2000).]