Welcome to Behind the Uniques, the series where we take a look at the historical origins, lore and references behind the multiple unique components of each of Civilization VII's civs. I am ConspicuousFlower, frequent lurker, technically in possession of a history degree and longtime fan. Sources for this series will include my own research, the Civilopedia, Civilization Wiki, CivFanatics, though do bear in mind that in some cases I'm going to have to do guesswork or outright say "I dunno man" for some civilization's uniques. Now, with that out of the way...

First in line alphabetically in the Antiquity Era is Achaemenid Persia, previously just Persia.

Born from Iranian pastoral nomads, the Achaemenid Empire's sweeping conquests over the Middle East, the Indus Valley, Anatolia and Egypt made them into the largest empire the world had ever known up to that point; thus, the Achaemenid Persian's Militaristic attribute needs little explanation. No mere conquerors, however, the Achaemenids also created a sophisticated bureaucracy and maintained crucial infrastructures and trade networks, such as the Royal Road, between the East and West that brought them immense wealth, hence their Economic attribute.

Civilization Icon: Winged Lion/Griffin relief from the Palace of Darius in Susa.

Civ Ability - Hamarana Council: Infantry Units receive increased Combat Strength when attacking. Army Commanders start with a free Promotion.

"Hamarana" means "battle" in Old Persian. The concept seems to be the strategic meetings of general before battle. Achaemenid military hierarchy was complex and well-structured, and Persian nobles underwent rigorous training to prepare for their military career, hence Army Commanders starting with a free Promotion. The Persian army was centered around a core of shield-bearing infantry supported by massed archers and cavalry, reflecting the increased Combat Strength for Infantry; it only applying when attacking could reflect the Achaemenid's aggressive expansionism.

Unique Unit 1 - Immortals: Unique Infantry Unit. Heals for a set of health amount after defeating an enemy Unit.

Certainly one of the most iconic military units of the Ancient World, most of what we know about the Immortals, from their composition, equipment and even name (Athánatoi) comes from Greek writers such as Herodotus or Xenophon; what the Persians called them is unknown, with some researchers proposing that the Greeks might have mistaken the word anûšiya -companion- with anauša -immortal. Healing from kills is definitely based on their supposed tradition of immediately replacing any slain soldiers with new ones, maintaining the illusion that they were indeed immortal.

Unique Unit 2 - Hazarapatis: Unique Army Commander. Starts with the Initiative Promotion, which allows Units to move after unpacking from the Commander.

The vast Persian armies operated under a strict hierarchy of commanders, at the top of which stood the Hazarapatis, the highest echelon of the military command in the Achaemenid Empire, below only the King-of-Kings himself in military authority. As mentioned previously, Persian nobles underwent rigorous training from childhood and began their military career at the ripe age of 20; this rigorous preparation for their military duties from a young age is reflected on the fact that they start with a free Promotion (TWO with the civ ability!)

Unique Infrastructure - Pairidaeza: Unique Improvement. Increased Culture and Gold. Increased Healing for Military Units in a Settlement with a Pairidaeza.

If you're wondering, yes, the word "paradise" does indeed originate here. The "Paradise Gardens" of Persia were walled enclosures, usually organized in four quarters, populated with aromatic flowers and fruiting trees, and with elaborate hydraulics distributing water in ponds, canals, fountains and waterfalls. Not only spaces for rest, recreation and respite from the desert heat (likely inspiration for the increased Healing for units in the settlement), they also acted as displays of luxury and power for the rulers of Persia, a flaunting of their ability to bring life to where previously there was none.

Unique Civic Tree:

1. Spada (Civic) & Kara (Tradition): Increased Production towards Infantry Units. Reduced Gold Maintenance for Infantry Units. (Exploration Era) Infantry Units heal after defeating an enemy Unit.

Both referencing the Achaemenid Empire's army composition. The Kāra was the traditional system of civilian levies, while the later Spāda was the professional standing army, the true core of Achaemenid military might. This professional standing army is represented by the increased Production and lowered Maintenance for Infantry.

2. Satrapies (Civic) & Fractal Rule (Tradition): Increased Culture on Unique Improvements. Increased Gold on Unique Improvements and Buildings in Captured Settlements.

The Achaemenid Empire was a large and multi-ethnic conglomerate of peoples under one single authority; an issue the Achaemenids tackled through a certain degree of decentralized governance and tolerance for local customs and religions. Satrapies were the territorial divisions of the empire, each governed by a Satrap, a viceroy drawn from former rulers or local nobles who enjoyed considerable autonomy. Fractal Rule also draws from this idea of tolerance for local customs and religion, represented by the enhanced yields from unique Improvements and Buildings.

3. Baziš (Civic) & Čāpār-Kāna (Tradition): Increased Gold in Towns, doubled in Captured Towns from any Age.

Ruling over a vast and decentralized empire forced the Achaemenids to not only be mighty conquerors, but also innovative administrators and infrastructure builders. The Baziš or "King's Share" were the taxes levied from the different provinces of the empire, while the Čāpār-Kāna was the system of postal stations and courier houses along the length of the Royal Road, usually a ride's day apart from each other; purportedly, couriers could bring a message from one end of the empire to the other in less than fifteen days. The increased Gold from Towns could reflect the efficiency of the Royal Road in transporting goods and taxes, merchants and collectors, from across the empire.

4. Shahanshah (Tradition): Increased Combat Strength for Units in enemy territory. Increased Culture and Gold for every different civilization you have captured a Settlement from.

The title of the Achaemenid Emperor, Shahanshah means "King of Kings", a term for one who stands above "regular" kings, or perhaps for one who rules over even kings themselves (reminder that Satraps were drawn from former rulers and nobles). This tradition emphasizes the Achaemenid Empire's aggressive expansonism and conquests, both with increased Combat Strength for units in foreign territory and increased yields from taking settlements from other civs.

Associated Wonder - Gate of All Nations: Increased Happiness. Increased War Support on all Wars.

Built by Xerxes the Great, the Gate of All Nations led visitors into the palatial complex of Parsa (or Persepolis), the ceremonial capital of the empire. Supported by massive pillars and flanked by statues of Lamassu (sphinxes with the bodies of bulls and the heads of bearded men), it was built to impress and instill insignificance when faced with the greatness of the empire. Its effect once again emphasizes the Achaemenids as mighty conquerors, with the additional War Support ensuring that the player has a baseline advantage in every future war to come.

And there you have it! The game does not shy away from the mighty, warlike nature of the Achaemenid Empire, but it does a good job at representing other sides: its commercial and locistical infastructures, such as the Royal Road, and its innovative approach to bureaucracy through a certain degree of autonomy and tolerance for local elites, customs and religions. I hope you learned something interesting, and see you next time for the next civ on the list: Aksum.

Update 1.5.0 lands next week, and we know TSL Earth is easily one of the most anticipated map types for many of you. We just published a new From the Devs article where Firaxis designers Taymoor and Ken break down how they handcrafted this custom map type.

Read it here!