Athenians

Overview

Athenians are a Chronicles civilization in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, built around infantry & navy. Their campaign roster features Strategos; Chronicles factions are not part of the standard ranked civilization roster.

Civilization identity

Athenians is classified as Ancient world and is centered on infantry & navy. Its defining roster entry is Strategos. This focus is a starting point for reading the technology tree, not a requirement to use only one unit line: the bonuses and matchup determine which parts of the roster are worth investing in. In team games, shipyard technologies research faster; account for this while choosing allies and deciding which role the civilization should cover.

Civilization bonuses and their value

Each bonus applies to a specific part of the economy, army, or map plan. Read the effect together with its target: a discount matters when it changes a build or upgrade timing, while a combat bonus matters only when the affected unit or structure is actually fielded.

• Lumberjacks also produce food, and Hoplites move faster Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.
• Choose an Economic, Military, or Naval policy at a Town Center; each policy changes the civilization’s economic or military strengths This is a water-map advantage; plan around control of fishing, crossings, and transport rather than assuming it matters equally on a land map.

Signature units and unique technologies

Strategos: An Athenian infantry commander whose aura increases the attack of nearby units These units define the civilization’s distinctive options. Its unique technologies add later-game choices; compare their effects with the cost and research timing before committing resources.

• Taxiarchs: Strategoi strengthen the attack aura they grant to nearby infantry and cavalry
• Trierarchies: Monoreme-line charged attacks recharge faster, deal more damage, and inflict trample damage
• Eisphora: Hoplites cost more food and less gold
• Delian League: Ports and Shipyards improve the attack speed of nearby warships

Civilization game plan

The guide below connects the civilization’s bonuses to an opening, a main army, a transition, and the principal risk to watch. Adapt the sequence after scouting rather than treating it as a fixed build order.

• Opening: Woodcutters add food, so the first woodline can support both construction and unit production. The Town Center policy should follow the map: Economic for sustained growth, Military for a land battle, or Naval when a Shipyard and water control matter. Choose after scouting the first serious threat rather than treating one policy as universal.
• Core army: Faster Hoplites can keep a compact infantry force in position, with a Strategos strengthening nearby allies when the aura can cover an actual fight. Trierarchies and Delian League support a dedicated warship plan; they add little to a land-only army. Balance infantry and fleet investment with the food the shared economy can truly replace.
• Transition: Choose a technology or production change that improves the force already fighting, then secure the resource route needed to replace it.
• Watch for: A policy choice is strongest when the next production and research decisions reinforce it. Do not split resources across unrelated land and naval upgrades.

Team-game role

The team bonus is Shipyard technologies research faster. This can help define a complementary team role. Coordinate it with allied civilizations that can use the bonus or cover a weakness in the roster.