;

;
;Ulitimate Civ II - Civilopedia Descriptions Text File -- Copyright (c) 1997 Mic
roProse Software, Inc.
;
;This file contains the descriptions of all the Civilization Advances, City Impr
ovements, Wonders of
;the World, Units, and Game Concepts displayed in the Civilopedia. It is designe
d to be adaptable to
;conform to customized scenarios by the replacing existing text with scenario-sp
ecific text.
;
;PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL TEXT FILE BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES!
;
;
;
@ADVANCE_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: This section consists (verbatim) of the following files from
the original Civilopedia, ;strung together to make one contiguous section: ADVAN
C1.PDE, ADVANC2.PDE, ADVANC3.PDE,
;and ADVANC4.PDE. (French and German versions are .PDF and .PDG respectively.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry. For example, Amphibious Warfare will be the 55
'th (remember,
; the list is zero based) description below begining with @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@ADVANCE_INDEX
0, ; Advanced Flight
1, ; Alphabet
54, ; Amphibious Warfare
2, ; Astronomy
3, ; Atomic Theory
4, ; Automobile
5, ; Banking
6, ; Bridge Building
7, ; Bronze Working
8, ; Ceremonial Burial
9, ; Chemistry
10, ; Chivalry
11, ; Code of Laws
55, ; Combined Arms
12, ; Combustion
13, ; Communism
14, ; Computers
15, ; Conscription
16, ; Construction
17, ; The Corporation
18, ; Currency
19, ; Democracy
56, ; Economics
20, ; Electricity
21, ; Electronics
22, ; Engineering
57, ; Environmentalism
58, ; Espionage
23, ; Explosives
24, ; Feudalism
25, ; Flight
59, ; Fundamentalism
26, ; Fusion Power
27, ; Genetic Engineering
60, ; Guerrilla Warfare
79, ; Gunpowder
80, ; Horseback Riding
81, ; Industrialization
82, ; Invention
83, ; Iron Working
28, ; Labor Union
61, ; The Laser
62, ; Leadership
29, ; Literacy
63, ; Machine Tools
30, ; Magnetism
31, ; Map Making
32, ; Masonry
33, ; Mass Production
34, ; Mathematics
35, ; Medicine
36, ; Metallurgy
64, ; Miniaturization
65, ; Mobile Warfare
37, ; Monarchy
66, ; Monotheism
38, ; Mysticism
39, ; Navigation
40, ; Nuclear Fission
41, ; Nuclear Power
42, ; Philosophy
43, ; Physics
44, ; Plastics
-1, ; Plumbing
68, ; Polytheism
45, ; Pottery
69, ; Radio
46, ; Railroad
47, ; Recycling
48, ; Refining
70, ; Refrigeration
49, ; The Republic
50, ; Robotics
51, ; Rocketry
71, ; Sanitation
72, ; Seafaring
52, ; Space Flight
73, ; Stealth
53, ; Steam Engine
84, ; Steel
85, ; Superconductor
74, ; Tactics
75, ; Theology
86, ; Theory of Gravity
87, ; Trade
88, ; University
76, ; Warrior Code
77, ; The Wheel
78, ; Writing
67, ; Future Technology
-1, ; User Def Tech A
-1, ; User Def Tech B
-1, ; User Def Tech C
-1, ; Extra Advance 1
-1, ; Extra Advance 2
-1, ; Extra Advance 3
-1, ; Extra Advance 4
-1, ; Extra Advance 5
-1, ; Extra Advance 6
-1, ; Extra Advance 7
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
@@Advanced Flight
During World War II and in the years that followed, great leaps were made in the
field of aviation. The military demands of the war necessitated the development
of aircraft designed for long-range bombing, and for the transportation of troo
ps and equipment. Although advances in aviation were made all over the world dur
ing this time, the Germans were particularly adept in the development of advance
d flight technologies. In 1944, they developed the V-2 "buzz bomb", the first tr
uly guided missile, capable of delivering 2000 pounds of explosives to targets n
early 200 miles away. The Germans also developed the Me 262, the first jet fight
er plane, which was first used in 1945. Although both the V-2 and the Me 262 cam
e too late to affect the outcome of World War II, both of these advances paved t
he way for the advanced flight technologies of today.

@@Alphabet
The ancestors of modern alphabets were the iconographic and ideographic symbols
developed by ancient man, such as cuneiform and hieroglyphics. The first known a
lphabet, a combination of a number of early pictographic symbols known as North
Semetic, was developed between 1700 and 1500 BC. Four other alphabets, South Sem
etic, Canaanite, Aramaic, and Greek, had evolved from the North Semetic alphabet
by 1000 BC. The Roman alphabet, used by all the languages of western Europe inc
luding English, was derived from the Greek alphabet sometime after 500 BC. The R
oman alphabet became one of the most widespread due to the extensive use of the
Latin language during the reign of the Roman Empire. The development of alphabet
s was significant in the development of advanced civilizations because it allowe
d history and ideas to be written down, rather than memorized and passed along o
rally.
@@Astronomy
Astronomy originated as simple observation and recording of regular celestial mo
vements for the purpose of time keeping and determining directional bearings. Th
e ancient Greeks were among the first to study astronomy in detail. They describ
ed the use of stars for navigation at sea, and recorded the position of constell
ations during each season of the year for purposes of determining times for plan
ting and harvesting. The Greek astronomer Aristarchus developed the theory that
celestial motion could be explained by the fact that the Earth revolved on its a
xis once every 24 hours, and revolves around the sun along with the other planet
s. This theory was rejected at the time, only to be rediscovered nearly 2000 yea
rs later by Copernicus. These early students of astronomy compiled data that bec
ame the cornerstone for modern astronomical research.
@@Atomic Theory
Philosophers in ancient Greece were the first to use the term "atom" to describe
the smallest possible bit of matter. They hypothesized that all things were mad
e up of atoms, and could be theoretically broken down into atoms. The atom, howe
ver, was indestructible. Study of atomic theory proceeded slowly. Experimental s
cientists of the 16th and 17th centuries developed methods of analyzing gases, l
iquids, and solids to determine the individual elements of which they were compo
sed. The founder of modern atomic theory was British chemist John Dalton. Dalton
's experiments explained how atoms link together to form molecules. He also expl
ained the nature of these chemical bonds, and performed a number of experiments
concerning the formation of various chemical compounds.
@@Automobile
The earliest attempts at producing a self-propelled vehicle date back to the lat
e 1770s. These early vehicles used bulky steam engines for power. Despite consta
nt improvements, the steam engine ultimately proved impractical for small vehicl
es. The development of the internal combustion engine in the late 1800s provided
a small but powerful replacement for steam engines, and were able to achieve mu
ch higher speeds. The first practical automobiles were developed in the late 19t
h century, by automotive pioneers in France, Germany, and the United States. By
the 1920s, a number of automotive manufacturing companies were operating in the
U.S., including Ford and General Motors. By 1980, more than 300 million cars and
85 million trucks were in operation throughout the world. The popularity of the
automobile has led to massive improvements in the highway systems in most indus
trialized countries. Unfortunately, automobiles are also one of the primary sour
ces of air pollution, and have resulted in an all time high demand for petrochem
ical fuels.
@@Banking
Many of the services performed by banks today can be traced back to medieval Eur
ope. Certain families, such as the Medicis of Italy, were known for the banking
duties they performed. These wealthy merchants pooled their surplus money into a
bank, then loaned cash (with interest) to other commercial enterprises. The ava
ilability of this capital for investment made many new businesses possible, acce
lerating economic growth. The first modern banks were established in Europe duri
ng the late 1600s. The primary function of today's banking system is the grantin
g of loans to consumers and businesses. In addition to loaning money and safegua
rding deposits, banks also invest in government and private securities and bonds
. Both the loan and investment functions of banks not only make profits for the
bank itself, but stimulate the economy by providing funds for business growth an
d consumer purchases.
@@Bridge Building
Humans have been constructing crude bridges from the first time they laid logs a
cross a stream or river they needed to cross. Although a brick arch bridge is sa
id to have existed in Babylon in 1800 BC, most bridges of this time period were
probably made of wood. The Romans developed bridge building to a degree that it
took Western medieval engineers many years to match. Roman bridges were often co
mposed of several stone arches which supported a flat road. Bridges of this type
date back to as early as 219 BC. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that bridge desi
gns began to incorporate metal for added strength and permanence. Early truss br
idges used wooden trusses bound with iron tie-rods. By 1850, wooden trusses gave
way to steel. Modern bridges incorporate designs ranging from concrete and stee
l arches to steel girder and suspension styles. The development of modern bridge
s constructed of durable materials was vital to the expansion of the worlds rail
road and highway systems.
@@Bronze Working
Evidence of the use of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, dates back to Thailan
d in 4500 BC. Several hundred years later, bronze working was discovered in the
Middle East. Artifacts from this period show that bronze was initially used for
decorative purposes only. This is because tin was not readily available. It wasn
't until approximately 2000 BC, when tin was regularly imported from neighboring
regions, that bronze replaced copper in the construction of larger items. Bronz
e was harder and less brittle than copper, and it held a sharper edge. Tools, we
apons, and armor made from bronze were also cheaper to produce and more durable.
The period of time when bronze was the metal of choice for such items was known
as the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age lasted until iron working became prevalent in
approximately 1200 BC.
@@Ceremonial Burial
Groping for an explanation of the world around them, the earliest humans develop
ed the first concepts of religion. Gradually, rites of worship grew to include s
acrifices, ceremonies, vigils, symbology, sacred items, and prayer. One signific
ant step in the advance of worship was the ceremonial burial, often a ritual pre
paration of the deceased's body for the afterlife his or her culture anticipated
. The remains of ceremonial burials offer some of the most detailed information
about past civilizations.
@@Chemistry
The earliest practical use of chemical processes were by metal smiths of the anc
ient world. These artisans learned how to use heat to melt various naturally occ
urring metals together to form alloys such as bronze. Early manufacturers of clo
th also used primitive chemical processes to set dyes. In the following centurie
s, chemical processes were studied through the pseudo-science of alchemy, which
attempted to change base metals into gold. Although alchemists were, of course,
unsuccessful, they did develop many valuable chemical processes as a result. The
manuscripts produced by alchemists were studied by succeeding generations, and
an effective knowledge of chemistry had been accumulated by the late 13th centur
y. In the 17th century, the ideas of alchemy finally died out as an increasing b
ody of true chemical knowledge was gained through experimental analysis, leading
to the modern science of chemistry.
@@Chivalry
Chivalry was a code of rules governing the behavior of an aristocratic class of
warriors known as knights. First appearing in the 12th century, the rules of chi
valry governed not only the knights' behavior in battle, but in their personal l
ives as well. The chief chivalric virtues of piety, honor, valor, courtesy, chas
tity, and loyalty represented a fusion of Christian and military morality. A sim
ilar code of behavior known as "Bushido" or "the way of the warrior" governed t
he behavior of the samurai warriors of ancient Japan. Although the strict practi
ce of chivalry had all but disappeared by the 15th century, the ideals of chival
ric behavior became the basis for what is now considered to be gentlemanly condu
ct.
@@Code of Laws
The earliest tribal civilizations were bonded together by mutual needs and belie
fs. These groups were ruled by a tribal chieftain, who acted as an advisor, and
enforcer of the will of the gods. No formal laws existed in these early cultures
, but fear of the gods and a sense of tribal customs and morality kept order in
the tribe. As societies became larger and more diverse, the need arose for estab
lished rules of conduct. The earliest known codes of laws existed in Babylon, In
dia, and Palestine. The Twelve Tables of Rome, written in 500 BC, and its succes
sors such as the Justinian Code, were the first codes of law to distinguish betw
een public law, which involves the state, and private law, which concerns disput
es between citizens. Roman law was the first formalized written system of laws,
and went on to influence many of the legal systems of the modern world.
@@Combustion
The development of the internal combustion was a great advance of the Industrial
Age. The forerunner of today's internal combustion engine was built in 1876 by
German engineer Nikolaus Otto. Refinements on Otto's design over the next ten ye
ars led to more efficient and powerful engines. The internal combustion engine f
orever changed world transportation. Early automobiles utilizing steam engines h
ad proven to be both under-powered and impractical, but the fuel efficiency and
compact size of the internal combustion engine allowed the automotive industry t
o flourish. Several variations, including the diesel engine designed by Rudolf C
hristian Karl Diesel, went on to revolutionize propulsion in shipping and other
transportation industries.
@@Communism
Communism is a conceptualized system of government in which resources and produc
tion facilities are the property of the entire society rather than individuals.
In a communist society, labor is shared equally as well, and the benefits of lab
or are distributed according to need. Under such a system, all people would be e
qual, without class stratification. Although the basic idea of communism has exi
sted since the time of Plato, modern communism is identified with the system of
government described by Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels in the "Communist Manifest
o". They believed that capitalistic systems, in which the rich upper class prosp
ered through the exploitation of the powerless lower class, were bound to destro
y themselves. At this point, the poor would rebel against their former oppressor
s and form a classless society. This prophecy has never come true, and countries
who have attempted to base their governments on communism have ultimately faile
d to achieve the utopia described by Marx and Engels.
@@Computers
A computer is a device capable of performing a series of repetitive arithmetic o
r logical functions far more quickly than the human brain. The earliest computer
s were designed to solve complex mathematical equations. British mathematician C
harles Babbage conceived such a machine, called the Analytical Engine, in the 19
th century. Many variations of analog, or mechanical, computing devices were bui
lt during the first half of the 20th century, and were used for such tasks as co
mputing torpedo tracking in submarines and controlling bombsights. The growing s
tudy of electronics in the late 1940's led to the invention of the digital compu
ter. The first all-electronic computer, containing 18,000 vacuum tubes and capab
le of hundreds of multiplications per minute, was built in 1946. Continuous adva
nces in electronics since this landmark event rapidly reduced the size and incre
ased the speed and efficiency of computers. Today, computers are commonplace, an
d are used in virtually every field of endeavor. Significant advances in compute
r technology continue to take place at an amazing pace.
@@Conscription
Compulsory enrollment in the armed forces has been practiced for thousands of ye
ars. In ancient Greece, before the introduction of a professional militia in abo
ut 2000 BC, men between the ages of 17 and 60 were obligated to serve in a civil
ian militia. The modern form of conscription was introduced in France during the
Revolution in 1789. By the 19th century, nearly every country except for Great
Britain and the United States had instituted a program of peacetime conscription
. Many of the combatants in both World Wars fought with forces composed largely
of conscripted troops. The U.S. Selective Service Act of 1948 maintained peaceti
me conscription following World War II. This act, which was to have expired in 1
950, was extended due to the Korean War. Peacetime conscription in the United St
ates continued until 1973, at which time military service became voluntary.
@@Construction
The development of masonry led to a widespread use of stone in simple structures
such as fortifications, but due to the weight and cumbersome nature of stone bl
ocks, more complex structures had to be made of simpler materials. The need for
the widespread use of more durable and permanent materials eventually became app
arent, forcing ancient artisans to learn new techniques. The biggest problem to
overcome was finding a stable way to span the distance between two upright colum
ns or walls using stone blocks. To solve this problem, fundamental architectural
elements such as the arch and vault evolved. These basic construction technique
s allowed larger and more elaborate buildings to be created from stone and morta
r. Many of the buildings erected by these early builders are still standing, a t
estament to the sound construction techniques employed in their construction.
@@Corporation
As businesses grow, they often find it necessary to raise large amounts of opera
ting capital in order to expand their operations beyond a certain point, or to m
eet operating expenses. In these cases, one option available is to form a corpor
ation and "go public", or sell shares of the business to investors. This arrange
ment allows the business to expand rapidly, while spreading the risks of the exp
ansion among many people, reducing individual risk. Corporations also have legal
advantages such as the right to sue, and the limitation of liability for the co
rporation's debt to the amount originally invested by the owners. Corporations a
s legal entities have existed since ancient Rome, although the joint-stock compa
ny as it is known today didn't begin operating until sometime in the 16th centur
y.
@@Currency
As cities grew, their internal economies became more complicated. People became
specialists, some primarily producing grain, some pottery, some bricks, etc. A s
ystem of barter developed, so that one individual's wares and services could be
exchanged for those of another. Gold and silver were widely used in such transac
tions, but the pieces needed to be weighed and tested for purity each time they
changed hands. In 600 BC, the Lydians found a way around this problem. They bega
n the practice of shaping electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, into pieces of
predetermined weight and purity, stamped with an official symbol. This idea caug
ht on, and within 50 years all the important trading centers of the world had ad
opted similar practices. The widespread use of currency created universal standa
rds of value, allowing people from various societies to conduct business almost
anywhere without being forced to bring along bulky goods for trade and barter.
@@The Democracy
Democracy is a ruling system where the citizens have a great deal of control ove
r the actions of the government, either directly or through elected representati
ves. Democratic governments can be traced back to the city-states of ancient Gre
ece and Rome. Citizens would gather in a public forum, and each one would have t
he opportunity to speak and vote on issues affecting the community. This direct
democracy system was possible due to the relatively small populations of the cit
y-states. Starting in the 17th century, the monarchs of Europe began to be strip
ped of their absolute power, and by the end of the 19th century the citizens had
a strong voice in government in many European nations. Large populations made p
ublic forums impractical, so the people elected groups of representatives to car
ry their views to the ruling powers. Strictly speaking, this type of system more
closely resembles a republican system rather than a true democracy. This type o
f representative democracy is considered the best governing system in the modern
world because of the personal and economic freedom enjoyed by the citizens.
@@Electricity
The phenomenon of electricity in the forms of lightning, static electricity, and
magnetism has been witnessed by humans since the dawn of time. Electricity was
not seriously studied, however, until the 17th century. Early electrical pioneer
s studied various electrical phenomena, and built devices both to generate and t
o measure electrical charges. In 1892, the electron theory was advanced by Hendr
ik Antoon Lorentz, a Dutch physicist. This theory, which explains electricity as
a reaction between positively and negatively charged electrons, formed the basi
s for modern electrical theory. Based on Lorentz's work, early engineers such as
Thomas Edison pioneered methods allowing the widespread use of electricity as a
power source.
@@Electronics
The field of electronics deals with the practical application and manipulation o
f electricity and electromagnetic phenomena. The invention of the vacuum tube in
the early 20th century marked the beginning of modern electronics. The vacuum t
ube was capable of amplifying weak radio signals, allowing them to be transmitte
d over greater distances. Vacuum tubes also allowed music and voice to be superi
mposed onto radio waves for transmission. The early study of electronics revolut
ionized a number of fields, especially the field of communications. Because of t
he vacuum tube, the technology of radio communications was highly developed by W
orld War II. After the war, electronics research continued to advance rapidly. P
ost-war advances include the earliest examples of digital computers and, eventua
lly, transistors and integrated circuits: miniaturized replacements for the vacu
um tube.
@@Engineering
Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to the
design and/or manufacture of theoretical systems and physical objects. Prior to
the mid-18th century, all engineering functions were carried out by military eng
ineers. Their work involved the construction of roads, bridges, fortifications,
and the performance of other duties relating to the military. In the late 18th c
entury, civil engineers took over all nonmilitary engineering functions. Other f
ields of engineering prior to the 20th century included mining engineers, who de
signed mines and methods of mining, and mechanical engineers, who dealt with the
design and construction of machinery. As new technologies developed, new fields
of engineering developed along with them. Today, there are engineers specifical
ly trained in nearly every field, from electronics and computers to chemistry an
d atomics.
@@Explosives
An explosive is a chemical compound or mixture that undergoes rapid combustion a
nd produces heat, gas, and pressure effects. The earliest explosive compound kno
wn was gunpowder, which was first used in the13th century, and was the only expl
osive known for hundreds of years. The first modern explosive, a compound known
as nitroglycerin, was discovered in 1846. Compounds similar to nitroglycerin are
the most commonly used explosives today. Explosives vary in brisance, or shatte
ring effect, and in their stability under various environmental conditions. Asid
e from their obvious use in weaponry, explosives are also used in such peaceful
applications as rocket propellants and for mining and demolition work.
@@Feudalism
In the unsettled times following the collapse of Charlemagne's Frankish empire,
a new social and political system arose in Europe called feudalism. Derived from
the concept of monarchy, feudalism was a hierarchical system in which each desc
ending stratum owed allegiance to those above. The king, whose authority was sec
ond only to God, granted tracts of land, or fiefs, to his barons. The barons mig
ht then grant smaller estates to knights, who swore to protect and serve the bar
on. The knights, in turn, might then grant fractions of their fiefs to subordina
tes who would serve the knights. At the bottom of the feudal pyramid were the se
rfs, who could not own land, and acted essentially as slave laborers who worked
the land for their masters. Feudalism began to decline in the 13th century, when
standing armies and mercenaries began to fulfill the protective role once serve
d by the vassals and knights.
@@Flight
The idea of flight has tantalized humans since the dawn of time. Studies regardi
ng the possibility of producing a flying machine date back to the 13th century.
In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci proposed a number of inventions that even
tually came to pass, including the propeller and the parachute. Throughout the 1
9th century, various engineers experimented successfully with gliders, and exper
iments with compressed air and steam engines attempted to produce self-powered f
light with limited success. The key to success in powered flight was the inventi
on of the internal combustion engine. Just after the turn of the 20th century, O
rville and Wilbur Wright made the first four controlled, sustained human flights
at Kitty Hawk, N.C. The technology of flight advanced rapidly from this landmar
k event, and within a relatively few years, aircraft were circling the globe, sa
fely delivering passengers and mail at record speeds.
@@Fusion Power
Nuclear Fusion is the process by which two atomic nuclei combine to form one hea
vier atomic nucleus, giving off tremendous energy as a by-product. This type of
nuclear reaction, which is the process by which stars such as the sun produce h
eat and light, requires very high temperatures and an enormous amount of pressur
e to initiate, and a reliable system of fuel containment to sustain. Fusion reac
tions have been produced in artificial environments on Earth by bombarding deute
rium with high-energy particles accelerated in a cyclotron. Unfortunately, the a
mount of energy released in the reaction was considerably less than the energy r
equired to accelerate the particles. Brief fusion reactions have been demonstrat
ed in the detonation of thermonuclear weapons, but these reactions are useless f
or power generation because they cannot be controlled. If a way can be found to
produce a controlled fusion reaction, this technology offers great promise as a
source of electric power. The combination of abundant fuel sources and no harmfu
l byproducts makes fusion power a safe alternative to the dangerous side effects
produced by nuclear fission.
@@Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering involves the manipulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DN
A contains the genetic "code" which determines the inherited traits of living or
ganisms. By removing a section of an organism's DNA and replacing it with that o
f another organism, the characteristics of the organism can be altered. Since it
s inception, genetic engineering has produced a number of important benefits, su
ch as isolating the gene for interferon, a rare substance that may be of great v
alue in the treatment of viral diseases and cancer. Genetic manipulation may som
eday also provide a cure for birth defects and inherited diseases. Unfortunatel
y, there are also potential dangers involved in this technology. Genetically eng
ineered diseases, more communicable and virulent than any occurring in nature, c
ould potentially be created in the laboratory by accident or maliciously. Such v
iruses could be used as a dreadful biological weapon. Domestic and international
regulations regarding genetic experimentation exist to prevent such a situation
from occurring.
@@Labor Union
Labor unions arose in the 18th and 19th century in response to the poor working
conditions brought on by an intense competition for jobs, and the increasing dep
endence of the working class on their employers created by the move toward indus
trialization. Early labor unions, formed by skilled laborers in specific fields,
met with opposition from both employers and the government. In the 19th century
, laws were passed legalizing trade unions, and by the 20th century unions were
formed in semi- or unskilled fields such as mining, transportation, and dock wor
king. Binding their interests together and bargaining collectively, trade unions
forced factory and business owners to provide better working conditions and eco
nomic status for their workers.
@@Literacy
Writing was a powerful new tool for the advancement of knowledge, but, like all
tools, it was only useful if employed. Literacy, the ability to read and underst
and a written language, was originally a skill limited to priests and scribes. B
ecause of this, knowledge was still spread to the masses orally. Eventually, imp
roving systems of education brought literacy to private citizens. Civilizations
in which a high percentage of the population was literate had faster technologic
al and economic growth than those where literacy was less common. In the modern
world, while industrialized nations such as the U.S. enjoy widespread literacy,
undeveloped nations still have illiteracy rates approaching 80 percent of their
overall population. Illiteracy severely stunts the development of a country, eve
n more so now than in the ancient world.
@@Magnetism
The phenomenon of magnetism was known to the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese
. They observed that lodestone, an iron-bearing ore, attracted other iron. They
also noted that pieces of iron that came into contact with lodestone gained magn
etic properties as well. The electromagnetic force of attraction and repulsion b
etween various substances is due to the motion of positively and negatively char
ged electrons. Every magnet has a positive and a negative side, called poles. Po
les with a like charge repel one another, and poles with opposite charges attrac
t one another. The study of magnetic phenomena soon showed that a free-floating
magnet aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, one pole of the magnet poi
nting north, the other south. This was an important discovery, and led to the in
vention of the compass in the early 13th century. The use of the compass revolut
ionized sea travel by reducing the reliance on landmarks and stars for navigatio
n.
@@Map Making
Maps provide a diagrammatic representation of an area, showing terrain features,
cities, and other landmarks. The earliest maps were etched clay tablets chartin
g Babylonian lands for the purposes of taxation. Around the same time, the Chine
se produced regional maps drawn on silk cloth. In between 600 and 200 BC, the Gr
eeks produced several maps of the known world, including the first map showing a
primitive system of latitude and longitude. These early maps were primarily use
d by traders and merchants. Seamen, who often set their courses based only on th
e tales brought back by previous voyagers, benefited most from the science of ma
p making.
@@Masonry
The early dwellings of most tribal cultures were built of materials that were re
adily available and easy to work with, such as bricks of clay and mud. As tribes
gave up their nomadic ways and settled the first cities, they soon found that t
hey had a need for more permanent and durable structures. The skill of masonry w
as developed to fill this need. The earliest stone structures consisted of littl
e more than rocks which were stacked atop one another to form crude walls. Artis
ans soon began to square off the rocks, forming them into regular shapes and sta
cking them. These early examples of masonry used no mortar; the weight of the st
acked stones provided overall strength and stability. Without the use of mortar
and knowledge of architectural techniques, masonry was used primarily for simple
structures such as fortifications. However, some examples of early masonry are
quite spectacular, including the Great Pyramids in Egypt, which are still standi
ng after thousands of years.
@@Mass Production
The idea of mass production began to take shape along with the factory system. T
he automation of production greatly increased productivity with a corresponding
decrease in price for manufactured goods. In 1913, automobile manufacturer Henry
Ford introduced the idea of assembly lines in his automobile plants. Products b
eing built were conveyed from one work station to another along the line. At ea
ch station, a worker expertly repeated a discreet segment of the assembly proces
s. The product then moved to the next station, and so on until the finished prod
uct rolled off the end of the line. This innovative combination of specializatio
n of labor and the use of automation revolutionized production of complex goods.
Word of Ford's assembly line technique spread quickly, and this production meth
od soon came to be used in most of the industrialized nations of the world.
@@Mathematics
Rudimentary arithmetic was purely quantitative, used to keep track of quantities
and measurements in trade. Building on this fundamental base, ancient civilizat
ions began to formulate more complex mathematical concepts. As early as 1800 BC,
the Egyptians had developed a system for working with fractional numbers and si
mple algebraic problems. They also formulated geometric formulae for finding are
a and volume, and came up with a constant for determining the area of a circle t
hat was very close to the value of pi. By about the 5th century BC, the mathemat
icians of Greece had greatly contributed to both geometry and algebra. Around th
e same time, advanced mathematics was applied to other sciences and fields of st
udy such as astronomy and mechanics. One of the earliest applications of mathema
tical principles was in the construction of complex weaponry such as the catapul
t.
@@Medicine
Primitive man attributed the onset of serious disease as the influence of the go
ds, or possession by evil spirits. Over time, however, it was found that such "p
ossessions" could be treated through the use of elixirs made from plant extracts
. Methods were also developed to clean and treat wounds, and set fractured bones
. The ancient Greeks established the first schools to teach medical sciences cir
ca 500 BC. The texts produced by the students of these schools, most notably Hip
pocrates, who is considered the father of medicine, based his theories of the hu
man body on observation and reasoning rather than supernatural intervention. Con
tinued study of diseases over the years, combined with the dissection and study
of the human body in the 13th century, pointed out flaws in early Greek theories
, and led to more accurate medical texts based on detailed analysis rather than
conjecture. By the 18th century, the same methods of analysis and observation us
ed by scientists in other fields were applied to the study of medicine. This pav
ed the way for the increasingly effective methods of treatment and surgery that
have prevailed over the last 200 years.
@@Metallurgy
Metallurgy is the study of the properties of metals and the methods used to sepa
rate metal deposits from metal-bearing ores. Through the course of history, arti
sans have switched the materials from which they constructed weapons and tools t
o harder, more durable metals as they were discovered. However, metallurgy as a
science wasn't studied in earnest until the powers of Europe began to compete ag
ainst one another in an attempt to design better and more effective weapons star
ting around the14th century. Constant improvements in metallurgy led to the disc
overy of new metals and alloys that were stronger, lighter, and cheaper. As a re
sult of this race for military dominance, Europeans produced some of the most ad
vanced weaponry in the world during this time period.
@@The Monarchy
Rule by monarchy developed as a logical extension of the absolute rule of tribal
chieftains. Many of the earliest monarchs, such as those in ancient Egypt, clai
med that they ruled by divine right. In the spread of European monarchy during t
he Middle Ages, however, rulership was generally conveyed upon a leader who coul
d most effectively raise and command an army. Monarchies are dynastic, with rule
of the country passing to the eldest son when the king dies or retires. Monarch
s had absolute rule over their subjects, severely limiting the personal and econ
omic freedom of all citizens except for nobility and the rich upper-class. Altho
ugh monarchies ruled most of Europe for centuries, the unhappiness of lower-clas
s citizens eventually grew intolerable, causing several major revolutions. By th
e mid-18th century, the power of the European monarchs had been severely limited
, paving the way for participatory systems of government.
@@Mysticism
People of the ancient world were fascinated and awed by the forces of nature sur
rounding them. Earthquakes, storms and other phenomena were generally regarded a
s signs from heaven. Individuals and groups arose to formulate explanations for
these events, and pass the knowledge along to the tribe. The priests and prieste
sses of mysticism, often called oracles, claimed union with the divine through m
editation and trance-like contemplation. Primitive mysticism offered mankind the
first, tenuous links with the powers that shaped their world, and represented t
he first move toward the organized polytheistic and monotheistic religions to co
me.
@@Navigation
In the early days of seafaring, sailors operated solely through a process known
as "piloting", in which the position and course of the ship was determined by re
ferring to geographical landmarks. The need to stay in view of the shore severel
y limited the extent of sea voyages. Through experience, sailors learned to appl
y the science of astronomy to their profession, noting the positions and movemen
t of particular stars. They realized that even when the shore was out of sight,
they could steer by certain reliable stars. This crude, yet practical applicatio
n of astronomy allowed the adventurous to sail into the unknown with a reasonabl
e chance of finding their way. As a result, ship building technology quickly imp
roved, producing larger, more stable ships designed for longer voyages.
@@Nuclear Fission
According to Einstein's theory of relativity, even the smallest bit of matter is
equivalent to a tremendous amount of energy. For instance, two pounds of matter
, if converted completely into energy, would produce energy equivalent to the ex
plosive force of 22 megatons of high explosives. In 1939, based on German experi
ments that successfully split the uranium atom, physicists were able to explain
the process of nuclear fission. When a large, unstable atomic nucleus splits (f
issions) the result is two or more smaller, more stable nuclei accompanied by th
e release of tremendous amounts of energy and lingering, deadly radioactivity. T
he first application of this powerful technology was in warfare. A top-secret re
search effort in the U.S. known as the Manhattan Project studied the fission pro
cess, and eventually produced the first atomic bombs, which were dropped on the
Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. These relatively small bombs,
the only atomic weapons ever used in a war, each produced an explosion equivale
nt to more than 20,000 tons of TNT. The nuclear weapons of today are capable of
producing explosions thousands of times more powerful.
@@Nuclear Power
In addition to its potential for destruction, the energy released in nuclear fis
sion was seen as a potential source of controlled power generation. By 1944, lar
ge-scale nuclear reactors were in operation for the production of plutonium, alt
hough the energy produced by these reactors was not used. Following World War II
, increased efforts were turned toward the extensive use of nuclear power to pro
duce electricity. Nuclear power plants use the radiant energy of a controlled nu
clear reaction to heat water, converting it to steam to spin turbines that gener
ate electricity. The major drawback to nuclear fission is the lack of a safe mea
ns of disposal for the waste produced by the reaction, which retains its lethal
radioactivity for hundreds of years. Another hazard is the possibility of a malf
unction in the reactor that could lead to a meltdown of the core. Despite massiv
e safety precautions, human error and equipment failures can lead to devastating
accidents such as the explosion at Chernobyl in 1986, in which at least 30 peop
le were killed and thousands lost their homes and face possible long-term illnes
s after exposure to near-lethal doses of radiation. Because of growing public co
ncern, the development of new nuclear power plants has slowed as scientists sear
ch for viable solutions to these problems.
@@Philosophy
The term philosophy comes from a Greek term meaning "love of wisdom." In ancient
Greece, literacy and an interest in the natural world were common in a burgeoni
ng upper class. In their leisure time, these people contemplated principles of t
hinking and being, logic and mathematics, and the natures of reality and existen
ce. In ancient times, the study of philosophy was indistinguishable from the stu
dy of science, and many of the theories formulated by the early philosophers bec
ame the basis for studies in the fields of astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and p
hysics. The teachings and writings of the ancient philosophers of Greece and the
Orient also, in part, laid the groundwork for many of the world's oldest organi
zed religions.
@@Physics
Physics is the study of the many forms of matter and energy and of the way they
interact with themselves and each other. A number of ancient races made observat
ions about certain aspects of physics, such as planetary motion, but were unable
to develop theories as to the reasons for these motions. Some of the earliest a
pplications of physics were by the Greek mathematician Archemedes, who applied p
hysics to create such devices as levers and screws. It was not until the 17th ce
ntury that experimental methods and scientific measuring devices led to a true u
nderstanding of many fundamental physical laws. Early scientists such as Johanne
s Kepler and Sir Isaac Newton began to disprove the theories of the ancient Gree
k philosophers and scientifically prove their theories concerning the laws of ph
ysics. Discoveries in physics rarely have direct application, however they do pr
ovide a basic understanding of the laws governing the universe, thus forming the
basis for practical advances in technology.
@@Plastics
One of the spin-offs of researching more efficient ways to refine crude oil was
the invention of plastics, organic polymer materials that retain their strength
when molded into almost any shape. Starting in the 1920s, a flurry of research
into the nature and fabrication of plastics resulted in widespread developments
in the field, including the formulation of Plexiglas and nylon in the late 1930s
. The boom in plastics research and development continued into and after World W
ar II. Plastics were quickly adopted as cheap, sturdy substitutes for more tradi
tional materials such as glass, rubber, and silk. It seemed that plastics were o
ne of the most practical achievements of the Industrial Age. Despite their usefu
lness, plastics have proven to be an environmental hazard, since most plastics a
re not biodegradable,and they are therefore very difficult to dispose of. The si
gnificant pollution problem posed by plastics has been partially alleviated thro
ugh the widespread implementation of recycling programs.
@@Pottery
The invention of pottery was essential to the development of agricultural societ
ies. To get the most out of seasonal crops and domesticated animals, a tribe nee
ded sturdy, waterproof containers in which to store and protect surplus food. Th
e discoveries of the properties of clay, the invention of the kiln, and the pott
er's wheel made it possible to build such containers. The earliest examples of W
estern pottery date back to as early as 6500 BC. Most of the examples from this
period were strictly utilitarian. Although use continued to be primarily practic
al, decorative pottery soon became a ritualistic and aesthetic art form in cultu
res all over the world. Some of the most impressive examples of artistic pottery
come from the pre-Columbian cultures of South America, and from the Ming dynast
y in 14th century China.
@@Railroad
The predecessors to modern railroads were wagonways, which were constructed in E
ngland starting in the 16th century. Wagonways were roads of parallel planks upo
n which coal wagons were pulled by horses at a greater speed than would have bee
n possible on dirt roads. Wagonways were gradually improved by adding cross-ties
and iron strips to reinforce the track. Eventually, the planks became metal rai
ls, and evolved into the type of rails used on today's railroads by the start of
the 19th century. Soon after the steam locomotive was introduced in 1829, it re
placed horse-drawn wagons, giving birth to the railroad. Originally developed in
Britain and the eastern United States as a method of hauling heavy mining ores
and freight, railroads outshone canals in their ability to operate across any gr
ound and in nearly any weather. When railroads started carrying passengers as we
ll as goods, the potential for safe, fast, inexpensive transport became clear.
Railroads led to a dramatic increase in the amount of cargo, passengers, news,
and troops that could be moved quickly over great distances.
@@Recycling
Increasing world population has led to an inevitable increase in the amount of g
arbage produced by society. Conventional disposal methods, such as burial in a l
andfill, have proven inadequate to handle the growing waste problem. One solutio
n to this problem is the reuse of discarded materials through recycling. Althoug
h scrap metals and other materials have been reused in manufacturing processes f
or some time, true recycling is a broad-based, household-by-household effort. Th
e increasing pollution generated by industry and consumerism, added to the deple
tion of natural resources, make the re-use of materials less a concern of effici
ency and more as one of necessity for the survival of the human species. Not onl
y does the recycling of waste materials prevent the unwanted build-up of garbage
, it saves energy and slows the depletion of natural resources such as trees and
petroleum products.
@@Refining
When the demand for oil-based fuels for lighting and other purposes began to soa
r in the 19th century, scientists began searching for a way to make use of crude
oil. This research led to techniques in which crude oil was broken down, or ref
ined, into a number of different fuels, including kerosene and gasoline. As cons
umer demand continued to increase, commercial refineries were set up to purify c
rude oil. The new petroleum products produced as a result of the development and
perfection of the refining process led to the use of oil-based fuels in many co
nsumer and industrial applications. These include the use of gasoline to power a
utomobiles, and the use of oil for heating and for the generation of electrical
power.
@@The Republic
The republic is a system of government in which the citizens appoint, by popular
vote, a head of state and officials to represent the views of the general publi
c. The concept of the republic first appeared in ancient Rome, where local provi
nces sent elected representatives to the Senate, which governed all Roman lands.
Both the head of state and the local representatives in a republic are elected;
no one is granted a position by birth or divine right. Republican governments a
re similar in some ways to democracies, in that they offer a great deal of perso
nal, financial, and political freedom to their citizens. The main difference bet
ween the two systems is that a true democracy allows the participation of every
voting citizen in any and all political matters, whereas in a republic, the view
s and opinions of the people are represented by a body of elected officials. Alt
hough an effective system, personal agendas of political representatives might a
ct to decrease the effectiveness in representing the views of the people. Due to
human nature, corruption is fairly common in a republican government.
@@Robotics
The creation of machines to assist in, and increase the efficiency of, the manuf
acturing process gave birth to the factory system of production and started the
Industrial Revolution. The invention of digital computers in the late 1940's, an
d their refinement over the next several decades, took factory automation one st
ep further. Computer-controlled machines, called robots, were designed to perfor
m repetitive or dangerous tasks more quickly than humans. Experimental robots ca
pable of simple manipulation of objects were in operation by the late 1960's. Th
e first robots used on an assembly line were commissioned by General Motors in t
he 1970's. Constant improvements in the computer field have allowed the producti
on of incredibly versatile robots, capable of performing a wide variety of tasks
under virtually any environmental condition. Robots today are widely used in ma
nufacturing, scientific research, and space exploration.
@@Rocketry
Rockets are projectiles that are propelled by the expulsion of gases generated i
n a combustion chamber. The first solid-fuel rockets, invented by the Chinese in
the 13th century, used a mixture similar to gunpowder for fuel. Although rocket
s were used in warfare to set fire to buildings and the sails of ships for nearl
y 500 years, it wasn't until the early 19th century that the first crude explosi
ve rockets were used in battle. Research and design efforts by scientists such a
s Robert Goddard in the 20th century refined rocket design to produce faster, be
tter controlled rockets. During World War II, this new technology was used to cr
eate the German V-2 "buzz bomb", the first true guided missile. Scientific devel
opments since World War II have been applied to adapt the rocket for use in even
more powerful and accurate weapons with incredible range. The rocket is also us
ed in peaceful application such as the launch of satellites and the exploration
of space.
@@Space Flight
Utilizing the now well-developed science of rocketry, the modern exploration of
space began in October, 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. This tiny
satellite orbited the earth for 57 days, providing information on radiation and
other phenomena in the upper atmosphere. In less than a year, the United States
had also launched a satellite, Explorer 1. This started the "space race", years
of competition between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. to achieve new frontiers in sp
ace exploration. Space flight advanced rapidly from the simple sub-orbital fligh
ts of the 1950's, to manned missions to Earth's moon in the late 1960's. The rap
id growth of space technology led to many practical applications, such as weathe
r and surveillance satellites, and vastly improved worldwide communications. Tod
ay, although hindered by severe government budget cuts, the exploration of space
continues. Plans in the near future call for continued orbital exploration via
the space shuttle program, and the eventual construction of the multi-national,
manned space station "Freedom" in the early 21st century.
@@Steam Engine
The steam engine is a device that uses steam to generate power. Water, heated by
burning fuel (usually coal or wood), turns to steam. The steam is contained in
a chamber where it builds up pressure, causing a piston to move. The piston driv
es a turbine, the rotation of which produces power which can be use for such pur
poses as producing motion or generating electricity. The early principles of thi
s device were understood as early as the late 17th century, but it wasn't until
1769 that Scottish engineer James Watt patented a practical design for what was
to become the basis for the modern steam engine. The invention of the steam engi
ne led to a number of landmark developments, including the steam locomotive and
the earliest examples of automobiles. Steam engines remained the chief means of
motive power in the transportation industry until the invention of the more powe
rful and compact internal combustion engine. Steam turbines are still in use tod
ay in a number of applications including the generation of electrical power.
@@Amphibious Warfare
A combined land and sea attack, usually associated with the capture of a beach h
ead or coastal area, is known as amphibious warfare. First attempted by the anci
ent Persians durning the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, successful coordination o
f amphibious assaults are considered to be among the most complex military opera
tions. When ship-mounted guns were developed, naval vessels would open fire on g
round forces and gun emplacements while merchant ships were used to land troops
and supplies. The first modern amphibious assault took place at Gallipoli during
World War I. Poorly planned and executed, this assault failed, but served as an
example of the need for perfect coordination of forces in this type of attack.
As battlefield communications improved, and the range of ship-mounted weapons in
creased, amphibious warfare became increasingly successful, and played a vital r
ole in World War II. Today, amphibious operations are augmented by fast, armored
landing vehicles; hovercraft that are capable of moving troops to and across th
e beach; and airborne assistance from planes and helicopters.
@@Combined Arms
Advanced flight technology, combined with the principles of amphibious warfare a
nd mobile warfare, represent the potential for a devastating attack force. Combi
ned air, sea, and ground assaults played a vital role in World War II. The Allie
d invasion of Normandy in June 1944 represented such an attack. Bombers and figh
ters were deployed over the target area to claim the skies, while naval vessels
sat off the coast and bombarded the beach head. Transports then landed troops an
d equipment on the beach to begin a ground assault. Modern advances make today's
combined assaults even more effective. Naval vessels and stealth aircraft equip
ped with cruise missiles and smart bombs soften enemy resistance before a ground
assault. Helicopters drop and retrieve soldiers behind enemy lines in places no
t accessible to fixed-wing aircraft. Powerful armored tanks, such as the M1, can
be quickly deployed, moving at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Finally, the com
bined assault is coordinated through a network of sophisticated communication, t
argeting, and detection devices, allowing more precise deployment of forces than
previously possible in history.
@@Economics
The ideas of supply and demand, and philosophies concerning trade and the produc
tion and consumption of goods and services, are concepts that have existed since
the dawn of mankind. As societies became more complex, however, people began to
study these abstract concepts in a more formal way. The first recorded study of
economics as a science, rather than a philosophical or political concept, was t
he book "The Wealth of Nations" by Scottish economist Adam Smith. This book repr
esents the first attempt to fully analyze sources of income and the distribution
of wealth. Smith's analysis of economics served as a guide by which many of the
governmental economic policies of the present day were formed.
@@Environmentalism
For centuries, human society has taken the gifts of nature for granted. As civil
ization grew, humans spread out across the face of the planet, taking what they
needed from the land and producing more and more waste materials with little reg
ard for the future. In the late 1960's, a growing number of people became concer
ned about the growing problems of pollution and the destruction of natural habit
ats. This movement led to the formation of groups like the Environmental Protect
ion Agency (EPA). The EPA's aim is to reduce all types of pollution. To this end
, the agency has imposed strict laws and guidelines concerning the disposal of h
azardous materials, set clean water standards, and studied more effective techni
ques of solid waste disposal. The primary goal of the environmental movement as
a whole is to make sure that the environment is safe and intact for future gener
ations to enjoy.
@@Espionage
As far back as 500 BC, the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu stressed the impo
rtance of the gathering of covert information about one's enemy. Although every
world government has strict laws and penalties to deal with spies, covert intell
igence is an important political, technological, and military commodity. During
times of war, covert operatives provide important information about enemy troop
movements and weapons technology. Spies may also be called upon to perform acts
of sabotage in order to delay or divert the enemy. In peacetime, organizations s
uch as the CIA use operatives to keep track of potential political situations ab
road. Spying is not limited to politics and war; industrial spies are often used
to gain information about rival companies.
@@Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is a governing system whose laws and doctrines are rooted in the
extremist and controversial views of religion. Fundamentalists believe in the ab
solute truth and infallibility of their religion, accepting nothing short of a l
iteral interpretation of the scriptures of their faith. Their views are sometime
s so radical as to put them at odds with even the most devout traditionalists of
the religion in question. Fundamentalist movements have appeared from time to t
ime throughout the world, including a widespread movement of Christian fundament
alism in the U.S. in the early 20th century. In some cases, most notably in area
s of the Middle East, these movements are so widespread that entire nations fall
under Fundamentalist rule. Such governments, backed by a fanatical military for
ce, can be a serious threat to any country that opposes their radical views.
@@Guerrilla Warfare
In extreme situations, usually spawned by an oppressive or militaristic system o
f government, small groups of citizens have been known to form armed factions. I
n many cases, these splinter groups lack the numbers, finances, and armament to
start a full-scale revolution. Instead, they adopt a practice of undermining gov
ernmental authority through covert military operations. These operations usually
take the form of hit-and-run raids, where rebel soldiers launch a surprise atta
ck on an enemy target, then disappear into hiding, only to strike again at some
other time and place. Such tactics, known as guerrilla warfare, seldom have any
lasting effect individually. However, over many years, guerrilla factions can be
come a serious threat to governmental authority if the rebels cannot be caught a
nd suppressed. Tactics of this sort were used to great effect by the partisan fo
rces in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.
@@The Laser
Laser is an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
". Lasers produce an amplified, coherent beam of light by using photons to energ
ize or excite the electrons in the beam. The principles for the underlying theor
y of the stimulated emission of light was first proposed by Einstein in 1917. Th
e first helium-neon gas laser was built in 1961. Years of research and developme
nt have led to a wide variety of laser applications in many different fields. La
sers can be used for everything from the precision cutting of almost any materia
l and performing micro-surgery to reading digital data and music information off
of a compact disc. The military currently uses lasers for weapons targeting sys
tems, and it has been proposed that laser technology could be used to defend aga
inst an enemy missile attack.
@@Leadership
Through the Middle Ages, military forces were only assembled as needed, and cont
inued to serve until the current conflict had ended. Though certain leaders had
proven to be adept and occasionally brilliant in their methods, the short period
s for which they served made their fame short-lived. As regular armies became mo
re prevalent, military leaders had the opportunity to distinguish themselves thr
ough the formulation of brilliant military tactics. The tactics of leaders such
as these would be studied by successive generations, and modified to fit new sit
uations up to and including the present day.
@@Machine Tools
One of the most important steps in the move toward industrialization was the abi
lity to precisely shape or "machine" solid metal into a desired form. Through me
chanical, chemical, and other means, machine tools mold and shape raw materials
into precision parts for complex machinery. The first machine tool, a horizontal
boring device, was produced in the late 1700's. The development of measuring de
vices accurate to within a millionth of an inch allowed for the mass production
of items with interchangeable parts. The technology of the 20th century has prod
uced computer-controlled machine tools that can be adapted to a wide variety of
applications. The speed and accuracy of these machines allows for the economical
mass production of extremely complex products.
@@Miniaturization
Early radios and other electronic devices relied on vacuum tube technology. Beca
use the tubes took up a great deal of space, the devices that utilized them tend
ed to be very bulky and cumbersome. In the late 1940's, the development of the t
ransistor provided a compact alternative to vacuum tubes. Transistors were capab
le of achieving the same level of power amplification achieved by tubes while ta
king up much less space, and using only a fraction of the power. Starting in the
1960's, the integrated circuit provided still another level of miniaturization.
An integrated circuit the size of a transistor could perform the function of 20
transistors. Today, the microprocessor, a modern refinement of the original int
egrated circuits, can incorporate the functions of several complete printed circ
uit boards into a single, low-power consumption chip less than two inches square
, allowing for the construction of hand-held computers with more computing power
than the huge mainframes used in the 70's and 80's.
@@Mobile Warfare
The idea of using heavy weapons on the battlefield dates back to the 15th centur
y when heavy cannons were mounted on wheels and towed into battle by horses. Thi
s first use of mobile artillery, devastatingly effective in its time, pales in c
omparison to the tactics used in 20th century armored warfare. Tanks were first
used during World War I. A successful assault utilizing 400 tanks in November 19
17, resulting in the capture of 8000 enemy troops and 100 guns near Cambrai, pav
ed the way for a significant shift in battlefield tactics. During World War II,
armored vehicles were used extensively throughout Europe and Africa by both Alli
ed and Axis powers. The might and mobility of an armored assault was more than a
match for countries who lacked proper defenses against such an attack. Armored
warfare still plays an important role in battlefield tactics. This was proven in
the Persian Gulf war, where the M1 Abrams tank proved to be a vital component o
f the ground assault force in Kuwait.
@@Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God. Perhaps the oldest monothei
stic religion is Judaism. The original Israelites were polytheistic in a sense,
since they did not deny the existence of other gods in addition to their own. Ho
wever, after being exiled to Babylonia in 586 BC, the Judeans turned to a truly
monotheistic religion, where the God of Israel was seen as the universal God rul
ing the destiny of all nations. The scriptures of Judaism became part of the tea
chings of the two most widespread monotheistic religions, Christianity and Islam
. More developed than earlier polytheistic beliefs, monotheistic religions tend
to encompass and structure the entire lifestyles of the people who practice them
.
@@Future Technology
Since the dawn of mankind, human needs and desires have combined to produce idea
s and inventions that make life easier and more productive. New technological br
eakthroughs have become an almost daily occurrence in the modern era, and new id
eas will continue to drive human knowledge to higher and higher levels well into
the future.
@@Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief that the world and the environment is ruled or controll
ed by a number of different gods or divinities. Many ancient religions were poly
theistic, notably those of the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Norse, and the Romans.
Often, polytheistic religions have different gods for each force of nature and
earthly phenomenon; for instance: a sun god, a moon god, a god of thunder, a god
of the forests, and so forth. The reason for such diversity in divine beings pr
obably stems from ancient civilizations attempting to find explanations for natu
ral events they could not understand. Although some isolated examples still exis
t today, most polytheistic religions have either died out or evolved into monoth
eism.
@@Radio
Prior to Gugliemo Marconi's invention of the radio in 1896, long-distance commun
ication was carried out either by mail or over miles of cable via telegraph. Mar
coni's first demonstration of the radio telegraph transmitted a message just ove
r one mile without the use of wires. Continued improvements increased transmissi
on range to over 200 miles by early 1901, and by the end of the year a single le
tter ("A") had been transmitted across the Atlantic Ocean. By 1905, many ships w
ere equipped with radio telegraphs for ship-to-ship and ship-to-land communicati
ons, and by 1915 the invention of the three-element vacuum tube, or triode, made
it possible to regularly transmit voice messages over the airwaves. Throughout
the years, radio has been refined not only for communication, but for detection
and ranging (Radar) and astronomy.
@@Refrigeration
Prior to World War I, ice was the most widely used means of refrigeration for pe
rishable items. After the war, electrical refrigerators became commonly availabl
e. The availability of these systems allowed for more constant and efficient coo
ling, in turn allowing perishable meats, dairy products, and other items to be s
tored, or even frozen, for long periods of time. As a result, food producers cou
ld increase their output, since excess food could be stored for later sale or co
nsumption. The concept of the wholesale selling of bulk foods (known as the supe
rmarket) was, in part, made possible by improved refrigeration. The same method
used in food refrigeration was also developed for use in air conditioners.
@@Sanitation
The increased waste produced by growing populations over time eventually led to
potential health hazards. It then became necessary to come up with systems to di
spose of garbage and human waste in a sanitary manner. Plumbing systems designed
to remove waste water from dwellings and public buildings became commonplace, a
s did sewage plants which treated the wastewater before it was dumped into local
waterways. Landfills were established, and garbage was collected for sanitary d
isposal in dumps and landfills a safe distance from the general population. Thes
e measures led to a healthier environment, and allowed for further population gr
owth.
@@Seafaring
As empires grew and trade expanded to new areas, travel by sea became increasing
ly important to the civilizations of the world. Experienced sailors passed down
their lore and techniques to new generations who sailed to increasingly distant
lands. Originally, these long voyages were trade-oriented. But the ability to tr
avel great distances led to a new breed of adventurers whose goal was primarily
one of exploration. The Vikings were some of the earliest and most successful ex
plorers in history. Their knowledge of the sea and experience with long ocean vo
yages allowed explorers such as Leif Ericson to successfully cross the Atlantic
and land in the Americas more than 500 years before Columbus. The pioneering spi
rit of these early ocean travelers formed the basis for the seafaring traditions
of generations to come.
@@Stealth
It has long been recognized that in warfare, the best advantage available is sur
prise. If one can approach an enemy undetected, the attack has a better chance o
f being successful. The widespread use of radar starting in World War II greatly
decreased the possibility of surprise for an airborne assault. Planes could be
detected from miles away, giving the enemy a chance to prepare for the attack. O
ver the years, the military has employed many different approaches to solve this
problem. The most recent development is "Stealth" technology. Stealth planes ar
e painted with radar-absorbing paint, and designed in such a way as to minimize
the number of angular surfaces from which an enemy can bounce a radar signal. Th
e engines are also hooded to reduce the plane's heat signature. The result is an
aircraft capable of approaching an enemy target, launching an attack, and retur
ning to base with little chance of detection. The F-117A Stealth Fighter was use
d with great effectiveness by US forces in the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
@@Tactics
The science of the deployment of military forces to accomplish a short-range goa
l or objective is known as tactics. In unique or difficult situations, the maneu
vers and methods of attack must be chosen wisely to give ones troops the maximum
possible advantage over the enemy by taking advantage of the enemy's weaknesses
. The successful tactics of military commanders are studied by their successors
for possible modification and use under current conditions. Although tactics tha
t work well in certain situations may not always be successful when used again,
proven military tactics have worked well in many different battle situations thr
oughout history. The vast amount of advanced equipment and resources available i
n modern warfare make the proper tactical coordination of a campaign vital, but
difficult to achieve with total success.
@@Theology
Theology is the study of God and religious truth. Theologians take a more or les
s scientific approach to questions of religion, deeply studying the underlying m
eaning of scriptures and religious teachings rather than "taking them on faith".
Theological seminaries teach courses of study in theology to prepare people as
priests and clergymen. Many of the earliest colleges of the western world were o
riginally established for this purpose. Theological study helped to remove some
of the superstitions that had surrounded religion for so long, and brought relig
ious study into a more enlightened age.
@@Warrior Code
The samurai of feudal Japan lived by a doctrine known as "Bushido", or "the way
of the warrior". This code of behavior stressed such virtues as loyalty, courage
, and politeness. The honor of the warrior could only be maintained if the rules
of the code were followed. A similar code of behavior known as chivalry was lat
er developed under the feudal system in medieval Europe. Although the strict adh
erence to both Bushido and chivalry were abandoned along with the feudal system
in the 1800's, certain principals of discipline and behavior inherent in these s
ystems can still be found in the military today.
@@Wheel
The invention of the wheel represented a major turning point in human civilizati
on. The first wheels, disks carved from solid wood, may have been built as early
as 3500 BC. The earliest use of this device was the potter's wheel, used to spi
n and shape clay pottery. It was not long before the true potential of the wheel
was discovered, and wheeled carts soon replaced the sledge as a means of transp
ortation. Rapid developments, such as wheels consisting of a ring with radial sp
okes, made the wheel even more practical by reducing its weight. By using the wh
eel, mankind gained the ability to work more efficiently and travel more quickly
. Besides its use in transportation, the wheel went on to become the basic princ
iple behind almost every mechanical device.
@@Writing
The development of writing is considered one of the most important advances of c
ivilization. The earliest forms of writing were simple symbols and marks, used t
o keep accounts and inventories. Some cultures developed pictographic symbols to
tell stories and record events. Eventually, complete systems of writing were de
veloped, capable of conveying any thought that could be expressed orally. At thi
s point, scribes replaced the oral historian as the chief keepers of records. Wr
iting allowed the presentation of information in a form that could be reliably t
ransmitted from person to person and made it possible for ideas, history, and kn
owledge to be stored permanently and passed between cultures more reliably than
through oral recitation.
@@Gunpowder
Gunpowder is a chemical mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. When ignited
, it burns rapidly and explodes if contained to any degree. Gunpowder is believe
d to have been developed by the Chinese, who used it in fireworks as early as th
e 9th century, but it did not reach Europe until the 14th century. Europeans imm
ediately saw the potential of this substance, and manufactured it for use in wea
pons as early as 1334. The discovery of gunpowder led to the invention of firear
ms, such as the musket, which led to the replacement of archers in most armies o
f the world by the late 1500s. Gunpowder marked one of the major technological t
urning points in military history, significantly changing the way wars were foug
ht.
@@Horseback Riding
The horse was first domesticated for transportation and warfare by tribesmen on
the Asian steppes. These tribesmen used their superior mobility and speed to ove
rwhelm the proto-civilizations just rising in southeast Europe and the Middle Ea
st. In approximately 2000 BC, domestic horses were introduced into Babylonia. Wi
thin the next several centuries, horses had spread throughout much of Europe and
northern Africa. It was not long before nearly every civilization had put horse
s to work as field animals and as a means of transportation. Horses also went on
to play an important role in the military conflicts of nearly every civilizatio
n in the world, both as mounts for horsemen and cavalry, and as draft animals fo
r pulling war chariots and heavy weapons into battle.
@@Industrialization
Industrialization involves the use of machines to dramatically increase producti
vity. Production of goods became concentrated in factories, where the combinatio
n of specialization of labor and automation reduced labor costs and, ultimately,
the cost of the final manufactured product to the consumers. Industrialization
revolutionized living standards, both positively and negatively. The rapid grow
th of production industries and the reduced cost of production has led to the pr
osperity of some of the richest families in history. Industrialization has also
led to the creation of a blue collar working class. In newly industrialized nati
ons, these workers, skilled only in their chosen trade, were often underpaid and
forced to endure abominable working conditions.
@@Invention
The contrivance of a previously unknown device, method, or process which can, in
turn, be used to accomplish an objective in a ways thought to be impossible, is
known as invention. Essentially, inventiveness is the ability to take one or mo
re newly discovered concepts and find a way to put them to practical use. The ea
rliest inventions of mankind date back to ancient stone and metal tools used for
hunting, digging, and other everyday tasks. After writing allowed the ideas of
various civilizations to be exchanged and studied, mankind's inventions became i
ncreasingly more useful and innovative. Most inventions are geared toward improv
ing or simplifying human existence in some way. Often, inventions themselves mak
e it possible to make new discoveries, which then go on to inspire better and mo
re innovative inventions.
@@Iron Working
Some examples of iron ornamentation date back to 4000 BC, but the use of iron fo
r tools, weapons, and other practical purposes did not become common until much
later. Prior to this time, bronze was the most widely used metal for such purpos
es. Although the term "Iron Age" denotes a period of time starting around 1000 B
C, iron replaced bronze as the metal of choice at different times in different p
laces. Iron is more common than both copper and tin, the component metals of bro
nze, but iron is seldom found in a free state; it is most commonly found mixed w
ith other minerals and elements. In order to be used, the iron must be separated
from the ore. Once this technique was developed, and forges hot enough to melt
the iron were developed, iron working became commonplace. Worked iron was harder
, less brittle, and could hold a much sharper edge than bronze. Iron has remaine
d an important metal throughout history, and is one of the major components in t
he production of steel.
@@Steel
The iron alloys produced up until about the 14th century were made by heating a
mixture of iron ore and charcoal in a forge, then pounding the molten metal to d
rive out the impurities or "slag". Occasionally, the iron mixture would absorb m
ore carbon, creating steel rather than wrought iron. Because steel proved to be
less brittle and more resistant to corrosion than iron, techniques were develope
d to produce steel. This was done by blowing a coal derivative called coke throu
gh molten iron. Most modern steel making utilizes the "blast furnace", developed
by Henry Bessemer in 1855, to accomplish this task on a large-scale basis. The
strength and other qualities of steel make it the material of choice for warship
s, planes, and many other vehicles.
@@Superconductor
Any material through which an electrical current can pass with relatively little
resistance is known as a conductor. When an electric current passes through mos
t conductors, part of that current is lost due to resistance, which varies depen
ding on the conducting material and the ambient temperature. Some conductors, wh
en cooled to temperatures near absolute zero, lose all resistance to current. Th
ese are known as superconductors. Because no energy is lost to resistance, super
conductors can lead to a wide variety of practical uses. These include super-fas
t computers, powerful electromagnetic fields strong enough to contain fusion rea
ctions, and the completely efficient generation and transmission of electrical p
ower. Although the extremely low temperatures necessary to produce superconducti
vity have limited its uses thus far, recent developments hint that some unusual
materials may be superconductive even at room temperatures. The isolation and la
rge-scale production of these materials could lead to a new revolution in the fi
eld of electronics.
@@Theory of Gravity
In the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton developed the law of universal gravitation
. This law recognized that every mass in the universe exerts an attraction on ev
ery other mass. Newton postulated that gravity was a universal force that affect
ed all matter. Newton's theory served to explain the forces of attraction betwee
n the Earth and nearby objects, as well as the forces that affect the motion of
planets and other astronomical bodies. In the early 20th century, Albert Einstei
n's special theory of relativity led to a major reinterpretation and clarificati
on of Newton's theory of gravity. Scientists now believe that gravity affects en
ergy as well as matter, and that gravity is actually a fundamental warping of th
e fabric of space-time. Some theorize that the force of this warping is transmit
ted by as-yet-unobserved particles called gravitons.
@@Trade
One of the oldest and most widespread social institutions is the exchange of goo
ds, or trade. Most ancient trade consisted of barter, where two traders would ex
change goods with one another. The widespread practice of trade allowed civiliza
tions to exchange raw materials and goods which they had in abundance or could e
asily produce, for items that were rare or nonexistent in their geographic regio
n. The introduction of regulated currency that could be exchanged for items resu
lted in easier, more convenient trade. Merchants soon roamed the world, connecti
ng different lands with webs of economic interdependence. In addition to goods a
nd profits, traders also brought back tales and technology from these foreign la
nds. Well-traveled traders like Marco Polo were among the most learned sources o
n the cultures and traditions of foreign lands.
@@The University
Institutes of higher learning, such as the Academy of Plato in Athens which taug
ht advanced philosophical principles, existed in the ancient world. It was not u
ntil the 12th century, however, that the model for the modern university system
was born. In the Middle Ages, some royal governments and ecclesiastical organiza
tions founded exclusive schools dedicated to training young men in specific prof
essions. At that time, each university specialized in a single topic like law, t
heology, music, or medicine. Through the centuries, universities diversified to
include a number of different fields of study. Modern universities consists of s
everal faculties, or colleges, each of which has a specific curriculum. In addit
ion to their roles as learning institutions, universities have, since their ince
ption, acted as centers for scientific research and advancement.
@IMPROVEMENT_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the IMPROV.PDE
text file in the original
;Civilopedia. (French and German versions are .PDF and .PDG respectively.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry. For example, Palace will be the 16'th (remembe
r,
; the list is zero based) description below begining with @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@IMPROVEMENT_INDEX
-1, ; Nothing
15, ; Palace
2, ; Barracks
8, ; Granary
22, ; Temple
12, ; MarketPlace
10, ; Library
6, ; Courthouse
4, ; City Walls
0, ; Aqueduct
1, ; Bank
3, ; Cathedral
23, ; University
13, ; Mass Transit
5, ; Colosseum
7, ; Factory
11, ; Manufacturing Plant
18, ; SDI Defense
17, ; Recycling Center
16, ; Power Plant
9, ; Hydro Plant
14, ; Nuclear Plant
34, ; Stock Exchange
32, ; Sewer System
35, ; Supermarket
36, ; Superhighways
30, ; Research Lab
31, ; SAM Missile Battery
26, ; Coastal Fortress
33, ; Solar Plant
37, ; Harbor
27, ; Offshore Platform
24, ; Airport
28, ; Police Station
29, ; Port Facility
21, ; SS Structural
19, ; SS Component
20, ; SS Module
25, ; (Capitalization)
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
@@Aqueduct
A major obstacle to population growth and expansion in early cities was the scar
city of water. In many cases, the solution to this problem was an aqueduct. Aque
ducts were large, elevated stone "canals" through which water from nearby hills
and mountains was channeled into the city. Aqueducts allowed cities to grow much
larger by significantly increasing the amount of available water. At the same t
ime aqueducts reduced the chance of contracting water-borne diseases, by reducin
g the dependence on stagnant ponds and wells as water sources. Aqueducts also al
lowed cities to be built in normally inhospitable environments, such as deserts,
by providing an outside water source. Modern day Los Angeles, for example, obta
ins its water supply from the Colorado River, through a system of aqueducts over
200 miles long.
@@Bank
A highly developed banking system is one of the cornerstones of an advanced civi
lization. Banks lend money to individuals or groups, providing capital for indus
trial and real estate development. Banks also contribute to the economic growth
of a city or region by stimulating the development of production facilities. Ind
ividual citizens can also benefit by investing their own surplus money in the ba
nk and earning interest on it.
@@Barracks
Warfare has been a recurring phenomenon throughout the history of mankind, and i
t continues to plague the world today. Although war is not a desirable situation
, it is important that even the most peaceful of societies be prepared for the p
ossibility of war. When warring nations are closely matched in technology and ma
npower, battles are usually won by the army with the best training. Military sch
ools and academies exist all over the world, established for the purpose of trai
ning military personnel in the latest methods, tactics, and technology. Men and
women who graduate from such facilities possess higher than average command and
military and technological skills, making them more effective in combat situatio
ns.
@@Cathedral
Throughout the Dark Ages that followed the fall of the Roman Empire, the Christi
an Church was a major influence in the revival of European civilization. In reco
gnition of the expanding influence of the church, great cathedrals were built in
the largest towns and cities, to act as centers of religious study and worship.
In addition to their religious significance, cathedrals acted as the center of
social and cultural activity in the town. They brought great pride, stability, a
nd tradition to the citizens of the community.
@@City Walls
Before the establishment of centralized governments capable of supporting strong
, national armies, individual cities were left to fend for themselves when it ca
me to defense. As a result, many cities constructed city walls to protect agains
t raiders and bandits. City walls represented a major investment in both time an
d materials, requiring years to complete and constant repairs to maintain their
strength and integrity. However, these walls turned the city into a fortress cap
able of withstanding all but the most determined attack.
@@Colosseum
The original colosseum provided entertainment for the common people of Roman soc
iety by presenting them with spectacles and events as a temporary escape from da
y-to-day life. This concept has been revived in the 20th Century. Modern-day sta
diums and civic centers provide an arena for entertainment ranging from concerts
to professional sporting events. Although the violent spectacle of gladiatorial
combat is a thing of the past, today's colosseums still provide entertainment a
nd diversion for the masses.
@@Courthouse
As kingdoms and empires expanded, it became increasingly difficult for the ruler
s to maintain control over the more distant regions of their realm. To ensure th
at the far-flung cities of the empire contributed their expected share of duties
and taxes to the government, local magistrates and courts were established. In
the courthouse, the ruler's representatives listened to the grievances of the pe
ople and defined and enforced the laws that governed social interaction. This re
duced crime, and thereby kept the local population productive.
@@Factory
Early examples of factory-like production, where a number of individuals work co
operatively to produce goods for sale or trade, can be found as far back as anci
ent Greece and Rome. Modern factories, however, evolved from the concept of spec
ialized labor, where each worker performed a single step in the overall producti
on of an item. This specialization allows factories to increase the speed and ef
ficiency of the manufacturing process, far surpassing earlier means of productio
n. The development of the factory system as a means of production played a key r
ole in the Industrial Revolution.
@@Granary
Early humans were nomadic, settling in specific regions only for brief periods o
f time. When the food supply was exhausted in one area, the nomads would move on
to search for more. Cities became possible only when the development of agricul
ture made the supply of food more abundant and dependable. However, cities still
needed a way to keep the food supply stable throughout all four seasons. To do
so, the citizens had to come up with a way to store seasonal crops for later use
. The Granary was designed for the storage and protection of surplus food. Food
storage technology meant that a smaller percentage of the population could produ
ce and store enough food for everyone, allowing the remainder to pursue other jo
bs and activities.
@@Hydro Plant
One alternative to power generation utilizing coal or petroleum fuels is the hyd
roelectric power plant. This facility utilizes the energy of rapidly moving wate
r to turn the turbines of its generators and produce electricity. In locations w
here a source of moving water is available, hydro plants offer a clean, safe alt
ernative to coal, petroleum, and nuclear power generation. However, hydro plants
have their own set of environmental dangers. The disruption of a river's normal
flow and the massive flooding of the land behind the facility's dam can destroy
the habitat of the wildlife inhabiting the river basin.
@@Library
The development of writing meant that the accumulated knowledge of a society cou
ld be written down and stored rather than memorized and passed along by word of
mouth. The accumulated written material was stored in a library. The libraries o
f the ancient world, especially those at Alexandria and Pergamum, became leading
centers of science and scholarship. The librarians actively collected the books
of the world, accelerating the spread of knowledge.
@@Manufacturing Plant
Manufacturing plants are large industrial complexes that produce goods of all ty
pes, although they are generally used to produce durable consumer goods such as
automobiles. Essentially, a manufacturing plant is a large, sophisticated factor
y that employs specialization of labor, complex machinery, and assembly lines to
gain efficiency and economies of scale. This combination of manpower and automa
tion increases productivity and reduces production costs.
@@Marketplace
As cities grew and prospered, trade between the farmers, artisans, and craftsmen
who lived in the vicinity contributed to the economic health of the city. It so
on became apparent that the best way for conducting trade within the city was to
have a central location, or marketplace, where the people offering goods and se
rvices, or seeking them, could meet and conduct business. As a city's marketplac
e grew larger and more active, the economic vitality of the city grew as well.
@@Mass Transit
Within a few decades of the invention of the automobile, the horse-drawn carriag
e disappeared from city streets. Along with all the advantages offered by the au
tomobile, this new means of transportation quickly became a significant source o
f air pollution. As larger cities became more crowded, the number of cars increa
sed, making travel difficult and adding to the pollution problem as automobile t
raffic clogged the streets. The development of mass transit systems, including b
usses, trolleys, subways, and light rail, led to a reduction in traffic and, as
a result, a reduction in air pollution.
@@Nuclear Power Plant
Nuclear power plants utilize radioactive materials and the process of nuclear fi
ssion to generate the heat and steam needed to run electrical generators and pro
duce electricity. Because nuclear power doesn't cause the air pollution associat
ed with the burning of coal or petroleum products, this means of generating powe
r is considered a viable alternative energy source. However, the toxic nature of
the byproducts produced by the fission process creates serious problems of its
own. No method of safely disposing of this toxic waste has been found, and the v
olatile nature of the fission reaction can lead to a meltdown of the reactor cor
e if the reaction is not properly controlled. Because of these problems, the fut
ure of nuclear power is uncertain.

@@Palace
When populations began to organize their communities into cities, their governme
nts became more structured and formalized. At an early stage, the ruler of the c
ity established headquarters from which the business of running the city was con
ducted. In many cases, these buildings also served as the living quarters of the
ruler. In wealthy cities, these facilities often expanded into immense, sprawli
ng palaces. These richly adorned, imposing buildings were a source of civic prid
e, and helped to reinforce the aura of power surrounding the ruler.
@@Power Plant
Power plants burn coal and other fossil fuels to produce the heat and steam nece
ssary to run generators that produce electrical power. When electricity became w
idely and cheaply available, it meant that industries could convert from steam t
o electrical power to run their machinery. One central power plant could supply
the electrical needs of a relatively large geographic area. However, increasing
demands for electricity, by both consumer and commercial customers, led to a ris
e in the number of power plants. This, in turn, led to problems with air polluti
on. As more plants went on line, more fossil fuels were burned to generate power
. Because modern society depends so heavily on electricity, researchers are cons
tantly searching for alternate forms of energy to satisfy ever-increasing demand
s.
@@Recycling Center
The continual growth in city populations leads to an inevitable increase in garb
age. Eventually, existing landfills and garbage dumps are filled, forcing new d
umping sites to be established. This leads to the gradual but steady destruction
of the local environment. To reverse this problem, many areas have established
recycling centers, where much of the garbage is sorted and reduced to reusable c
omponents through various means. These components are then used to manufacture n
ew products. In this way, much of the trash produced is turned into raw material
s for production, rather than contributing to the ever-increasing pollution prob
lem.
@@SDI Defense
Historically, research in the area of warfare has seen the development of powerf
ul new weapons closely followed by the development of defenses to counteract the
weapons' destructive power. The development of nuclear weapons seemed to be the
exception to this rule: for the first time, mankind had created a weapon to whi
ch there was apparently no effective defense. SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)
, however, could be the answer to this problem. Using laser-equipped orbital sat
ellites or ground-launched ABMs (Anti-Ballistic Missiles) to intercept and destr
oy enemy nuclear missiles in mid-air, the SDI Defense offers the first hope of n
egating the threat posed by nuclear missiles.
@@Spaceship Component
Spaceship components provide the motive power of a spaceship. There are two type
s: propulsion and fuel. Propulsion components are the spaceship engines, and eac
h fuel component provides enough fuel to run one engine. Every propulsion compon
ent requires a fuel component in order to function. At minimum, a spaceship requ
ires one of each type of component. The more engines the spaceship possesses, th
e faster it will arrive at its destination.
@@Spaceship Module
Modules are the central components of a spaceship. There are three types: habita
tion, life support, and solar panels. Each habitation module provides living spa
ce for 10,000 colonists. Each life support module provides enough food, water, a
nd other basic requirements to support the colonists in one habitation module. B
oth habitation and life support modules require power in order to operate, and e
ach solar panel module provides enough energy to run two other modules. At minim
um, every spaceship requires one of each type of module in order to be successfu
l in its mission.
@@Spaceship Structural
The structural parts of a spaceship are the frame to which all other parts of th
e spaceship are attached. All spaceship components and modules must be connected
to a structural section in order to function. Components and modules not connec
ted to the frame are outlined in red on the spaceship display.
@@Temple
In ancient times, almost every city had a temple dedicated to the city's patron
god. Many cities also had temples dedicated to other gods as well. In modern tim
es temples are thought of as places of worship, like churches and cathedrals. An
cient societies, however, considered temples to be the local dwelling place for
the god or goddess to whom they were dedicated. The faithful citizens brought gi
fts of food, rare metals, and spices to the temple as a sign of homage and respe
ct. The presence of a temple in the city had a comforting effect on the populat
ion, and wise rulers often constructed one as soon as the city began to grow.
@@University
Universities are institutions of higher learning. Early universities, establishe
d in the Middle Ages, were usually built in cities that had a large or important
cathedral. Studies at these institutions focused on matters concerning the chur
ch. The curricula quickly expanded to include classical art, literature, and lan
guages. Modern universities provide the opportunity to study a wide array of sub
jects. They have also become centers for research into many fields, serving as t
he source of major advances in computers, medicine, physics, and a variety of ot
her subjects.
@@Airport
Since the middle of the 20th century, the airplane has been one of the chief mea
ns of long-distance transport in the world. Nearly every major metropolitan area
today has at least one airport, with facilities to handle passengers and ticket
ing, as well as facilities for refueling and repairing the aircraft that land th
ere. Beginning in the 1940's, the growing role of airplanes as combat vehicles l
ed to the widespread construction of military air bases. Nearly 400 of these fac
ilities in the U.S. alone act as bases and maintenance facilities for aircraft a
ssigned to all branches of the military.
@@Capitalization
In the business world, companies often need large amounts of cash in order to me
et expenses, update facilities, or expand their operations. When there are insuf
ficient funds available to fulfill these needs, these corporations often resort
to capitalization in order to raise money. This process involves the sale of a p
ortion of the company's liquid assets. Liquid assets are assets that can be easi
ly converted into cash. These can include surplus raw materials and finished goo
ds, as well as stocks and bonds. The sale of these assets provides the infusion
of money needed to meet the company's current needs.
@@Coastal Fortress
The construction of defensive structures such as city walls and fortified castle
s dates back to ancient times. City walls were designed primarily to repel an at
tack launched by ground-based forces, and they performed adequately in such a si
tuation. However, coastal cities were also vulnerable to attack from sea bombard
ments, since even a city wall left sea ports relatively unprotected. The best wa
y to protect the port was to keep the enemy out of range of the city. This was a
ccomplished by constructing fortresses to cover the approach to the city. These
coastal fortresses, built at the mouth of the city's harbor or on barrier island
s, would hold enemy vessels at bay, turning away or thinning out the attacking f
orce and minimizing damage to the city's port.
@@Offshore Platform
Mankind's dependence on wood and coal as a main source of fuel ended when the fi
rst commercial oil well went into production in Pennsylvania in 1859. Crude oil
could be refined into many different byproducts, and soon replaced wood and coal
in many parts of the world. The growing dependence on oil caused the petroleum
industry to grow rapidly and wells were drilled all over the world. Most wells w
ere initially drilled on land, but after World War II it was found that many of
the largest oil deposits could be found below the sea floor. Shallow water drill
ing from platforms supported by pylons resting on the seabed proved very success
ful. Today, large floating platforms can drill for oil at water depths of more t
han 3300 feet.
@@Police Stations
The concept of a police force operating independently of the military goes back
to the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome. In the Middle Ages, noblemen protected
their estates by appointing constables to enforce the law and to arrest and guar
d criminals, but the first modern, organized police force was the London Metropo
litan Police. Established in 1829, this organization became the model for law en
forcement organizations in the United States and many other industrialized natio
ns around the world. The presence of a police force serves to uphold the laws of
society, and to control civil unrest. A strong, visible police force strengthen
s confidence of the community by keeping the citizens safe.
@@Port Facilities
Seagoing vessels have been used for both commercial transport and military purpo
ses for thousands of years. Cities built on rivers and on the coasts of seas and
oceans built facilities to receive cargo and to house military vessels statione
d in the area. Many of the larger cities built large port facilities that includ
ed shipyards for the construction of new vessels, large warehouse and docking fa
cilities, and dry-docks for the repair of damaged vessels. Heavily damaged ships
can be repaired much more quickly when such facilities are available.
@@Research Lab
Historically, libraries and universities have acted as the primary centers of re
search for new ideas and technologies. The growth of private industry in the mod
ern age has also given birth to hundreds of privately-owned research facilities.
These private laboratories, usually dedicated to research in a single field rel
ated to their founding company, have made tremendous advances in many fields inc
luding physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine. The growth of privately-funded
research has vastly increased the speed at which mankind achieves new advances
in science and technology.
@@SAM Missile Battery
The use of airplanes in warfare began in earnest during World War I. By the end
of World War II, the use of fighter aircraft and bombers was commonplace and the
importance of air warfare continued to grow, as did the importance of effective
anti-aircraft defenses. During the 1950's, the refinement of rocket technology
allowed for the construction of compact missiles which were used to deliver expl
osive warheads to their targets swiftly and accurately. Batteries of surface-to-
air missiles, or SAMs, were built to protect cities and ground installations aga
inst airborne attacks. The long range and high accuracy of SAM batteries provide
d a much more effective defense than the anti-aircraft guns of World War II.
@@Sewer System
One of the byproducts of large urban centers is a vast amount of human waste. As
the city continues to grow, steps need to be taken to move the sewage away from
inhabited areas and "treat" it so that it does not become a health hazard to hu
mans or harm the local ecosystem. Sewer systems carry wastewater to treatment pl
ants where the raw sewage is broken down through filtration and chemical process
es to remove solids and harmful bacteria. The treated byproduct is then released
into rivers and other waterways, where it is eventually washed safely into the
ocean.
@@Solar Power Plant
One of the greatest natural sources of energy available on Earth is the sun. Sol
ar energy can be converted directly into electrical power without the need for m
echanical generators through the use of photoelectric cells. Alternatively, larg
e solar collectors known as heliostats can be used to focus solar energy into a
water boiler, generating steam to run conventional electrical turbines. Unfortun
ately, at our current level of technology, both of these systems are prohibitive
ly expensive to construct. However, because of the dwindling supply of fossil f
uels and increasing concern over the pollution produced by conventional and nucl
ear power plants, scientists are constantly working on a viable way to harness t
he clean and endless supply of energy provided by our sun.
@@Stock Exchange
In a free market economy, corporations often raise operating and development cap
ital by selling "shares" in the corporation to private investors. These shares,
which allow investors to share in the company's profits, were originally sold by
brokers and privately hired auctioneers. Early European stock exchanges, such a
s the Paris Bourse, allowed anyone to buy and sell stock. However, it was quickl
y discovered that a formalized system was necessary in order to enforce transact
ions. Thereafter, membership in the exchange was required in order to buy and se
ll. The first formal stock exchange in the U.S. was established in 1791 in Phila
delphia, and the New York Stock Exchange was established a year later. Today, st
ock exchanges are located in many major cities and commercial centers around the
world. Private investment in corporations is vital to capitalistic economies, a
llowing corporations to grow more quickly than would otherwise be possible. The
profits and new jobs created as a result improve the economy as a whole.
@@Supermarket
Supermarkets are large, self-service retail stores that sell a wide variety of f
ood items and household goods to the general public. The first true supermarket
, King Kullen, was established in 1930 in the borough of Queens, New York City,
by Michael Cullen. Improved storage techniques and refrigeration allowed superma
rkets to stock and sell perishable foods in large quantities, reducing the price
to the consumer. The combination of ready availability and low prices made the
supermarket an instant success in the U.S. during the years of the Great Depress
ion. The supermarket continues to grow in popularity in countries around the wo
rld.
@@Superhighway
Early in his career, President Eisenhower traveled by road, from coast to coast,
across the United States. This trip, which took nearly a month because of the p
oor system of roads, convinced him that it was necessary to make all areas of th
e country easily accessible. Not only were these improvements important to the g
rowing number of people traveling by automobile, they could prove invaluable for
the movement of troops and military equipment should the need arise. In 1956, E
isenhower established a federal-aid program known as the Highway Trust Fund to a
ccelerate the construction of a network of interstate roads. By 1991, the Inters
tate Highway System in the U.S. consisted of over 42,000 miles of highways. Unli
ke local roadways, superhighways were designed to bypass large population center
s, and were accessible in limited locations at planned entrance and exit interch
anges. These highly efficient roadways allow motorists today to travel from one
end of the country to the other without having to slow down for intersections an
d traffic signals.
@@Harbor
Just because a city is built in a coastal region doesn't guarantee that the city
is readily accessible by ship. In order for a port city to establish a steady t
rade, fishing, or other shipping industry, the city must have a harbor. A harbor
is a protected body of water that opens into an ocean or lake that shelters shi
ps from waves and high winds. Although some coastal cities are established in ar
eas where a natural harbor exists, most seaports are forced either to improve th
e existing natural harbor, or to build a man-made harbor to shelter ships and pr
ovide channels deep enough to accommodate large vessels.
@WONDER_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the WONDER.PDE
text file in the ;original Civilopedia. (French and German versions are .PDF an
d .PDG respectively.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry, but adjusted by NUM_IMPROVEMENTS.
; For example, Adam Smith's Trading Co. will be the 0'th (remember,
; the list is zero based)(INDEX - NUM_INPROVEMENTS) description below begining w
ith @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@WONDER_INDEX
21, ; Pyramids
9, ; Hanging Gardens
2, ; Colossus
15, ; Lighthouse
7, ; Great Library
20, ; Oracle
8, ; Great Wall
25, ; Sun Tzu's War Academy
13, ; King Richard's Crusade
18, ; Marco Polo's Embassy
19, ; Michelangelo's Chapel
3, ; Copernicus' Observatory
16, ; Magellan's Expedition
23, ; Shakespeare's Theatre
14, ; Leonardo's Workshop
12, ; J. S. Bach's Cathedral
11, ; Isaac Newton's College
0, ; Adam Smith's Trading Co.
5, ; Darwin's Voyage
24, ; Statue of Liberty
6, ; Eiffel Tower
27, ; Women's Suffrage
10, ; Hoover Dam
17, ; Manhattan Project
26, ; United Nations
1, ; Apollo Program
22, ; SETI Program
4, ; Cure for Cancer
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
@@Adam Smith's Trading Co.
Adam Smith is generally regarded as the father of modern economics. In his book
"The Wealth of Nations", he analyzed the economic processes of supply and demand
, and discussed how free trade and individual ambition would lead to both econom
ic and social growth. Smith favored a political environment where the government
would only become involved in business and trade to preserve justice and order.
Smith's ideas of economics and the lack of government involvement form the basi
s of modern economic liberalism.
@@Apollo Program
The Apollo Program was begun by the United States in the late 1960s. Following t
he success of the manned orbital missions of the Mercury and Gemini programs, th
e destination of the Apollo program was the moon. The early Apollo flights conce
ntrated on orbital observations of the moon, and testing the docking systems of
the Apollo craft. The ultimate goal of the Apollo Program was accomplished by Ap
ollo 11 on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on
the moon. Several other landings followed, the last being Apollo 17 in December,
1972. The Apollo program truly represented a "giant leap for mankind". The U.S.
manned lunar missions are unparalleled feats in space exploration, and the tech
nology originally developed for the Apollo Program was later found to be invalua
ble in designing future space vehicles and orbital platforms.
@@Colossus
The Colossus of Rhodes was a bronze statue of Helios, the Greek God of the Sun,
erected near the mouth of the city harbor. It stood over 100 feet high, about tw
o-thirds the height of the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, it was toppled by a
n earthquake only 56 years after its construction. Taking the counsel of an orac
le, the city elected to leave the statue where it lay. For over 900 years, peopl
e from all over the ancient world came to Rhodes to see the Colossus. It remaine
d where it was until 654 AD when the Muslims who plundered the city sold the sta
tue for scrap.
@@Copernicus' Observatory
Ancient astronomers originally put forth the theory that the Sun was the center
of our solar system, and that the planets revolved around it. This knowledge was
lost during the Dark Ages, but was re-introduced in the early 16th Century by N
icholas Copernicus. Copernicus' research and theories form the foundation for mo
dern astronomy. Copernicus collected his data from his observatory, a small room
in the spire of an East Prussian cathedral. His research methods and observatio
ns also marked the rebirth of the scientific method, and were an important step
in the advance of knowledge.
@@Cure for Cancer
Despite the huge outlays of cash for research and study, cancer still looms as a
terrifying and deadly plague on the human race. Although scientists and doctors
have discovered many different forms of cancer, and have identified some of the
factors that can trigger the disease, a true cure still eludes modern medical s
cience. A cure for cancer would put an end to the source of much suffering and a
nguish, and allow millions of people, who would otherwise be doomed, to lead hap
py and productive lives.
@@Darwin's Voyage
Charles Darwin, the main proponent of the theory of evolution based on natural s
election, built up much of his evidence for this theory during a five-year voyag
e around the world. His voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle was instrumental not onl
y in the establishment of his theory, but also in the application of the scienti
fic method to the study of nature. Darwin published his theory of evolution in h
is book "The Origin of the Species". His studies were so thorough that the scien
tific world never challenged his findings. However, his findings were, and conti
nue to be, challenged on philosophical and religious grounds. Darwin's research
opened many new lines of inquiry, and inspired a wave of new biological research
.
@@Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous landmarks. Built for the Univ
ersal Exposition of 1889, the tower rises 984 feet above Paris' Champ de Mars, n
ear the Seine River. Structural engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel built the towe
r at a cost of more than $1 million to demonstrate how steel and iron could be u
tilized in the construction of extremely tall buildings. The tallest building in
the world when it was originally built, the Eiffel Tower drew crowds of awestru
ck observers from around the world. Today, it remains one of Paris' leading tour
ist attractions.
@@Great Library
The Great Library of Alexandria was one of the two most important libraries of t
he ancient world. It was founded around 300 BC by Ptolemy I, and was enhanced an
d expanded by his successors. The library attempted to obtain copies of all scro
lls of any consequence, and eventually contained over 700,000 volumes. The libra
ry was destroyed by religious fanatics in 391 AD, after nearly 700 years of oper
ation. During this period, Alexandria served as the cultural center of the Helle
nistic world. Today, only part of the catalog remains, providing us with a mere
hint of what treasures the library contained.
@@Great Wall
The Great Wall of China, a huge stone structure stretching from the Yellow Sea t
o the Asian deserts, was built over a period of approximately 1,800 years. The w
all is 25 feet high and 12 feet thick, and runs nearly 1,500 miles across northe
rn China. The purpose of the Great Wall was to make it difficult for raiders to
escape with their booty, and thereby discourage invasion. Despite its overwhelmi
ng size, the wall was not intended to keep invaders out, since manning such a de
fensive structure would have been prohibitively expensive.
@@Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens were a distinctive feature of ancient Babylon. They were a g
reat source of pride to the people, and were often described in accounts written
by visitors to the city. Possibly built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in 600 BC, th
e gardens are believed to have been a remarkable feat of engineering: an ascendi
ng series of tiered gardens containing all manner of trees, shrubs, and vines. T
he gardens were said to have looked like a large green mountain constructed of m
ud bricks, rising from the center of the city.
@@Hoover Dam
For centuries, mankind has been harnessing the power of rivers to move waterwhee
ls for various purposes. With the advent of electrical power, it was found the r
ivers were also very useful for generating electricity. Hydroelectric power plan
ts derive power from rivers by constructing dams to ensure a dependable supply o
f water. The overflow is then released through special chambers where the moving
water turns giant turbines, generating electricity. When planned and engineered
properly, this system provides an excellent power source with very limited envi
ronmental impact. The Hoover Dam, constructed on the Colorado River near Las Veg
as, was one of the earliest hydroelectric power plants.
@@Isaac Newton's College
Sir Isaac Newton, a mathematician and physicist, is considered to be one of the
greatest scientists of all time. He is credited with many important discoveries
including the laws of gravity, the color spectrum of light, calculus, fluid dyna
mics, and an understanding of ocean tides. He also built the world's first refle
cting telescope. For 32 years, he held an important teaching post at Cambridge U
niversity, where he continued his own research while instructing a generation of
students.
@@J.S. Bach's Cathedral
Few composers were more prolific or beloved than Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach, th
e most well-known member of a gifted family of German musicians, was perhaps the
finest composer of the baroque style of music. In his time, he wrote numerous c
horal and orchestral pieces. During his lifetime, he was renowned as an organist
and music director of St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig, and many of his compositio
ns were religious in nature. After his death, Bach's music gained worldwide appr
eciation.
@@King Richard's Crusade
The Crusades were a series of military expeditions by European Christians betwee
n 1095 and 1270 AD intended to recapture the Christian Holy Land from Muslim con
trol. The most successful was the Third Crusade, in which a tremendous force led
by King Richard I and Philip Augustus managed to regain control over a number o
f cities along the Mediterranean coast and reconstitute the Latin Kingdom in Pal
estine. In addition to their more altruistic goals, the Crusades also served to
extend the political and religious power of the Pope over a larger area of the w
orld. This great burst of territorial expansion led to an increase in both the p
opulation and the productivity of Europe. The ongoing wars provided lucrative bu
siness for Western European traders and merchants.
@@Leonardo's Workshop
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most celebrated painters of the Italian Renaiss
ance. His most famous works include the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper". Altho
ugh best known for his art, da Vinci was also an accomplished observer and desig
ner. Preserved in his sketch books are ideas for dozens of inventions, many of t
hem centuries ahead of their time. These include designs for such devices as dra
w bridges, construction equipment, parachutes, and even helicopters. His scienti
fic and technical drawings became the basis for the development of many of these
modern devices.
@@Lighthouse
The Pharos was a marble watch tower and lighthouse built in 280 BC on an island
in the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt. Estimated to have been 300 feet high, the pr
imary function of the lighthouse was to guide approaching ships to the harbor on
an otherwise unmarked coast. Historians debate whether fires were burned on the
top of the tower, or whether mirrors were used to reflect sunlight. Since ships
rarely sailed along coasts at night, there was probably little need for the lig
hthouse after dark. The Pharos was destroyed in the 14th century, after having b
een damaged by several earthquakes.
@@Magellan's Expedition
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan sailed from Spain with the intention to reach the sp
ice-rich Malouccas Islands of Indonesia by sailing west, instead of east. Althou
gh Magellan himself was killed by natives in the Philippines, his expedition wen
t on to prove conclusively that the world was round. More importantly, it proved
that the Americas were indeed a New World. Magellan's expedition was one of the
great sea voyages of history, and it inspired further expeditions by other expl
orers. The discoveries made along the way reduced the dangers to all the sea exp
editions that followed.
@@Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was the code name for an intensive and costly research eff
ort during World War II that resulted in the development of atomic weapons. The
first two such weapons, the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945, bro
ught an end to the second World War. For a short time, the United States held a
monopoly on atomic weapons. However, by 1949 the Soviet Union had also developed
similar technology, based in part on Manhattan Project information obtained thr
ough espionage. The nuclear standoff that has resulted from this balance of powe
r may be largely responsible for the absence of major wars since World War II.
@@Marco Polo's Embassy
Marco Polo was a trader, writer, and world traveler who lived in the late 13th a
nd early 14th century. Starting as a young boy, he began traveling with his fath
er and uncle, who were merchants and traders in Venice, along a route that would
take him throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Throughout his life, he
visited many places bringing back detailed information concerning lands that no
European before him had visited. Polo's book, "The Travels of Marco Polo", was t
he only existing source of reliable information on such exotic locales as Siam,
Japan, Java, Tibet, and India that existed in medieval Europe.
@@Michelangelo's Chapel
The beauty of Rome's Sistine Chapel has long served as a testament to the mixtur
e of strong religious beliefs and the love of art shared by the people of Renais
sance Europe. Michelangelo devoted four years to painting the mural that adorns
the ceiling, a work depicting events in the book of Genesis and other Biblical s
tories. Few visitors to the Sistine Chapel have failed to be moved by the artist
's dedication to his subject, or his feeling for the nature of human struggle, s
uffering, and spiritual triumph.
@@Oracle
In ancient Greek religion, an oracle was a priest or priestess through whom the
gods spoke in response to questions. The oracle interpreted dreams, the actions
of entranced persons, and physical signs found in the entrails of sacrificed ani
mals. The most famous oracle resided in the shrine of Apollo at Delphi, located
on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. This oracle was consulted for centuries by Gre
eks, Romans, and others about public policy and private matters. A priestess cal
led the Pythia would, for a fee, make public predictions for the future. These e
cstatic pronouncements became infamous for their ambiguity.
@@Pyramids
Built by the fourth dynasty of Egyptian rulers, the Pyramids represent the pinna
cle of ancient Egyptian cultural achievement. Constructed on the Giza plateau ou
tside modern-day Cairo, these structures were burial tombs and monuments for the
Pharaohs, and may have taken generations and tens of thousands of workers to co
mplete. The Pyramids are the only one of the generally accepted man-made wonders
of the ancient world that remain in existence today.
@@SETI Program
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) was officially initiated by
the United States in the latter half of the 20th Century. The purpose of the pro
gram was to find some sort of conclusive evidence that intelligent life existed
beyond the confines of our planet. Employing banks of radio-telescopes and other
detection equipment, SETI scans the skies hoping to find proof of extraterrestr
ial life in the form of radio transmissions and other activity. Although the pro
gram has yet to find such proof, the effort has produced many useful benefits to
astronomy, telecommunications, and other high-tech fields.
@@Shakespeare's Theatre
Most of the plays of William Shakespeare were first performed on the stage of Lo
ndon's Globe Theatre during the 1600s. Theater offered people a diversion from t
heir everyday lives by allowing them to enjoy comedies, tragedies, and triumphs
acted out on stage. Similar theaters, such as the Comedie Francaise in Paris, an
d La Scala in Milan, fulfilled similar roles by offering entertainment to the ci
tizens of their cities. Although the original Globe Theatre burned down, Shakesp
eare's plays are still performed in a new theater bearing his name, and in other
theaters throughout the world.
@@Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the largest statues in the world. Measuring over
300 feet tall from the base of her pedestal, the statue was originally construc
ted of copper plating over an iron framework and weighs over 250 metric tons. De
signed by French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, the statue with her upraised torch
and the broken chains of tyranny at her feet, was presented to the United State
s by the French government in 1886 to commemorate 100 years of American independ
ence. The statue itself, Liberty Island, and nearby Ellis Island became a nation
al monument in 1924. For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has stood at
the mouth of the New York harbor. Often the first sight seen by immigrants arri
ving in America, Lady Liberty symbolizes the ideals of freedom upon which the Un
ited States was founded.
@@Sun Tzu's War Academy
One of the earliest pieces of military literature is "The Art of War", written b
y Chinese general Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC. This book contained a detailed
explanation and analysis of the Chinese military, from weapons and strategy to r
ank and discipline. Sun Tzu also stressed the importance of intelligence operati
ves and espionage to the war effort. Because Sun Tzu has long been considered to
be one of history's finest military tacticians and analysts, his teachings and
strategies formed the basis of advanced military training for centuries to come.
@@United Nations
Established following World War II, the United Nations is an international organ
ization dedicated to promoting world peace and security. The U.N. also attempts
to achieve international cooperation in solving world problems concerning the en
vironment, economics, and cultural issues. Although its peace keeping role is no
t always entirely successful, it has remained an effective forum for debate wher
e all nations can voice their concerns on matters of worldwide importance.
@@Women's Suffrage
After decades of struggle, women in the United States won the right to vote in 1
920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The achieve
ment of women's suffrage was accelerated by the excellent record of women workin
g in jobs traditionally held by men during World War I. Full voting rights were
granted to women in Great Britain in 1928. Since that time, women have gained th
e right to vote in most countries in the developed world.
@UNIT_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the UNITS.PDE
and UNITS2.PDE text ;files in the original Civilopedia, strung together to make
one contiguous section. (French and German ;versions are .PDF and .PDG respectiv
ely.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry. For example, Settlers will be the 50'th (remem
ber,
; the list is zero based) description below begining with @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@UNIT_INDEX
49, ; Settlers
21, ; Engineers
43, ; Warriors
46, ; Phalanx
2, ; Archers
33, ; Legion
47, ; Pikemen
36, ; Musketeers
23, ; Fanatics
45, ; Partisans
1, ; Alpine Troops
48, ; Riflemen
34, ; Marines
44, ; Paratroopers
35, ; Mech. Inf.
29, ; Horsemen
13, ; Chariot
20, ; Elephant
14, ; Crusaders
32, ; Knights
19, ; Dragoons
12, ; Cavalry
3, ; Armor
11, ; Catapult
7, ; Cannon
4, ; Artillery
30, ; Howitzer
24, ; Fighter
6, ; Bomber
28, ; Helicopter
39, ; Stlth Ftr.
38, ; Stlth Bmbr.
42, ; Trireme
9, ; Caravel
27, ; Galleon
26, ; Frigate
31, ; Ironclad
17, ; Destroyer
16, ; Cruiser
0, ; AEGIS Cruiser
5, ; Battleship
40, ; Submarine
10, ; Carrier
41, ; Transport
15, ; Cruise Msl.
37, ; Nuclear Msl.
18, ; Diplomat
50, ; Spy
8, ; Caravan
25, ; Freight
22, ; Explorer
-1, ; Extra Land
-1, ; Extra Ship
-1, ; Extra Air
-1, ; Test Unit 1
-1, ; Test Unit 2
-1, ; Test Unit 3
-1, ; Test Unit 4
-1, ; Test Unit 5
-1, ; Test Unit 6
-1, ; Test Unit 7
-1, ; Test Unit 8
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
@@AEGIS Cruiser
Cruisers have long served in the role of escort and defensive vessels, screening
carrier task forces and amphibious assaults from enemy ships and aircraft. In r
ecent years, the abilities of the cruiser have been upgraded significantly. In a
ddition to their traditional five-inch guns, cruisers also carry batteries of Ha
rpoon and Tomahawk missiles. The latest development in cruiser armament is the A
EGIS surface-to-air missile system, which allows cruisers to target and fire the
ir missiles more accurately and more effectively than ever before. The cruisers
of today are highly capable of intercepting and destroying enemy submarines, sur
face ships, aircraft, and missiles.
@@Alpine Troops
In the colder regions of the world, where winter months tend to leave the ground
snow covered, skiing often became one of the most reliable means of transportat
ion. In the alpine countries of Europe, it became commonplace to train special g
roups of soldiers to take advantage of the snow covered, mountainous terrain by
traveling on skis. This proved to be a huge advantage, especially if the enemy f
orces were not likewise equipped. In November 1939, for example during the Russo
-Finnish War, the Finns managed to cut off the supply and communications lines
of the vastly superior Russian army through the use of their extremely mobile sk
i troops, and the Finns continued to hold an advantage throughout the winter mon
ths. Alpine troops continue to be trained and utilized in military forces of the
present day.
@@Archers
The bow and arrow, invented in prehistoric times, greatly improved the hunting s
kills of early man, allowing him to kill his targets from a distance. The bow wa
s eventually adapted for use in battle, and was first used by Egyptian, Persian,
and Assyrian armies as early as 5000 BC. The range provided by the bow allowed
small forces of archers to rout armies of superior number who were armed with ha
nd-to-hand weapons. Archers were often used to soften enemy resistance prior to
sending in mounted and skirmishing forces. Refinements in design and constructio
n allowed the bow to remain an effective weapon until it was finally replaced by
firearms in the 1500's.
@@Armor
The rise in the use of semi-automatic and automatic firearms in the late 19th an
d early 20th century led to the demise of horse-mounted cavalry. Attackers lost
a significant advantage in both scouting and deployment as a result of the caval
ry's vulnerability. It was only with the development of tanks, armored mobile at
tack vehicles equipped with high caliber guns, that a weapon was found which cou
ld once more be used to punch a hole through enemy field forces. First appearing
in World War I, armored attack vehicles moved quickly and struck with power, wh
ile still possessing an effective defensive strength. Tanks are a powerful weapo
n against any ground unit.
@@Artillery
Artillery is a general term covering several varieties of large caliber weapons
including mortars and field guns. Mortars fire an explosive projectile in a high
arc, and are particularly effective against small, concealed targets. Field gun
s, long-range weapons that fire their projectiles in a flat arc, are used primar
ily for their ability to penetrate hard targets. Powerful enough to batter oppos
ing forces even behind the strongest fortifications, artillery is also able to m
ove quickly from one firing position to another. This is an important capability
when fighting a moving battle or when avoiding enemy fire.
@@Battleship
The battleship was once the most powerful vessel on the seas. Heavily armored an
d difficult to destroy, its massive guns could accurately fire heavy projectiles
at targets miles away. The battleship had two primary functions: clearing the s
eas of enemy ships and bombarding enemy coastal targets, usually in preparation
for an invasion. The battleship's importance began to decline in World War II wh
en the increasing use of fighters and bombers launched from aircraft carriers gr
eatly extended the range of naval conflicts. Ship-to-ship combat became less fre
quent than long-range air attacks against enemy battle groups. The last of the U
.S. Navy's battleships was decommissioned shortly after the Vietnam War, but the
four battleships of the Iowa class were remodeled and recommissioned in the 198
0's.
@@Bomber
The bombing of strategic targets from the air dates back to the beginning of Wor
ld War I, when the Germans used zeppelins to bomb Paris and London. Because zepp
elins proved to be extremely vulnerable, they were withdrawn from war in favor o
f airplanes. By the end of World War I, planes were being designed specifically
as bombers. The bomber's job is to carry bombs into enemy territory, normally be
yond the range of artillery, and destroy targets of military and economic value.
Bombers were often designed for specific missions, such as attacking ships, bom
bing vehicles and railroads, daylight precision bombing, and carpet bombing.
@@Cannon
Closely following the invention of gunpowder, the development of the cannon caus
ed a revolution in siege warfare. Invented by a German monk in the 14th century,
early cannons used gunpowder charges to fire rocks or metal balls. The cannon f
orced a redesign of most fortifications because the straight, high walls surroun
ding most cities could be easily destroyed by direct fire. This was the fate of
the walls of Constantinople, which had held against countless sieges for over a
thousand years. The cannon quickly assumed an important role on the battlefield.
@@Caravan
Trade has been a major source of income to civilizations throughout history. Jou
rneying to distant lands, caravans exchanged their loads of goods for money or o
ther items of value. In addition, the traders who accompanied the caravans often
brought back new knowledge about the advances made by the civilizations with wh
om they did business. Marco Polo, for example, went with traders to China. He re
mained there for many years, and brought back much valuable information to the W
est.
@@Caravel
The caravel was a small sailing ship with three or four masts, a broad bow, and
a high, narrow stern.. Though often used as a warship, the caravel could also ca
rry just over 100 metric tons of cargo. Caravels were commonly used by the Spani
sh and the Portuguese for both commerce and exploration. Christopher Columbus' t
hree ships, the "Nina", "Pinta", and "Santa Maria", were all caravels.
@@Carrier
The aircraft carrier first came into widespread use during World War II. Carrier
s act as floating airfields, carrying fighters and bombers far from friendly ter
ritory to be launched against enemy targets. This allows an air strike against t
argets on both land and sea that would otherwise be far out of range. Carriers a
lso have the capability to launch nuclear weapons. The range of the aircraft lau
nched from carriers forever changed the methodology of naval battles. Opposing f
leets could now engage in battle without either fleet ever entering the other's
visual range, ending the dominance of the battleship as the strongest vessel on
the sea.
@@Catapult
The catapult was one of the earliest forms of artillery. It was a large mechanic
al arm that propelled heavy stones and other missiles from a great distance, bat
tering down walls and inflicting damage on buildings and defenders. Though cumbe
rsome and nearly useless on the battlefield, the catapult was an effective weapo
n for attacking cities and fortified enemies.
@@Cavalry
Cavalry are mounted soldiers trained to fight on horseback. Because of their spe
ed, cavalry units were often used for reconnaissance missions and hit-and-run ra
ids on enemy installations and troops. Although warriors fighting from horseback
with a variety of weapons dates back to ancient Egypt, horse-mounted cavalry as
we generally think of it today actually began in the late 1700's. Under Napoleo
n, the cavalry became an elite force, frequently deployed simultaneously with fo
ot soldiers, to mask the movements of the main battle force. Cavalry were used e
xtensively in the American Civil War, and in other conflicts throughout the mid
to late 19th century. When the repeating rifle replaced earlier single-shot fire
arms, horse-mounted troops became easy targets for infantrymen. The South Africa
n War, from 1899 to 1902, was the last major conflict where cavalry played a maj
or role. Today, the roles once performed by horse-mounted cavalry have been assu
med by troops utilizing armored assault vehicles and aircraft.
@@Chariot
The chariot was the first true fighting vehicle. It was used by ancient armies t
o transport archers and other troops to the battlefield, where they would disemb
ark and fight. The chariot was turned into a fearsome offensive weapon by the As
syrians, whose archers and spearmen fought from inside the chariot itself. Few e
nemies were able to withstand an onslaught of Assyrian chariots. This devastatin
g form of attack was soon adopted by many of the Assyrian's enemies, who used th
e chariot against them with good effect.
@@Crusaders
Between 1095 and 1270, European Christians waged a series of wars known as the C
rusades. These holy wars, sanctioned by the Pope, were fought to free the Christ
ian Holy Lands from Muslim control. The crusaders themselves were a mixed lot, w
ith many different backgrounds and reasons for fighting. However, most of them j
oined the ranks out of religious fervor, and a feeling that their personal salva
tion was guaranteed when fighting for such a holy cause. Despite the fact that t
he crusaders fought with all the strength of their religious conviction, the Cru
sades accomplished very little in a military sense; however, the European econom
y and desire for exploration was greatly increased.
@@Cruise Missile
One of the most effective weapons in modern military arsenals is the cruise miss
ile. Cruise missiles such as the AGM-86 and the Tomahawk can be launched against
a strategic target hundreds of miles away, traveling low to avoid radar and oth
er means of detection, and hitting its target with unnerving accuracy. They can
also be used against short-range, tactical targets such as ships. In this role,
it is often possible for a single, $1 million missile to seriously damage or ev
en destroy $80 million warships. These versatile weapons can be launched from ai
r, sea, or land with equal effectiveness.
@@Cruiser
The cruiser is the modern equivalent of the frigate. Although much more powerful
than its sailing forebearer, it is designed for the same type of mission: to ac
t as a sea raider and escort. Cruisers can conduct shore bombardments, though th
eir firepower cannot match the destructive force of the battleship. The cruiser'
s defensive capabilities are also inferior to those of the battleship. These sho
rtcomings are balanced by the cruiser's lower cost and higher speed. Cruisers se
rve an important role in scouting missions, convoy escorts, and the attack of tr
ansport vessels.
@@Destroyer
Destroyers are small escort ships that serve a variety of useful functions. Thes
e light, fast vessels were used extensively in World War II to provide air and s
ea cover for carrier groups. One of the primary functions of the destroyer is to
locate and destroy enemy submarines. Using their sonar equipment to locate the
subs, and their batteries of depth charges and torpedoes to destroy them, the de
stroyer forces of World War II were the key to the success of many crucial naval
operations. Modern destroyers are still used in much the same role, as escorts
for larger vessels and as submarine hunters. In addition to five-inch guns, the
arsenal of today's destroyer includes antisubmarine helicopters, anti-ship cruis
e missiles, and the Phalanx system for defense against anti-ship missiles.
@@Diplomat
Diplomats serve their homeland in a variety of ways. Their primary function is t
o maintain contact with other civilizations, and report on any developments of i
nterest. Diplomats are also capable of engaging in less reputable activities, in
cluding sabotage of enemy production; the theft of civilization advances; and th
e subversion of enemy troops and cities. Although they have no combat value, dip
lomats are nevertheless potent weapons if utilized properly.
@@Dragoons
Dragoons were mounted soldiers armed with short muskets who fought, both on hors
eback and on foot, during the time of the American Revolution. The name comes fr
om the French word for "dragon", and refers to the "fire breathing weapons" used
by these troops. British general John Burgoyne utilized a force of Hessian drag
oons to attack an American supply base in the Battle of Bennington in 1777. Desp
ite their large numbers, the dragoon mercenaries were severely routed by several
detachments from the New Hampshire militia.
@@Elephant
The elephant is the largest living land mammal, reaching a size of 10 to 13 feet
in height depending on the species. Descended from the ancient mammoths and mas
todons, elephants can be trained to serve humans in many fields of endeavor. One
such use of elephants in ancient times was as beasts of war. Elephants were use
d in battle against Alexander the Great in 326 BC, and they were used both as pa
ck animals and in battle by Hannibal of Carthage in his famous alpine crossing i
n 218 BC. Although generally impractical as mounts due to their slow speed, the
mere mental impact of seeing such massive beasts included in the advancing enemy
ranks could provide an attacker with the element of surprise.
@@Engineers
As technology progressed through the centuries, people began to specialize in a
single skill or field of knowledge. The early pioneers who acted in the multiple
roles of farmers, builders, and just about any other occupation required by the
ir situation, were replaced by engineers specifically trained in a single discip
line. Specialized training provided engineers the time and the skill necessary t
o accomplish feats of construction and environmental manipulation never before e
xperienced in history.
@@Explorer
Since the dawn of history, there has been a need for humans to investigate their
surroundings and expand their knowledge of the world around them. Even the earl
iest civilizations sent people in search of wealth and resources in distant land
s. With the advent of extensive sea travel, explorers such as Christopher Columb
us and Amerigo Vespucci mapped and charted territories far from their homelands.
These early explorers opened the New World to trade and colonization.
@@Fanatics
Certain circumstances, such as strong religious beliefs or a totalitarian system
of government, can "inspire" citizens or factions to nationalism that approache
s maniacal fervor. Fanatical groups can often succeed in seemingly hopeless situ
ations, fighting and defeating superior enemy forces. Often, fanatics pursue mil
itary and terrorist activity for years, even decades, before they can be caught
or stopped. Their strength for both attack and defense comes from their willingn
ess to fight for the ideals they believe in, and, if necessary, sacrifice their
lives in the name of their cause.
@@Fighter
The earliest military aircraft were used primarily in a reconnaissance role. In
1915, during World War I, aircraft designer Anthony Fokker developed a gear syst
em that allowed a plane-mounted machine gun to fire through the propeller, givin
g birth to the first fighter aircraft. The fighter's mission was to shoot down e
nemy reconnaissance and fighter planes. Later, as the use of bombers became more
widespread, fighters were called upon to act as interceptors against enemy bomb
ing runs and escorts for friendly bombers. The best way to ensure the safe passa
ge of friendly bombers to their selected targets is the destruction of enemy fig
hters.
@@Freight
Freight units are the modern day equivalent of the trade caravans in the ancient
world. Whereas in early history raw materials, trade goods, food, and manufactu
red items were transported by camel or wagon, modern shipments are transported b
y a variety of methods including trucks and railroads. The speed and convenience
of modern transportation methods allows civilizations to set up supply routes a
nd move large quantities of merchandise and trade goods farther and faster than
ever.
@@Frigate
The frigate was a fast and powerful sailing warship that evolved to fill several
important naval roles, primarily to raid enemy shipping. These three masted shi
ps were lighter and faster than the European great ship or man-of-war, and usual
ly carried 36 or fewer guns. The frigate was powerful enough to overcome most of
its prospective opponents and fast enough to escape those it could not outgun.
Because of their speed and strength, frigates were often employed as escorts for
merchant vessels during times of war. The frigate remained the most useful and
dominant naval vessel until the development of the ironclad.
@@Galleon
By the late 15th century, oar-powered vessels had all but disappeared from the w
orld's oceans, to be replaced by sailing vessels of various types. The galleon w
as one such vessel. Galleons were three- or four-masted ships, built high in bot
h the forecastle and the stern. Developed in the 15th and 16th century, these ve
rsatile ships were mainly used as cargo vessels, although they were sometimes ou
tfitted as light warships as well. Ships of this type served European nations we
ll into the 1700s.
@@Helicopter
The concept that was to become the modern helicopter was first explored by artis
t/engineer Leonardo da Vinci. He made sketches of a rotor-driven aircraft in the
early 16th century. It was not until 1939, however, that the first practical he
licopter design was developed. Helicopters have a distinct advantage over fixed-
wing aircraft in that they can take off and land vertically. This makes it possi
ble for helicopters to operate in many places that would be too small to accommo
date a runway. Today, helicopters are used in civilian roles as rescue vehicles
and by law enforcement agencies. All branches of the military utilize many diffe
rent types of helicopters, from giant cargo and troop carriers to fast and maneu
verable gunships used as air support for ground troop operations.
@@Horsemen
The necessity for speed and mobility in times of war was recognized even in anci
ent times. The infantrymen of some ancient armies would ride horses to get from
one engagement to another, dismounting to fight when they reached the battlefiel
d. Because of their speed, horsemen could also be used as scouts to pinpoint ene
my positions. In the second century BC, the Chinese invention of the stirrup all
owed this concept of mobility to go one step further. Stirrups provided the stab
ility and leverage necessary to allow soldiers to fight from horseback, leading
to the earliest examples of cavalry units. Continuous developments in arms and
armor eventually led to knights, dragoons, and finally the advanced cavalry of t
he 18th and 19th century.
@@Howitzer
The howitzer is a specialized piece of artillery. As originally designed, the ho
witzer was a cross between the short-ranged mortar and the long-ranged field gun
. When fired in a high arc, the howitzer shell was able to achieve the mortar's
effectiveness against small, concealed targets. When fired in a flat trajectory,
the shell had more range than the mortar and the penetration power of the field
gun. Howitzers were easier to transport than other types of heavy artillery due
to their smaller size, and could be mounted on wheels and towed by a truck. Mod
ern light howitzers fire a variety of specialized ammunition, and their accuracy
now makes them more efficient and lethal than older heavy howitzers and field g
uns.
@@Ironclad
Ironclads were the forerunners of future generations of armored naval vessels. I
nstead of the simple wooden hulls found on the other ships at the time, ironclad
s were covered with strong metal plating. This plating made them nearly impervio
us to large-caliber explosive shells that would easily penetrate and destroy woo
den vessels. Ironclads made their first appearance during the American Civil War
, and quickly gained dominance over other ships of that era. Perhaps the most fa
mous naval battle of the Civil War was the battle between the Confederate ironcl
ad "Merrimack", and the Union ironclad "Monitor", which lasted for several hours
before the "Merrimack" was forced to withdraw.
@@Knights
Knights were heavily armored, mounted men-at-arms in medieval Europe. Like the s
amurai of ancient Japan, knights followed a strict code that covered their behav
ior both in battle and in their personal pursuits. Fighting astride powerful hor
ses, armored knights had a distinct advantage over enemies on foot and remained
the dominant force on the battlefield when battles were primarily fought hand-to
-hand. Occasionally, brilliant tactics allowed knights to be outmaneuvered, but
it wasn't until the development of gunpowder that knights were rendered obsolete
.
@@Legion
The Roman Legions, created during the early wars of the Republic and tested duri
ng the three Punic Wars against Carthage, were the fighting force that conquered
and held the Roman Empire for five centuries. Each legion was composed of 6000
men, divided into 60 smaller groups known as centuries. Nearly unstoppable on th
e attack, the legion was relatively weak on defense. The legion's demise as a mi
litary unit was accelerated by the destruction of Emperor Valens' army by gothic
knights in the 4th Century.
@@Marines
The Marines are a branch of the military service that operates separately, but i
s under the ultimate control of the secretary of the navy. The Marine Corps is a
combined branch of the military; their training prepares them to carry out inte
grated land, sea, and air operations. The first marines were commissioned during
the American Revolution, only to be inactivated after the war. The Marine Corps
was then permanently reestablished by Congress in July, 1798. Legendary for the
ir toughness, rigid codes of behavior, and adaptability, they have played an imp
ortant role in almost every major war and conflict of the 19th and 20th centurie
s.
@@Mechanized Infantry
The introduction of armored tanks meant that armies could quickly break through
enemy defensive positions and move aggressively forward on the battlefield. Such
a quick advance, however, left the ground won in the advance largely undefended
. Mechanized infantry, which was first used during World War II, was designed to
be able to move in quickly and defend the area behind the tanks. Infantry were
mounted in armored vehicles, such as half-tracks and Armored Personnel Carriers
(APCs), to carry them quickly and safely along with the rapidly advancing armore
d divisions.
@@Musketeers
One of the most important developments in the history of warfare was the inventi
on of firearms. Originally developed in the 14th century, firearms evolved quick
ly, and by the late 17th century flintlock muskets had become commonplace in bat
tle. Musketeers, who were relatively inexpensive to equip and train, proved a de
adly foe for the knights who had dominated the battlefield for so many years. Ar
mies were often comprised of a combination of musketeers, cannon, and knights, e
ach complementing the strengths and weaknesses of one another. Large forces of m
usketeers within a fortress or behind city walls proved an exceedingly difficult
obstacle to an attacking army. Muskets were the primary firearm in use until th
ey were replaced by repeating rifles in the mid-19th century.
@@Nuclear Missile
The deployment of atomic bombs at Nagasaki and Hiroshima at the end of World War
II changed the world's standards for measuring military power. Nuclear weapons
can eradicate ground forces and armored divisions, and flatten cities with their
awesome explosive power. In the years following World War II, arsenals of nucle
ar weapons were built up rapidly by opposing nations, each fearing the capabilit
ies of the other. This massive arms build up has acted as a deterrent to full-sc
ale war, since all the governments involved are aware of the consequences should
such a war take place. The threat imposed by the huge nuclear arsenals of the w
orld powers may one day be eradicated by the development of the Strategic Defens
e Initiative, or SDI, a system designed to destroy enemy missiles in flight befo
re they can reach their targets.
@@Stealth Bomber
Concurrent with the development of a stealth fighter, aeronautical engineers beg
an to apply stealth technology to a full-scale bomber. The B-1B bomber, which we
nt into service in 1986 as a replacement for the B-52, incorporated some of thes
e innovations. The radar signature of the B-1B was reduced to a mere 1 percent t
hat of the B-52 due to its low cross-section and its minimal use of radar-reflec
tive, hard-edged surfaces. Soon after the B-1B entered service, the U.S. Air For
ce commissioned Northrop to develop a true stealth bomber as an eventual replace
ment. First revealed to the public in 1988, the B-2 stealth bomber uses a flying
wing design similar in shape to the F-117A stealth fighter. The flying wing des
ign reduces the profile of the B-2 by incorporating its engines into the body of
the plane. The engine exhausts and intakes are shielded to prevent infrared tra
cking. The B-2 also makes use of curved surfaces and radar-absorbing materials t
o enhance its "invisibility", and make it far less detectable than the B-1B. As
of the late 1980s, it was announced that 132 B-2's would be constructed, and wou
ld enter service sometime in the 1990s.
@@Stealth Fighter
Starting in the Second World War, radar technology came into widespread use both
for detection and targeting of aircraft. Because of this, aeronautical engineer
s began searching for ways to make aircraft less "visible" to electronic trackin
g and weapon systems. The earliest stealth technologies consisted of coating air
craft with materials that would absorb rather than deflect a radar signal. In th
e late 1970s, designs incorporating this technology, as well as a unique fuselag
e shape designed to deflect radar away from its source, were prototyped. The fir
st true stealth fighter, the Lockheed F-117A, flew for the first time on June 18
, 1981. This fighter, incorporating the latest anti-radar and anti-thermal innov
ations, is capable of entering enemy territory, delivering its payload, and retu
rning to base with little chance of detection. These unique, black aircraft serv
ed well in the Persian Gulf War in 1991, and have served as the basis for furthe
r development of stealth aircraft technology.
@@Submarine
A submarine is a submersible warship, designed to attack enemy vessels while rem
aining hidden underwater. Although defensively weak, submarines are feared becau
se of their ability to make a stealthy approach and attack without warning. Ofte
n, the presence of a submarine is not detected until the first of the sub's torp
edoes strikes its target. Submarine warfare was first used extensively by the Ge
rmans during World War I. Developments after the war, such as sonar, made the su
bmarine even more effective. During World War II, submarines were used extensive
ly by all the world's naval powers. Today's submarines, in addition to their rol
e as fast attack vessels, also carry nuclear weapons that can be fired from unde
rwater positions just off the coast of an enemy country.
@@Transport
The troop transport ship, which in peacetime serves as a cargo or passenger vess
el, is the principle means used by modern powers to move large quantities of mil
itary equipment and personnel over long distances. Because transports lack offen
sive weaponry, they require armed vessels as escorts during times of war. A prop
erly escorted transport can move large military forces to a new area quickly to
act as reinforcements or as an attacking force.
@@Trireme
The trireme was the first ship designed for war. Introduced by the Greeks, trire
mes were powered by three banks of oars on each side, manned by well-trained oar
smen. These oarsmen were highly paid professionals or patriotic citizens, not sl
aves and prisoners as depicted in fiction. A huge, bronze "beak" mounted at the
bow of the ship was used to ram and sink enemy ships. Because of its long, narro
w hull, the trireme was very unstable in all but the calmest waters, and as a co
nsequence its crew rarely ventured out of sight of land for long periods of time
, lest the ship be caught in a storm and sunk.
@@Warriors
The earliest military forces were simply the citizens of the city, armed with wh
atever implements they could use as weapons. Although a militia made up of warri
ors was inexpensive, they were no match for organized armies. Warriors were usua
lly used as a stopgap measure while waiting for superior units to be trained, or
to defend a city that has been temporarily cut off from military support. In a
crisis situation, an assembly of warriors is a better choice than no defense at
all.
@@Paratroopers
Although the idea of the parachute was suggested in the 16th century drawings of
Leonardo da Vinci, the first parachute was not invented until the late 1700's.
For years, parachutes were standard emergency equipment for balloonists. Claire
Chennault, an American pioneer of aviation pursuit tactics during World War I, w
as the first to suggest using parachutes to drop troops behind enemy lines. This
idea was widely used. Paratroopers were flown behind enemy lines in transport p
lanes and dropped from low altitude, allowing them to attack the enemy from behi
nd. Today, paratroopers are usually highly-trained special forces personnel, tra
ined to covertly infiltrate enemy territory.
@@Partisans
Partisans are militant groups who pledge their support to a leader or a system o
f government. Partisans differ from fanatics in their methods. Whereas fanatics
are usually radicals prone to use terrorist tactics, partisans are usually train
ed soldiers who practice the more organized tactics of guerrilla warfare. Partis
an groups have existed at various times throughout history. Partisans were parti
cularly active in the Nazi occupied countries of Europe during World War II, whe
re their acts of sabotage against their conquerors often kept German troops busy
quelling partisan uprisings while they should have been fighting on the front l
ines. Because of their unflagging dedication to their cause, partisans make form
idable opponents.
@@Phalanx
The phalanx was a military formation developed in Greece, and perfected in Maced
onia. It consisted of a large group of soldiers in ranks and files, usually from
8 to 32 men deep, armed with spears, swords, and large shields. The first five
ranks of men pointed their weapons forward, forming a bristling barrier of spear
points, while the others kept their spears upright to deflect incoming missiles.
An enemy had difficulty approaching this formation. The attacking army was face
d with a densely packed body of warriors, who were often advancing on the run.
This usually caused the attackers to give ground rather than risk being impaled.
Unfortunately, the phalanx lacked maneuverability, and became less prevalent wh
en enemy forces became more professional and learned to outflank the formation.
@@Pikemen
The growing deployment of knights on the battlefield demanded that foot soldiers
develop new means of fighting that would lessen their vulnerability against mou
nted opponents. One of the best ways to do this was to lengthen the reach of the
infantrymen by arming them with long, sturdy spears known as pikes. Massed infa
ntry armed with pikes, in conjunction with archers, managed to even the battlefi
eld odds. Armies equipped in this manner managed to hold their own until the inv
ention of gunpowder made knights a thing of the past.
@@Riflemen
Two developments in the 19th century made early firearms such as the musket obso
lete. The first was the use of a spiral groove, or "rifling", inside the barrel
of a gun. Second, was the development of the repeating rifle, which could fire m
ultiple shots before it required reloading. The rifle was a better weapon than i
ts ancestors, with much more accuracy over a greater range than the musket. Rifl
emen were first employed in large numbers during the American Civil War. The rif
le gave a strong defensive advantage, since riflemen could fire several times wh
ile the attackers advanced. This was normally enough to hold any position. Rifle
men held the advantage on the battlefield until the appearance of armored attack
vehicles.
@@Settlers
When cities grew to a size where the resources were insufficient to adequately i
nsure a decent standard of living for the populace, adventurous groups of citize
ns set out on their own in search of a place to build a new city. Once a suitabl
e site was found, the settlers would build their new homes, and develop the land
surrounding the city. Eventually, the whole process repeated, and the new city
would send out settlers of its own. This process allowed civilizations to grow t
hroughout history, from the empires of the ancient world to the discovery and se
ttlement of the New World.
@@Spy
One of the most effective ways to compile information about an enemy (or potenti
al enemy) is by infiltrating the enemy's ranks. This is the job of the spy. Spie
s can bring back all sorts of information concerning the size and strength of an
enemy army. They can also find dissidents within the enemy's forces and influen
ce them to defect. In times of crisis, spies can also be used to steal technolog
y and to sabotage the enemy in various ways. Counterintelligence operatives can
feed false information to enemy spies, protecting important domestic secrets and
preventing attempts at subversion. Nearly every society has very strict laws co
ncerning espionage, and the penalty for being caught is often death. However, th
e benefits that can be gained through espionage are generally felt to outweigh t
he risks.
@TERRAIN_AND_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the TERRAIN.PD
E text file in the ;original Civilopedia. (French and German versions are .PDF a
nd .PDG respectively.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry. For example, Settlers will be the 50'th (remem
ber,
; the list is zero based) description below begining with @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@TERRAIN_INDEX
0, ; Desert
8, ; Plains
3, ; Grassland
1, ; Forest
4, ; Hills
6, ; Mountains
11, ; Tundra
2, ; Glacier
10, ; Swamp
5, ; Jungle
7, ; Ocean
24, ; Oasis
12, ; Buffalo
3, ; Grassland
18, ; Pheasant
13, ; Coal
21, ; Gold
18, ; Game
23, ; Ivory
26, ; Peat
20, ; Gems
14, ; Fish
25, ; Desert Oil
30, ; Wheat
3, ; Grassland
27, ; Silk
31, ; Wine
22, ; Iron
16, ; Furs
25, ; Glacier Oil
28, ; Spice
15, ; Fruit
29, ; Whales
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
;Terrain Types
@@Desert
Deserts are arid stretches of land characterized by an annual rainfall of less t
han ten inches. Adding to the dry environment is the fact that, because the dese
rt atmosphere has such low humidity, evaporation of moisture from the ground exc
eeds precipitation. Many deserts are characterized by extremely high daytime tem
peratures and equally low night time temperatures. Only the hardiest plants and
animals can survive in the harsh desert environment. Despite the perception that
deserts are composed of useless sand, most desert soil is naturally fertile bec
ause little water moves through the desert to carry away nutrients. Through the
use of artificial irrigation, humans have managed to grow crops in desert enviro
nments. If this is not done carefully, it can lead to irreversible environmental
damage when the meager water supply that is tapped for the irrigation process i
s depleted.
@@Forest
Extensive areas of land covered by a thick growth of trees and related ground ve
getation are classified as forests. There are several different types of forest,
determined primarily by climate and the type of vegetation they contain. Forest
s of some type exist on nearly every continent in the world. Forests are a valua
ble source of natural resources, providing wood for paper products, building, an
d other purposes. The harvesting of trees must be done carefully, however. If no
t done in moderation, lumbering can destroy the natural habitat for indigenous a
nimal species, and destroy the ecology of the land. Government regulations limit
ing the amount of trees that can be cut, and requiring the lumber industry to pl
ant new trees to replace what they have harvested, help to prevent major ecologi
cal damage as a result of deforestation.
@@Glacier
Glaciers are large masses of ice and snow found in mountain regions, and near th
e north and south poles of the planet, where the rate at which snow and ice melt
is less than the rate of snowfall. There are several varieties of glaciers: alp
ine and piedmont glaciers, which are formed in the valleys of high mountain regi
ons; and ice cap and continental glaciers that may cover large portions of a con
tinent. All glaciers are similar in composition, consisting of upper layers of s
ofter snow and ice crystals, and lower layers of highly compressed, solid ice. A
lthough some glaciers are stationary, some may move anywhere from a few feet to
more than 100 feet each day, carving and reshaping the land as they go. Glacial
regions are inhospitable, containing little animal life, no plant life, and virt
ually no resources of any kind.
@@Grassland
The areas of land between desert regions and forests in temperate and tropical c
limates usually consist of grasslands. These fertile regions, covered with vario
us types of vegetation, once occupied large areas of North and South America, Af
rica, and Eurasia. These areas are characterized by marked wet and dry seasons,
with annual periods of drought. Although many grasslands are naturally occurring
, grasslands can also be created through deforestation of woodland areas. Grassl
ands are often cultivated and used as pastures and grazing lands. Because of the
relatively low rainfall in these regions, the topsoil is high in nutrients. Gra
sslands are, therefore, well suited for growing crops, especially grain crops.
@@Hills
Rolling areas of the countryside, often found between plains and more mountainou
s regions are known as hills, or foothills. These areas, often covered with rich
soil and grasses or heavily forested, are rich in resources. Coal, iron, lead,
copper, and even gold and silver may be found in these regions, making them prof
itable areas for the mining industry. In areas where the below-ground resources
are scarce, hill areas are often cultivated for agricultural purposes. Certain c
rops such as coffee and grapes thrive in these regions, given the proper climate
.
@@Jungle
In heavily forested areas where rainfall is high, the growth of both trees and o
ther indigenous plants is profuse. The dense, tangled environment of the jungle
is home to wide varieties of plant and animal life. Although mineral deposits an
d fruit-bearing plants can sometimes be found in these regions, jungles tend to
lack both mineral and food resources. This, combined with the sheer density of t
he native plant life, makes jungles inhospitable to humans. In order to make the
se areas more useful, jungles are often destroyed through forestation and burnin
g to yield areas of grassland. While this improves the usefulness of the land fo
r humans, it destroys the habitat of the indigenous animals of the region. It is
estimated that hundreds of undiscovered species of insect and animal life are m
ade extinct every day as a result of the destruction of jungles and rain forests
.
@@Mountains
Mountains are areas of high elevation, usually consisting of a chain of rugged p
eaks and valleys. Most mountains are formed when the plates making up the Earth'
s crust impact or slide against one another, raising layers of rock above the su
rrounding land. Mountains can also be formed by volcanic action, or through the
effects of erosion. Although generally poor agricultural regions, mountains are
often a source of great mineral wealth, with large deposits of gold and other va
luable ores. Aside from their economic value, mountains provide a natural defens
ive barrier, shielding human settlements from invaders. Extensive mountain range
s can also greatly affect the weather patterns of a region by blocking and diver
ting wind and storms.
@@Ocean
The oceans and seas of the world cover almost three-quarters of our planet. They
are home to millions of life forms ranging from microscopic plankton to whales,
the largest mammals in the world. The animals and plants that inhabit the sea p
rovide an excellent source of food. For centuries, coastal and island cultures h
ave thrived on the resources and easy access to trade provided by the sea. Unfor
tunately, in many parts of the world, a combination of over-harvesting of marine
animals and increased pollution have begun to threaten fragile coastal ecologie
s. Some species of marine life are seriously threatened. For example, the whalin
g industry, which thrived in the 19th and early 20th century, is responsible for
hunting certain species of whales to near-extinction. Government regulations co
ncerning the dumping of pollutants and the indiscriminate harvesting of marine l
ife are constantly being updated in response to these growing problems.
@@Plains
Plains are vast, open tracts of land, usually with very few trees and covered wi
th vegetation such as sage brush and various grasses. Plains are similar to gras
slands, except that the topsoil is often not as well suited for growing food. Of
ten, rich deposits of minerals are also found in plains regions. The indigenous
plants of the plains makes them well suited for grazing. Large herds of buffalo
and other animals can often be found roaming the area. With the proper irrigatio
n, plains can be easily cultivated into adequate farmland for the production of
grains and the raising of livestock.
@@River
Fed by natural springs, snow melt, and small tributary streams, rivers flow from
mountains and other upland sources into larger rivers, lakes, and oceans. River
s can be found in almost any terrain, from lush jungles and forests to arid dese
rt regions. Since the dawn of civilization, towns and cities have grown up aroun
d rivers because the land in river valleys is usually very fertile, and well-sui
ted for farming. In addition, the river provided easy and quick access between t
owns by boat for trade and travel. Water could be channeled from rivers via aque
ducts to cities some distance from the river for the purposes of irrigation. Riv
ers are also good sources of mineral resources, and can provide power to run mac
hinery and generate electricity.
@@Swamp
Swamps are wetlands which are largely uninhabitable by humans. These areas are u
sually flooded with water, ranging in depth from a few inches to several feet, d
ue to heavy rainfall and overflow from nearby lakes and rivers. Although inhospi
table for human life, swamps are teeming with both animal and plant life. Certai
n spices and useful substances such as peat, which is used as a fertilizer, can
be found in abundance in certain swamp areas. Swampland is often drained, and co
nverted into grassland and plains in order to make it more useful for resource a
nd food production. However, environmental groups have been successful in slowin
g the destruction of wetlands, and setting up sanctuaries for the wildlife that
inhabits these regions.
@@Tundra
In the far-northern regions of the world, and in isolated regions in the Antarct
ic, there are thousands of miles of barren plains known as tundra. These regions
have an extremely low average temperature, and a very short summer season. The
primary characteristic of the tundra is a layer of permanently frozen soil known
as permafrost just below the topsoil layer, which prevents many plants from tak
ing root and making agriculture all but impossible. Like deserts, the tundra rec
eives little precipitation; however, the flat, frozen ground keeps groundwater f
rom draining, forming bogs where various grasses, moss, and other simple vegetat
ion can grow. Despite the harsh environment, a wide variety of animal life flour
ishes in the tundra, providing possible sources of food, and providing trade pot
ential for the fur and trapping industry.
;Special Resources
@@Buffalo
The plains areas of the world are inhabited by roaming herds of many different v
arieties of animals. These herd animals have been hunted, both for sport and for
food and pelts, throughout history. Some of these animals can even be domestica
ted and used for farming and other purposes. One of the most widespread herd ani
mals is the buffalo, various species of which are found throughout the world. Bi
son, commonly referred to as buffalo, were once the most dominant species of the
North American plains. Bison were a valuable resource to native American tribes
, who hunted the animals as a source of food and pelts. When European settlers b
egan to expand to the west, the bison was hunted to the brink of extinction by t
hrill-seekers and sports hunters.
@@Coal
More than 300 million years ago, plant life growing in swamps began to decompose
. Layers of sand and mud covered the decomposing plants, and the decaying plants
were compressed by the combined weight of water and sediment. Over time, the pl
ant matter hardened and became coal. Coal deposits are mined all over the world,
and coal was one of the major fuel sources in the world through the 1970's. In
many countries, concern over the environmental effects of the burning of coal ha
s led to a decline in its use. The smoke produced by burning coal has a high aci
d content, and creates an environmental condition known as "acid rain", which is
harmful to plant and animal life. Despite the environmental concerns, some of t
he largest coal mines in the U.S. each still produce more than 450,000 metric to
ns annually, making coal mining a very profitable industry.
@@Fish
Prevailing winds, ocean currents, and deep water trenches can often combine to p
roduce conditions that are optimum for fishing. In areas such as the Pacific coa
st of Central and South America, offshore winds push the warm surface waters out
to deeper waters. Underwater currents push cold, nutrient-rich water from deep
below the surface back toward the coast. The high concentration of nutrients in
this colder water, caused by decomposition of organic matter at extreme depths,
creates an ideal environment for fish and other sea life. Civilizations with acc
ess to areas such as this can significantly increase their food supply by establ
ishing a thriving fishing industry.
@@Fruit
The tropical environments that are so conducive to the growth of jungles also pr
ovide the perfect environment for growing certain fruits. Bananas, for example,
originally native to the jungles of Southeast Asia, are an excellent, naturally
occurring food crop. Many such fruits, including the banana, can be transplanted
and grown in similar climates all over the world.
@@Furs
Throughout history, animal furs have been valuable commodities for trade and sal
e. Many different types of animals including minks, rabbits, and beavers have be
en captured by trappers for the purpose of obtaining their pelts for use in the
making of clothing and other items. The exploration and colonization of the New
World caused the fur industry to boom by making a variety of furs readily availa
ble. By the late 1800's, farms were set up specifically to raise animals for the
fur industry. Starting in the 1970's, environmentalists and animal rights group
s have lobbied to change public opinion concerning the harvesting and sale of fu
rs. Despite these vocal groups, the fur industry remains profitable, if not as w
ide spread, in the world today.
@@Game (Forest)
@@Pheasant
Since ancient times, hunting of game animals has been important both for surviva
l and for sport. Forested areas containing a large concentration of deer, elk, a
nd smaller game were very valuable as a source of food for nearby settlements an
d cities. Though the widespread practice of farming domestic animals for food pu
rposes has made hunting for sport much more common than hunting for food, certai
n animals such as geese, ducks, and deer are still frequently hunted and killed
for food.
@@Musk Ox
Settlements in the sparse tundra regions of the arctic cannot raise crops and do
mestic animals for food due to the harsh conditions. They are, therefore, much m
ore dependent on the hunting and trapping of local wildlife for food. The many s
pecies of birds and small game, as well as larger animals such as elk and caribo
u, provide a source of food in an environment that is otherwise barren and inhos
pitable.
@@Gems
Gemstones, treasured throughout time for their beauty and value, have always bee
n a sought-after commodity. Most gemstones, such as diamonds, are mined in vario
us areas throughout the world, most notably Africa. Some of the most notable gem
deposits, however, have been found in archeological digs. The ruins of ancient
civilizations in the jungles of Central and South America have sometimes been fo
und to hide large quantities of precious and semi-precious gems, as well as gold
and other items of value. The discovery of such a site can lead to an increase
in trade in the areas surrounding the dig, as both professional and amateur trea
sure hunters swarm to the region to seek their fortune.
@@Gold
Gold has always been one of the most highly valued metals in the world. It is us
ed in the manufacture of everything from jewelry to electronics, and has been es
tablished as the basis for monetary systems world wide. The factor that makes go
ld valuable is its rarity. Although gold can be found in many different areas, t
he most valuable deposits are large veins of gold ore running through mountains.
When a large deposit is found, mining the deposit greatly boosts the economy in
settlements and cities near the mine. An historical example of this phenomenon
are the many towns that grew and prospered over a relatively short time during t
he California gold rush in America during the 1800's.
@@Iron
When early civilizations began to use metal to construct tools and weapons, the
most commonly used metal was bronze. Bronze had the advantage of being readily a
vailable and easy to work with. Unfortunately, it was too soft to hold an effect
ive edge. In the mid-14th century in central Europe, iron replaced bronze as the
metal of choice, and the Iron Age was begun. Since this time, iron has been a v
aluable commodity. Deposits of iron and iron ore found in mountains are mined an
d processed for use in their raw form, and in the production of steel.
@@Ivory
Ivory, the hard substance of which elephant tusks are composed, is highly sought
for the carving of ornamental objects. Most ivory is obtained from the tusks of
African elephants, but other sources include the tusks of walruses and the foss
ilized tusks of prehistoric elephants and mammoths found in the northern glacial
regions of the world. Although importation of ivory has been banned in many cou
ntries due to the fact that many of the species from which it is obtained are no
w endangered, the ivory trade was once a widespread and profitable venture.
@@Oasis
In rare instances, underground reservoirs or rivers beneath a desert may run nea
r the surface, forming a lake in the middle of an otherwise barren region of lan
d. The presence of water allows plants to grow, and may even attract animal life
. An oasis makes it easier for human settlements to survive in desert climates b
y providing rich soil for the growing of food crops. Since they are so rare, oas
es are fiercely guarded by desert dwellers who are lucky enough to stumble acros
s them.
@@Oil
Oil has been known to humans since ancient times. Oil deposits found on the surf
ace were used for centuries for waterproofing and fuel purposes. But it was not
until the coming of the Industrial Revolution that civilization began to form a
dependence on petroleum products. The widespread use of oil for fuel, lubricatio
n, and other purposes led to a search for larger supplies. In the mid 1800's, th
e first oil wells were drilled, marking the beginning of a tremendously importan
t and profitable industry. Today, with the world's oil supplies dwindling and th
e demand for oil constantly rising, oil is a more valuable resource than ever.
@@Peat
Some bogs and swamps contain a brown organic material known as peat. Peat is mad
e up of partially-decomposed plant matter, and has a high carbon content. Althou
gh dried peat is sometimes compressed and burned as fuel, the most valuable use
for peat is as a fertilizer and mulch for farming and gardening. The high minera
l content and its ability to retain moisture make peat well-suited to this purpo
se.
@@Silk
Silk has been a valuable commodity for textiles since its properties were discov
ered in the 27th century BC. Silk is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm mo
th, which was originally native to the forests of China. The fine fibers of the
cocoon is woven into cloth, which is used to make all types of clothing. Raw sil
k was obtained only from Asia until 550 AD, when two monks sent from the Roman E
mpire secretly stole silkworm eggs from China and brought them to Europe. Eventu
ally, silkworms were found in many areas throughout the world. Less expensive sy
nthetic fibers of the 20th century led to a decline in the silk market, but silk
is still very popular in many types of clothing and other goods.
@@Spice
Certain types of plants have evolved in such a way that they produce mild toxins
or repellents that make their odor or flavor distasteful to animals. Oddly enou
gh, many of these plants were sought by humans because of these smells and taste
s. A profitable spice trade was begun by merchants in the Middle East before 200
0 BC. Spices are used now, as they were in the ancient world, to preserve food a
nd enhance its flavor. Although spices are now commercially cultivated and prepa
red, most types can still be found in abundance in nature. Many of the most popu
lar spices, such as cloves and nutmeg, are extracted from plants that grow in tr
opical or swampy regions of the world.
@@Whales
Whaling, the hunting and killing of whales for oil and other byproducts, was pra
cticed as an organized industry as early as 875 AD. By the 16th century, it had
risen to be the principle industry in the coastal regions of Spain and France. T
he industry spread throughout the world, and became increasingly profitable in t
erms of trade and resources. Some regions of the world's oceans, along the anima
ls' migration routes, had a particularly dense whale population, and became the
targets for large concentrations of whaling ships, and the industry continued to
grow well into the 20th century. The depletion of some whale species to near ex
tinction led to the banning of whaling in many countries by 1969, and to a world
wide cessation of whaling as an industry in the late 1980's.
@@Wheat
Wheat has been a staple crop for civilizations occupying temperate zones of the
planet since pre-historic times. There is archeological evidence that bread whea
t was cultivated in southern Turkestan as early as 6000 BC, though naturally occ
urring wheat was probably used for food purposes much earlier. Throughout the te
mperate zones, wheat has become the primary food crop. It is particularly well s
uited for growth in vast, open plains like those found in the central United Sta
tes.
@@Wine
Wine, a beverage made from fermented grapes, was first produced as early as 6000
BC. Its use spread throughout the Middle East and Egypt, and it quickly became
a popular beverage of the ancient world. The grapes used for the making of wine
are grown in many different regions of the world. Most vineyards are located in
hills and valleys of temperate regions. Wine making as an industry has been perf
ected over several centuries. Many regions such as the Rhine and Loire valleys o
f Europe are well known for their fine wines, and derive a significant portion o
f their economy from wine making.
@GOVERNMENT_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the GOVERN.PDE
text file in the ;original Civilopedia. (French and German versions are .PDF an
d .PDG respectively.)
;
; The index is a mapping to the rules file. The labels to the right are the entr
ies, IN ORDER,
; that are in the rules.txt file. The number to the left is the description belo
w that
; corresponds to the rules entry. For example, Fundamentalism will be the 5'th (
remember,
; the list is zero based) description below begining with @@.
; Only ONE entry per line, number MUST BE TERMINATED WITH A COMMA.
; The list must terminate with a -2. A -1 indicates no desription, do not list o
r index.
;
@@GOVERNMENT_INDEX
0, ; Anarchy
1, ; Despotism
5, ; Monarchy
2, ; Communism
4, ; Fundamentalism
6, ; Republic
3, ; Democracy
-2, ; MUST BE HERE! TERMINATOR!
@@Anarchy
Anarchy represents not so much a government type as the lack of any stable gover
nment. Anarchy occurs when your civilization's government falls, or when you dec
ide to have a Revolution. After a few turns of Anarchy, you can rebuild a new go
vernment. Anarchy is similar to Despotism, except that the corruption rate is VE
RY HIGH. However, no taxes are collected during a period of Anarchy, and no scie
ntific research is conducted.
@@Despotism
In a Despotism, the ruler has absolute control over his or her subjects, and thi
s control is usually enforced by the military. This system has a tendency to min
imize individual freedom, and reduce the efficiency of production efforts.
* Each unit above the city size costs one Shield per turn.
* Settlers eat one Food per turn.
Up to three military units in each city institute "martial law". Each of these u
nits makes one unhappy citizen content.
Despotism has a high rate of corruption and waste. The farther a city is from yo
ur capital, the higher its level of corruption.
* Under a Despotism, Tax/Luxury/Science rates cannot be set higher than 60%.
* Any terrain square that ordinarily produces three or more of any resource (Foo
d, Shields, or Trade) produces one less.
* Because of Despotism's high rate of corruption, it is almost always an inferio
r form of government. Try to switch to a Monarchy as soon as possible.
@@Communism
A Communist government is ruled by a controlling party, with a single person, kn
own as a chairman, acting as the head of state. In a true Communist system, all
property is owned collectively by the people, and labor is organized to be equal
ly advantageous to all people. This ideal has never truly been realized, however
, and the "Communist" governments of the world are usually much different.
* Each unit beyond the third unit costs one Shield per turn.
* Settlers eat one Food per turn.
Up to three military units in each city institute "martial law". Each of these u
nits makes two unhappy citizens content.
Under Communism, state control of the economy eliminates organized crime. Your c
ities, therefore, experience no corruption.
* All Spy units produced under Communist governments are Veterans.
* Under Communism, Tax/Luxury/Science rates cannot be set higher than 80%.
* Communism is best for large, far-flung empires that need to maintain a large m
ilitary.
* Use your powerful Spies to steal technology from the capitalist pigs!
@@Democracy
A Democracy is ruled by a president elected by the people. The rulings of the pr
esident are subject to review by the Senate, a group of elected representatives
who serve the best interests of the citizens. Democracy allows its citizens a hi
gher degree of personal freedom and involvement than any other form of governmen
t.
* Each unit costs one shield per turn.
* Settlers eat two Food per turn.
Each unit that is not in a friendly city (or in a Fortress within three squares
of a friendly city) causes two citizens in its home city to become unhappy.
Democracies experience no corruption or waste.
* Tax/Luxury/Science rates can be set to any level desired.
* Under a Democracy, each square that ordinarily produces at least one unit of T
rade produces an extra unit of Trade.
* The units and cities of a Democracy are immune to bribery in any form.
* Your senate may force a peaceful solution in a conflict.
* Democracies can produce spectacular amounts of revenue and scientific research
. However, because of the severe happiness restrictions on military units, this
form of government tends to be viable only for large, advanced civilizations.
* Increasing your Luxury rate and building Improvements and Wonders can help all
eviate unhappiness.
@@Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is a form of government organized around a central set of beliefs
. These beliefs, usually religious in nature, form a rigid guideline for the act
ions and reactions of both the ruler and the people. In a Fundamentalist society
, the people and the rulers are entirely devoted to their beliefs, and are usual
ly willing to die to preserve them.
* Each unit beyond the tenth unit costs one Shield per turn (except Fanatics, wh
ich never require maintenance).
* Settlers eat two Food per turn.
Under Fundamentalism, no citizen is ever unhappy!
Fundamentalism has a very low rate of corruption.
* Under Fundamentalism, Tax/Luxury/Science rates cannot be set higher than 80%.
* Under Fundamentalism, all Science production is HALVED.
* Improvements that normally convert unhappy citizens to content citizens produc
e "tithes" (money) equivalent to the number of people they would normally conver
t, and require no maintenance.
* The diplomatic penalties for terrorist acts committed by Diplomats and Spies i
s reduced.
* Fundamentalism eliminates all happiness problems and provides excellent revenu
e, although research tends to languish.
@@Monarchy
A Monarchy is ruled by a single person, known as a monarch. The monarch's rule i
s less absolute than that of a despot, and he or she usually has the acceptance
of at least the upper-class. The aristocrats under this system of government hav
e some economic freedom, allowing the civilization to be more productive.
* Each unit beyond the third unit costs one Shield per turn.
* Settlers eat one Food per turn.
Up to three military units in each city institute "martial law". Each of these u
nits makes one unhappy citizen content.
Monarchy has a moderate rate of corruption and waste. The farther a city is from
your capital, the higher its level of corruption.
* Under a Monarchy, Tax/Luxury/Science rates cannot be set higher than 70%.
* Monarchy is an excellent form of government for a young civilization.
@@Republic
A Republic is an assembly of autonomous city-states under the control of a centr
al government. Although the central government has the ultimate say in matters t
hat affect the society as a whole, the city-states are given a certain amount of
latitude in the governing of local affairs. Decisions are made by the ruler, bu
t are subject to review by a group of officials known as the Senate.
* Each unit costs one shield per turn.
* Settlers eat two Food per turn.
Each unit beyond the first unit that is not in a friendly city (or in a Fortress
within three squares of a friendly city) causes one citizen in its home city to
become unhappy.
Republics experience a low rate of corruption and waste. The farther a city is f
rom your capital, the higher its level of corruption.
* Under a Republic, Tax/Luxury/Science rates cannot be set higher than 80%.
* Your senate may force a peaceful solution in a conflict.
* Switching to a Republic can give an astounding boost to your Science and Luxur
y revenues, although you will probably be forced to shift some Trade to Luxuries
in order to prevent unhappiness.
* Republics make it difficult and expensive to keep a sizable army in the field,
but building certain Improvements and Wonders can help to alleviate this proble
m.
@CONCEPT_DESCRIPTIONS
;
;Translation Note: The text in this section comes, verbatim, from the CONCEPT.PD
E text file in the ;original Civilopedia. (French and German versions are .PDF a
nd .PDG respectively.)
;
@@Disband
When a friendly unit becomes obsolete, costs too much to maintain, or causes unh
appiness among your population, you might want to eliminate the unit. To elimina
te a unit, order it to disband by holding down the shift key and pressing "D", o
r by selecting "Disband" from the Orders menu. Once disbanded, the unit is perma
nently removed from the game.
When a unit is disbanded inside a friendly city, half of the unit's production c
ost in Shields is added to the production of whatever unit, Improvement, or Wond
er is currently under production in the city.
@@Fortify
Roman legions on campaign halted their march early enough each evening to build
a completely fortified camp for the night. They had learned the value of defensi
ve fortifications when under attack. Where possible, it was the standard practic
e of most armies to build defensive works of some type whenever expecting an att
ack. Fortified defenders had their fighting strength multiplied, making it much
harder to defeat them.
Ground units can be ordered to fortify by pressing the "F" key, or by selecting
"Fortify" from the Orders menu. The defensive value of fortified units is increa
sed by 50 percent.
@@Fortress
Once your civilization has discovered Construction, Settlers and Engineers have
the ability to construct fortresses. Fortresses can be utilized to defend city p
erimeters and to block key points of access from enemy armies. A properly manned
fortress can provide an effective defense by doubling the defensive strength of
all units stationed within. Unlike normal combat, units stacked within a fortre
ss defend and are destroyed one at a time in battle, rather than being destroyed
simultaneously. Fortresses themselves do not suffer damage in the attack.
Settlers and Engineers can construct fortresses by pressing the "F" key, or choo
sing the Build Fortress command from the Orders menu. Units within a fortress ha
ve their defensive strengths doubled. Under a Republic, units stationed inside f
ortresses built within three squares of their home city do not cause unhappiness
.
@@Irrigation
When the early farmers moved down from the hills into the valleys of the Nile, T
igris, and Euphrates Rivers, they had to develop the technology of irrigation. T
he freshwater rivers passed through lands essentially barren due to the lack of
rainfall. Through irrigation, water could be removed from the rivers and spread
on the nearby land, making it suitable for farming.
Irrigation increases Food production in Grasslands, Plains, Deserts, and Hills.
Only squares vertically or horizontally adjacent to water (Oceans or Rivers) or
another irrigated square can be irrigated. After the discovery of Refrigeration,
terrain squares can be double-irrigated to create farmland. Settlers and Engine
ers can be ordered to irrigate by pressing the "I" key, or by selecting "Build I
rrigation" from the Orders menu.
@@Luxuries
The provision of Luxuries for your citizens is indicated by the goblet icons in
the Resource Box of the City Display. Each two Luxuries makes one content citize
n happy, or one unhappy citizen content. The amount of Luxuries a city produces
is mainly determined by the percentage of Trade you have allocated to Luxuries.
This can be adjusted using the "Change Tax Rate" command on the Kingdom menu. A
city's Luxuries can also be increased by building certain City Improvements and
Wonders of the World, and by converting citizens into Entertainers.
@@Mining
Early civilizations had little difficulty locating nearly pure deposits of usefu
l metals, such as gold, silver, and copper, lying exposed on the Earth's surface
. As time passed, the surface deposits were exhausted, and people began digging
into the ground to look for more. Mining and excavation for metals and other val
uable materials continues today.
Mining increases the Shield production of Deserts and Mountains by one, and incr
eases the Shield production of Hills by 3. Settlers and Engineers can be ordered
to dig mines by pressing the "M" key, or by choosing the "Build Mine" command f
rom the Orders menu.
@@Pillage
The terrain improvements built by other civilizations (irrigation, mines, roads,
etc.) can be destroyed by moving a unit into the improved terrain square and or
dering the unit to pillage. This reduces the production value of the land, and f
orces your enemy to re-develop the terrain.
Units can be ordered to pillage by holding down the shift key and pressing "P",
or by choosing the "Pillage" command from the Orders menu. The unit must be orde
red to pillage once for each of the terrain improvements you want to destroy. A
fully developed terrain square (farmland with a railroad, for example) must be p
illaged four times in order to remove all improvements.
@@Pollution
Pollution is most commonly caused by the excessive production of Shields in a ci
ty; however, it may also be caused by large city populations (after the discover
y of the Automobile), nuclear attacks, or the meltdown of a Nuclear Plant. When
a city poses a potential pollution problem, skulls on yellow triangles appear in
the Information Box of the City Display. The more skulls a city generates, the
higher the city's chance of polluting a terrain square within the city radius ea
ch turn. When world pollution reaches sufficiently critical levels, there is a c
hance that global warming can occur.
Pollution can be cleaned up by moving Settlers or Engineers into the polluted sq
uare and pressing the "P" key, or choosing the "Clean Up Pollution" command from
the Orders menu. Pollution production of cities can be reduced through the cons
truction of certain City Improvements, or by reducing the city's Shield producti
on.
@@Railroads
Railroads revolutionized transportation by providing a relatively cheap and fast
method of moving people, raw materials, finished goods, and troops over great d
istances. Not only did they support and encourage industrial growth by dramatica
lly reducing transport time and costs, they also spurred technological research.
Railroads were among the first great industrial corporations.
Railroads can be built by Settlers and Engineers after the discovery of the Rail
road. They are constructed by moving onto terrain containing a road, and pressin
g the "R" key, or by selecting the "Build Railroad" command from the Orders menu
. Units moving along a railroad expend no movement points. Railroads increase Sh
ield and Trade production by 50 percent (rounded down).
@@Roads
A network of good quality roads improves travel between cities. Roads were impor
tant to ancient civilizations for trade and the movement of troops. As technolog
y grew, roads were improved. Modern, paved roads are passable in almost any type
of weather, and can be traversed much more quickly than dirt roads.
Roads can be built by Settlers and Engineers by pressing the "R" key, or by sele
cting the "Build Road" command from the Orders menu. Roads can be built in any t
errain except Oceans; however, they cannot be built in a River square until the
discovery of Bridge Building. Units moving along roads expend only one third of
a movement point per square, regardless of terrain type. Roads also increase the
amount of Trade produced by Deserts, Plains, and Grasslands.
@@Science
The amount of scientific research contributed by a city is indicated by the beak
er icons shown in the Resource Chart of the City Display. At the start of each t
urn, the science output of each city is added to the research project currently
in progress, eventually resulting in the discovery of a new Civilization Advance
. The more beakers each city produces, the faster new Advances are discovered. T
he amount of science produced by your civilization is primarily determined by th
e amount of incoming Trade you have allocated to science. This percentage can be
adjusted by selecting the "Change Tax Rate" command on the Kingdom menu.
The science output of individual cities and your civilization as a whole can als
o be increased by building certain City Improvements and Wonders of the World, o
r by converting citizens into Scientists.
@@Sentry
Units ordered to go on sentry duty appear as gray silhouettes. These units are r
emoved from the movement queue, and remain on sentry duty until another unit mov
es into their sight range or until they are manually reactivated. Units on sentr
y duty inside a city are automatically loaded onto ships (up to the ship's unit
carrying capacity) when the ship leaves the city.
Units are placed on sentry duty by pressing the "S" key, or by choosing the "Sen
try" option on the Orders menu. Damaged units placed on sentry inside a city bec
ome active when they have been completely repaired.
@@Shields
The production of raw materials by your cities is represented by shield icons. T
hus, raw materials are commonly referred to as "Shields". The number of Shields
produced by each city is displayed in the Resource Chart of the City Display. Sh
ields are used to support units. Each unit might, depending on government type a
nd other circumstances, require that its home city expend one Shield per turn to
support the unit. Excess Shields not used to support units are used for the pro
duction of City Improvements, Wonders of the World, and new units.
Shield production largely depends on the type of terrain surrounding the city. I
n most circumstances, Shield production of a city can be increased through the c
onstruction of certain Improvements and Wonders. The construction of mines also
improves Shield production in certain types of terrain.
@@Specialists
The citizen icons displayed in the Population Roster of the City Display represe
nt the city's work force. Each citizen added to the roster is automatically put
to work developing one of the terrain squares within the city radius. In certain
situations it may become necessary to remove a citizen from terrain production
in order to perform a specific task. Citizens so removed are called specialists.
There are three types of specialist, each of which increases one of the three c
omponents of Trade produced by a city. Entertainers increase Luxuries, Tax Men i
ncrease Taxes, and Scientists increase Science production.
To create a specialist, click on any production square in the City Map. The prod
uction icons disappear from the square, and an Entertainer appears in the Popula
tion Roster. To create a Tax Man, click the Entertainer icon once. To create a S
cientist, first create a Tax Man, then click the Tax Man icon once. Cities must
be size five or larger to support Tax Men and Scientists.
@@Taxes
The Taxes collected by a city are indicated by gold coin icons in the Resource C
hart of the City Display. Taxes are used primarily to pay the maintenance cost o
f City Improvements each turn. Any tax revenues not used for maintenance of Impr
ovements are added to your treasury. The amount of Taxes generated by the city i
s primarily determined by the amount of incoming Trade you have allocated to Tax
es. This can be adjusted by selecting the "Change Tax Rate" option from the King
dom menu.
Tax revenues can also be increased through the construction of certain City Impr
ovements and Wonders of the World, or by converting citizens into Tax Men.
@@Trade
Trade represents more than just the exchange of goods and cash between cities an
d civilizations. Trade also represents the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and
the recreational travel and activities of the citizens of your civilization. The
total amount of Trade produced by each city is represented by double-arrow icon
s displayed in the Resource Chart of the City Display. Trade is then broken down
into three separate components: Taxes, Luxuries, and Science. The amount of Tra
de allocated to each of these areas is controlled by selecting the "Change Tax R
ate" option on the Kingdom menu.
Trade can be increased through the construction of certain City Improvements and
Wonders of the World. It can also be increased through terrain improvements, an
d through the establishment of trade routes.
@@Trade Routes
Trade routes are established by moving a Caravan or Freight unit into a city at
least ten squares from the unit's home city. You receive an immediate cash payme
nt on the turn that the route is established. On each ensuing turn, each city re
ceives a Trade bonus for as long as the trade route exists. The farther apart th
e two cities are, the more valuable the trade route. Trade routes established wi
th cities of a rival civilization tend to be more profitable than those establis
hed between friendly cities. Each city may have up to three active trade routes
at any time.
When using the Advanced Trade rules, the value of a trade route is also affected
by the type of goods traded. When trading a commodity that is demanded by the d
estination city, the trade route is much more profitable.
@@Veteran Units
During the American Civil War, soldiers who had never been in battle were said t
o have "seen the elephant" after being under fire for the first time. Afterward,
they were considered veterans. History shows that well-trained, veteran soldier
s are much more likely to survive a battle than inexperienced troops.
Units have a 50 percent chance of becoming Veterans each time they survive a com
bat encounter. Cities with a Barracks Improvement automatically produce Veteran
units, as do all cities under the influence of the Sun Tzu's War Academy Wonder.
The attack and defense factors of Veteran units is increased by 50 percent.
@@Corruption and Waste
As your civilization grows, you might notice that some of your cities are losing
some of their Trade and Shields to corruption and waste. Corruption is Trade in
come that is lost to theft, embezzlement, and other illegal practices. Waste is
Shield production that is lost to inefficiency. The farther a city is from your
capital, the more corruption and waste it experiences. The amount of corruption
and waste is also affected by the system of government you are using.

Corruption and waste, if left unchecked, can significantly slow the development
of your civilization. Both corruption and waste can be reduced by 50 percent by
building a Courthouse in the city experiencing the problem. The best solution, h
owever, is to switch your system of government to a more advanced form. The more
advanced the government, the less corruption and waste you experience. Communis
m and Democracy alleviate this problem altogether.
@@Unhappiness Due to Civ Size
Once you have built a certain number of cities, your citizens start to worry abo
ut your ability to effectively govern your civilization. When this occurs, addit
ional unhappy citizens appear in each city.
The number of cities you can build before causing additional unhappiness is base
d on a number of factors, including game difficulty level and government type. T
he number of cities is higher for more advanced governments and lower levels of
difficulty.
@@Combat Damage
It is now possible for units to be damaged as a result of combat. In each succes
sful attack, a unit inflicts an amount of damage equal to its Firepower rating.
The amount of damage a unit can sustain before it is destroyed is determined by
multiplying the unit's Hit Point rating by ten.
The approximate amount of damage a unit has sustained can be determined by the l
ength and color of the unit's damage bar (the colored bar at the top of the unit
's shield symbol). A green bar indicates that the unit has lost from 0 to 33 per
cent of its Hit Points, a yellow bar shows that the unit has lost from 34 to 66
percent, and a red bar indicates that it has lost 67 percent or more.
Damage also affects the movement of a unit. The percentage of movement lost is e
quivalent to the percentage of Hit Points lost. Sea units can never have their m
ovement reduced below two. The movement of air units is not affected by damage.
@@Transforming Terrain
In addition to the changes to Terrain that can be made through irrigation and mi
ning, Engineers are able to transform map squares into a radically different Ter
rain types by using the "Transform" command on the Orders menu. Terrain transfor
mation is particularly useful if the Terrain surrounding a city doesn't produce
sufficient resources.
See the Civilopedia entries for each Terrain type for the results of Engineer tr
ansformation.
@@Airbases
After the discovery of Radio, your Settlers and Engineers have the ability to co
nstruct Airbases. Airbases act as remote refueling stations for Fighters, Bomber
s, Stealth Fighters, and Stealth Bombers. Strategically placed Airbases effectiv
ely extend the range of these units, allowing them to operate farther from frien
dly cities and Carriers.
To build an Airbase, chose the "Airbase" command from the Orders menu, or press
the "e" key.
@@Airlift
After the discovery of Combined Arms, you have the ability to perform Airlift op
erations between your cities. Airlifting allows you to move units instantly over
great distances. In order to Airlift a unit between two cities, both cities mus
t have an Airport.
To Airlift a unit, move the unit into a city with an Airport and choose "Airlift
" from the Orders menu, or press the "l" key. A menu of possible destinations ap
pears. Choose the destination city from the menu, and the unit is instantly tran
sported to that city. The unit becomes available for use on the following turn.
@@City Squares
;Translation Note: This refers to the map squares occupied by cities, not "Town
Squares".
The resources utilized by a city are not only generated in the squares surroundi
ng the city: they are also generated by the city square itself. The city square
generates all the resources normally produced by the Terrain type on which the c
ity is built. In addition, the Terrain square occupied by the city is improved t
o the maximum extent possible. The city square automatically contains a road, wh
ich is upgraded to a railroad when the Railroad Advance is discovered. The city
square is also automatically irrigated or mined, depending on the type of terrai
n. Finally, if the city is built on Terrain that normally produces no Shields, o
ne Shield is automatically added to the other resources generated in the city sq
uare. These enhancements ensure that the city square produces the maximum amount
of resources possible.
@This must be here to terminate search!!!