Post by Andrew A.N. Deloucas / Redsky

The Update 1.2.3 for @civilization.2k.com has unveiled Assyria as a new, playable civilization via their Right to Rule Collection. A small thread on what has been added:

(Right to Rule DLC*) Added a new Antiquity Age civilization Assyria. Nestled in the Fertile Crescent, Assyria was one of the earliest states to dominate the region. From beginnings in the city of Ashur to the rise of the great Neo-Assyrian Empire, a long succession of kings would oversee the bloody conquest of Babylon, Egypt, and others – acting as a conduit for Mesopotamian culture throughout the lands. These conquests would later spell doom for Assyria, as a Babylonian revolt ended the empire in 609 BCE. Attributes: Military, Science Unique Ability - Treasures of Nineveh: Gain a Technology upon capturing a Settlement for the first time. Codices are not awarded from Technologies. Unique Civilian Unit: Turtanu (Unique Commander Unit) Unique Military Unit: Magarru (Unique Cavalry Unit) Associated Wonder: Dur-Sharrukin

Civilization selection screen for Assyria.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 10 4

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Assyria's unique civilian unit is the turtanu, a high military official attested from the Middle Assyrian period onward. They were something like a Commander-in-Chief, with additional civic responsibilities. The most famous example was Shamshi-ilu, who campaigned against Urartu in 780 BCE.

Possibly the turtanu, rab sha resh (Chief Eunuch) and rab shaqe (Chief Cupbearer) according to Dezso 2012: 221.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 3 0 • view

The unique military unit is the magarru (which should be 'mugerru' in Assyrian; 'magarru' would be Babylonian and not in use by the 1st millennium BCE), a two-wheeled chariot known since the 12th century. These things were horrifying to confront and a major part of the military economy of Assyria.

The word mugirru is the Assyrian by-form of magarru. The reading of the logogram GISH.GIGIR in Neo-Assyrian (and possibly Middle Assyrian, Nuzi) is more likely to be mugirru than narkabtu, as suggested by mugirru in sha mugirri (q.v.); for references, see, however, narkabtu. Mugirru in sha mugirri: substantive; 1. chariot fighter, owner of the chariot, 2. charioteer, chariot driver; Neo-Assyrian; written syllabically and LU2.GISH.GIGIR.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 3 0 • view

Their unique ability is the 'treasures of Nineveh', which allows Assyria to gain a technology when capturing a settlement. This relates to the Assyrian practice of incorporating the libraries and archives of cities upon conquest. The library of Ashurbanipal is the culmination of this practice.

Museum display in Room 55 of the British Museum, exhibiting fragments from the Library of Ashurbanipal.

Civilopedia on Assyria regarding their unique ability.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 3 0 • view

The unique quarter is the Ekallu, or palace. It is created by constructing the royal library and citadel together. The notes here are great!

Example of the Ekallu district, as demonstrated in the 1.2.3 Update notes.

Civilopedia for Ekallu, the unique district for Assyria.

Civilopedia for Assyria's Royal Library.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 3 0 • view

The civics are the birtutu, kibrat arba'i, and tupsharrutu, which are all nicely conceived and hold some cultural and historical nuggets. I appreciate especially "over the course of 12 years, boys and girls were rigorously trained in cuneiform script;" yes, women learned, too!

Civilopedia for Birtutu, part of Assyria's unique civic tree.

Civilopedia for Kibrat Arba'i, part of Assyria's unique civic tree.

Civilopedia for Tupsharrutu, part of Assyria's unique civic tree.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 2 0 • view

Further in the Civilopedia notes, however, there are some alarming suggestions, such as Sumerians coming from the Indian subcontinent, Sargonic rebellion against Sumerian rule, the centuries after 2150 being a dark age, Assur having free trade, etc. These points do nothing but misinform readers.

The first few paragraphs of the Civilopedia entry for Assyria.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 3 0 • view

Overall, I'm excited to play as Assyria (with Charlemagne as my leader, of course). I'm not sure to what degree some of the language for this civ will be improved, but the mechanics as a military and science civ are well received and highlight some quintessential aspects of the Neo-Assyrian empire.

Starting a new game as Assyria, with the first city named Nineveh.

jul 22, 2025, 7:52 pm • 8 0 • view