Ancient and World History

Scythe chariots were an Egyptian military innovation - blades attached to chariot wheels to mow down enemy infantry. Ballistae and crossbows were Greek/Roman inventions; mirror towers are fictional.

While the Great Wall's construction spanned multiple dynasties over 2,000 years, the majority of the best-pexisting brick sections we see today were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Ming emperors undertook the most extensive reconstruction and fortification projects, creating the iconic brick structure that survives today. Earlier sections were often rammed earth and have largely eroded.

Qin Shi Huang (Qin Shi Huangdi), the first Emperor of China, ordered the connection and expansion of existing fortification walls between 220-206 BC to create a unified defensive barrier against northern invaders. While he didn't build the entire Great Wall (which expanded over centuries), he initiated the concept of a continuous wall. 'King Zheng' was his name before becoming emperor.

According to legend, Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC). The Battle of Athens, Sparta, and 'Battle of Greek' are not historically accurate names of this specific battle.

In Age of Empires II, the Teutonic civilization has a civilization bonus that makes their farms cost 33% less wood. This economic bonus allows Teutons to establish food production more quickly and efficiently than other civilizations. None of the other listed civilizations (Chinese, Vikings, or Persians) have reduced farm costs as their specific bonus.

This question appears to be asking about the Byzantine civilization in Age of Empires II. The Byzantines have a civilization bonus that makes their research advance 20% cheaper and faster, allowing them to technology-upgrade more efficiently than other civilizations. While the question wording is unusual, the answer 'Byzantine' is correct for identifying their special research advantage.

In Age of Empires II, the Saracen civilization has a team bonus where their galleys and fire galleys fire 20% faster. This gives Saracens a significant advantage in naval combat, especially in maps with water. The Vikings have naval bonuses but not specifically faster firing galleys, while Persians and Mayans have different bonuses.

The abacus has its origins in ancient China around 3000 BC, where it was developed as a counting and calculation tool. While other cultures later developed similar devices, archaeological evidence points to China as the birthplace of the earliest abacus.

In Age of Empires II, the Turkish civilization has a team bonus where gold mining is 20% faster for all players. Byzantines have building cost discount, Koreans have tower bonus, and Celts have infantry speed bonus but not specifically mining bonus.

In Age of Empires II, Crenellations is a unique technology researched by the Teutons. It increases building range and allows garrisoned units to shoot arrows. Byzantines, Mayans, and Vikings don't have this technology.

In Age of Empires II, Persian cavalry units (including knights) have a +2 attack bonus against archers. This is part of their civilization bonus. Mongols have horse archer bonuses, Franks have cavalry HP bonus, and Huns have cavalry cost bonuses but not specifically this attack bonus.

Huns have a civilization bonus that makes cavalry archers cost 20% less in Imperial Age (and 10% less in Castle Age). This bonus, combined with their focus on cavalry, makes them the go-to civilization for cheap cavalry archers.

Britons have a unique civilization bonus where shepherds (and food gatherers working with sheep) work 25% faster. This reflects the historical importance of wool and sheep farming in medieval Britain.

In Age of Empires II, the Koreans have a civilization bonus that grants free tower upgrades (Guard Tower, Keep) once Castle Age is reached. This is part of their defensive architecture bonuses.

Xerxes I (also known as Xerxes the Great) was the famous King of Persia who ruled from 486-465 BCE. He is best known for his invasion of Greece.