User Guide

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REPUTATION
Your reputation is based not on how peaceful or how warlike you are toward your neighbors,
but on how often you keep your word. Breaking alliances or treaties can blacken your
reputation in the international community. Savagely sacking the city of a treaty partner with
Legions, or breaking a cease-fire to bombard your opponent’s city by Stealth Bomber are
acts likely to be deplored throughout the known world. The actions of your Diplomats and
Spies can also damage your standing. Your computer opponents learn from your actions and
adjust theirs to fit their expectations. If you habitually break treaties, other leaders will have
no qualms about doing the same to you. It is important to note that the most severe censure
is reserved for the ringleaders in group actions. If you break your word because you were
“incited” by another player, the diplomatic penalty is drastically reduced. For example, if you
have signed a treaty with the Romans, and the Greek emissary asks you to declare war on
your erstwhile friends, it is a chance for you to break your treaty with the Romans at a much-
lessened penalty than if you had been the principle figure of treachery.
Over long periods of time, if you mend your ways by keeping your word to other rulers,
the black marks on your reputation can be partially erased and your honor somewhat
redeemed. If you build the Eiffel Tower Wonder, the process of character redemption is
speeded by a “lump sum” 25 percent shift in your favor, followed by a more rapid recovery
over time. Only through the effect of the Eiffel Tower can a player who has
broken his word regain a spotless reputation.
Finally, your reputation matters on the domestic front, too. When you
choose to govern your civilization as a Republic or Democracy, your
Senate pays careful attention to your conduct in foreign affairs. They can,
for instance, force you to sign a cease-fire or peace agreement. They are
also vigilant in trying to force you to keep your agreements. If they catch
you circumventing their oversight by intentionally provoking an enemy (by
refusing to leave enemy territory during a peace treaty, for instance, or if
a Diplomat or Spy causes an international incident), your government is
likely to collapse into Anarchy because of the scandal.
Julius Caesar
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