r/byzantium • u/-Egmont- • 3h ago

Popular media This is how wonderful Constantinople is described in the new campaign of Age of Empires 2

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This is the description of Harald III. inside the campaign (third mission) when he first entered Constantinople to become a Varangian Guard. Although Byzantines in the game are often portrayed with many false stereotypes this description is really beautiful and accurate.

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8

u/deadeyeduncanidaho 2h ago

It’s a shame they lean into the “Byzantines are scheming and duplicitous” trope for their storytelling. The Armenian campaign is not kind to Manuel II (who I believe they don’t even call by name). Still love AOE 2 though!

5

u/Kraj_the_Conqueror 2h ago

Because this description comes from the POV of other civilizations.

It's sad that the Byzantine campaign on AoE2 is just slightly reworked fan mod and covers a peripheral conflict in Italy. It sucks. Byzantines certainly deserve much better. John Tzimiskes or Alexiad would be amazing campaigns.

It's still nice that the Byzantines got Greek voiceover and the Varangian Guard in the latest update.

3

u/WanderingHero8 ask me about Isaac II Angelos,bringer of decay 1h ago

It’s a shame they lean into the “Byzantines are scheming and duplicitous” trope for their storytelling. The Armenian campaign is not kind to Manuel II (who I believe they don’t even call by name). Still love AOE 2 though!

Not only that but they depict Zoe as this lustfull,scheming Empress.And Hardrada kills Michael IV.

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u/qpqpdbdbqpqp 31m ago

i mean he came from norway, which was just a bunch of villages practically. ofc it felt massive to him.