AoC Byzantine Expedition (Theme of Sicily 2.0)

This mod adds the Byzantine Expedition (Theme of Sicily) faction to AoC with full faction campaign features such as the Kingdom Event (to ‘Roman Empire’), Chapter Missions, Political Parties, Victory Conditions, Balanced Unit Roster, Dilemmas, Historical Texts, Civil War and more!

I’ve aimed to implement the faction with consistant quality, balance and full content that matches other AoC factions and content, leading to a complete and seamless vanilla campaign experience. There is more focus and attention to detail in this mod, meant to match the AoC DLC 100%.

AoC Byzantine Expedition (this mod) has many improvements & updates, and is a total replacement of my old AoC Theme of Sicily 1.0 mod. This mod also combines my previous separate AoC Byzantine Units Expanded and AoC Byzantine Fire Ship mods that I’ve made too.

The Byzantines are a naval power and advanced culture, but suffer from high expenses and many enemies due to the Expedition. The campaign follows the conquest of the Mediterranean by a Byzantine Expedition, expanding the Theme to form the Roman Empire (West). With a strong navy, your army should focus on the diverse ranged and calvary units, with melee infantry to hold the line.
Campaign
– Control a historically plausible Byzantine Expedition. Expand and form a Roman Empire in the West!
– Expedition led by Nicepheros, brother of Emporer Leo IV.
– Unique Roman cultural group and a new faction trait (Maritime Powerhouse).
– Benefits from Roman culture (+sea +sanitation), but Expedition penalties (-upkeep -diplomacy).
Battle
– Very strong navy, but more expensive (-cost).
– Army with diverse, strong ranged and cavalry; but limited, expensive melee (-cost -upkeep).
– Featuring ballistas, horse archers, Kataphraktoi & Greek Fire!
– Unique campaign military tech tree allowing for Imperial upgrades of units (+upkeep +morale).

1. Full quality, balance and polish to fit vanilla AoC content…
2. Redesigned the faction campaign (objectives and starting settlements, characters & armies).
3. Rewrote the faction historical story and texts (faction intro, missions and events).
4. A new dilemma (turn 25) that follows a series of decisions on Byzantine aide and support.
5. Careful rebalances for better battle and campaign gameplay.
6. Continued updates. You will definately find a better experience than my old Theme of Sicily 1.0.

This mod is recommended for any vanilla AoC playthrough (even with many minor mods)!
While historical accuracy is kept in mind, liberties have been taken to make the content match vanilla AoC design and for better gameplay.

Updates to this mod will usually be save game compatible.Should be compatible with most minor mods that add to vanilla AoC. Overhauls are probably incompatible with this mod, you just won’t be able to select the faction.

Achievements and multiplayer campaign compatible.

Credits: ep1c_fail for the Chi Rho Faction Icons

AoC Campaign Enhanced
AoC Bodyguards Expansion
AoC Unique Units Expansion
AoC Onager fix

Support is appreciated if you like these kind of mods for future Total War games.