Pharaoh Dynasties includes two playable major Aegean factions and five playable minor Aegean factions, all led by characters of the Trojan War.

The major Aegean factions are Mycenae (red) and Troy (blue).



The minor Aegean factions are, from West to East: Ithaca (yellow), Aeolia (red), Boeotia (purple), Thrace (green) and Lycia (purple).



Major factions have unique buildings and unique commands. While minor factions lack these perks, they have full access to all other features such as the royal courts, ancient legacies and religion.

Mycenae is a major Aegean faction starting with no less than 4 settlements, including a port, in the Achae and Laconia provinces, located in the realm of Achae. The faction belongs to the Achaean culture. Its starting god is Zeus.

It's led by king Agammemnon (age 32), with his brother Menelaus (age 30) acting as second general. At the Aegean royal court, Agammemnon has the position of Aechaean Heqetas. The faction starts with the decree Valour of the Pious which grants +50% legitimacy from battle.

Mycenae lies within easy reach of Crete, the Cyclades, and Attica. The faction benefits from maintaining a high Influence in its provinces: the higher the influence, the more perks provided by its unique buildings, and the more income generated by its resource buildings.
Its unique command provides a free unit and a free ancillary to the faction leader (active use) or lower the construction time and cost of a number of strategic buildings (passive use).

- Mycenaean Militia, tier 1 light sword & shield infantry
- Mycenaean Raiders, tier 2 light two-handed axe infantry
- Island Skirmishers, tier 2 light javelin infantry
- Armoured Axemen, tier 3 medium axe & shield infantry
- Heavy Shielded Spearmen, tier 3 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Skirmish Chariots, tier 3 light javelin chariot
- Elite Mycenaean Axemen, tier 4 medium two-handed axe infantry
- Bows of Mycenae, tier 4 medium bow infantry
- Veteran Island Skirmishers, tier 4 light javelin & shield infantry
- Reinforced Chariots, tier 4 heavy spear chariot
- Armoured Spearmen, tier 5 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Renowned Axemen, tier 5 heavy axe & shield infantry

The Mycenaean roster excels in armoured infantry deadling heavy damage, with some infantry units having vanguard deployment for surprise attacks. However, their poor ranged capabilities often leave them at a disadvantage at long range. Shielded spearmen can serve as mobile cover to close the gap before engaging the enemy with javelinmen, axemen and chariots.

Troy is a major Aegean faction starting with 3 settlements in the Wilusa province. It belongs to the Pelasgian culture. Its starting god is Apollo.

Troy is led by the old king Priam (age 50), with his scion Hector (age 22) acting as general. Hector's brother Paris and their cousin Aeneas are also available as recruitable generals. Conveniently, Troy starts with the decree Martial Nobility which grants +2 ranks to recruited generals. At the Aegean royal court, Priam has the position of Wanax.

Troy's starting position offers access to the sea travel lanes which lead west to the mineral-rich islands of the Aegean Sea, north to Thrace and the highlands of Anatolia, and south to Crete and the Mediterranean Sea. Its unique command provides special recruitment from the rosters of allied factions (active use) or gold income increased by the presence of foreign influence in your provinces (passive benefit). Troy's unique buildings are mostly designed to be raised in its capital province of Wilusa. They can provide stronger faction units and improve Troy's diplomatic standing. In short, Priam's faction is a diplomatic powerhouse, especially if paired with the legacy of Perseus, and a great pick if you enjoy playing 'tall'.

- Trojan Mob, tier 1 light spear & shield infantry
- Trojan Swordsmen, tier 2 medium sword & shield infantry
- Trojan Slingers, tier 2 light sling infantry
- Trojan Sworn Warriors, tier 3 medium two-handed club infantry
- Shielded Spear Warriors, tier 3 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Renowned Archers, tier 3 medium composite bow infantry
- Veteran Trojan Swordsmen, tier 4 heavy sword & shield infantry
- Exemplary Trojan Slingers, tier 4 medium sling & shield infantry
- Heavy Trojan Chariots, tier 4 heavy spear chariots
- Guards of Troy, tier 5 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Trojan Nobles, tier 5 medium composite bow infantry
- Trojan Noble Chariots, tier 5 medium bow chariots

The Trojan faction roster is highly defensive, with strong armor values and excellent ranged units. However their infantry units have lower damage output compared to their Achaean counterparts. Utilizing heavy infantry to hold the line, composite bows to deal damage from afar, and chariots to flank the enemy is the key to victory for Trojan generals.

Ithaca is a minor Aegean faction starting with a single island region in the Cephallenia province, located in the realm of Achaea. It belongs to the Achaean culture. Its starting god is Poseidon. The faction is led by king Odysseus.

Its unit roster is composed of a solid frontline supported by strong ranged options, which is uncommon for Aegean factions. However it lacks access to chariots and cavalry.

Ithaca's faction unit roster:
- Aegean Spear Chargers, tier 3 light two-handed spear infantry
- Heavy Shielded Spearmen, tier 3 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Aegean Light Archers, tier 3 light bow infantry
- Elite Mycenaean Axemen, tier 4 medium two-handed axe infantry
- Exemplary Ambushers, tier 4 light javelin & shield infantry
- Knossian Archers, tier 5 medium composite bow infantry
- Armoured Spearmen, tier 5 heavy spear & shield infantry

Aeolia is a minor Aegean faction starting with 2 settlements, including a port, in the Thessaly province located in the realm of Achae. The faction belongs to the Achaean culture. Its starting god is Ares. It's led by Achilles.

Its unit roster offers strong flanking options, but few defensive units to act as anvils.

Aeolia's faction unit roster:
- Achaean Runners, tier 3 light sword & shield infantry
- Aegean Spear Chargers, tier 3 light two-handed spear infantry
- Achaean Javelinmen, tier 3 medium javelin infantry
- Argive Axemen, tier 4 medium axe & shield infantry
- Reinforced Chariots, tier 4 heavy spear chariot
- Vanguard of Pteleon, tier 5 heavy club & shield infantry

The Boeotians are a minor Aegean faction starting with 2 settlements, including a port, in the Aetolia province located in the realm of Achae. It belongs to the Achaean culture. Its starting god is Zeus
The faction is led by Ajax the Great, with Diomedes acting as second general.

As most Aegean factions, its unit roster is composed of solid offensive and defensive infantry, but with limited options in terms of chariots or ranged units.

Boeotia's faction unit roster:
- Achaean Hillmen, tier 3 light two-handed club infantry
- Armoured Axemen, tier 3 medium axe & shield infantry
- Renowned Armoured Slingers, tier 3 medium sling infantry
- Aegean Armoured Raiders, tier 4 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Elite Mycenaean Axemen, tier 4 medium two-handed axe infantry
- Armoured Spearmen, tier 5 heavy spear & shield infantry

Thrace is a minor Aegean faction starting with two settlements, including a port, in the Mygdonia province located in the realm of Thrace. It belongs to the Thracian culture, unsurprisingly. Its starting god is Ares. The faction is led by king Rhesus.

The Thracian unit roster is quite different from what it was in Troy Total War, as it's well balanced rather than focused on shock infantry as it used to be. It doesn’t excel at any one warfare type.

Thrace's faction unit roster:
- Worshippers of Zalmoxis, tier 3 medium two-handed club infantry
- Thracian Spearmen, tier 3 medium spear & shield infantry
- Renowned Armoured Slingers, tier 3 medium sling infantry
- Thracian Guard, tier 4 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Renowned Phrygian Javelin Throwers, tier 4 medium javelin infantry
- Renowned Axemen, tier 5 heavy axe & shield infantry
- Mad Mares of Thrace, tier 5 heavy spear chariots

Lycia is a minor Aegean faction starting with two settlements, including a port, in the Lycia province located in the realm of Assuwa.
Like Troy, Lycia belongs to the Pelasgian culture. It can choose its royal tradition from the Aegean or the Hittite traditions. Its starting goddess is Aphrodite. It's led by king Sarpedon.

Its unit roster is a negative mirror of Ithaca's, with strong chariots but no ranged infantry.

Lycia's faction unit roster:
- Shielded Spear Warriors, tier 3 heavy spear & shield infantry
- Assuwan Swordsmen, tier 3 medium sword & shield infantry
- Anatolian Chariots, tier 3 medium spear chariots
- Heavy Shock Spears, tier 4 heavy two-handed spear infantry
- Lycian Winged Chariots, tier 4 light bow chariots
- Heavy Trojan Chariots, tier 4 heavy spear chariots
- Guards of Troy, tier 5 heavy spear & shield infantry

The Aegean factions are spread over three realms: Achaea in the west, Thrace in the north and Assuwa in the east. Conquering an entire realm grants you its unique legendary standard ancillary, which can be assigned to one of your army generals.



Each realm features its own roster of native units available for local recruitment, in addition to the roster of the faction units.

- Achaean Slingers, tier 1 light sling infantry
- Young Spears, tier 1 light two-handed spear infantry
- Achaean Bowmen, tier 2 light bow infantry
- Island Club Warriors, tier 2 light club & shield infantry
- Achaean Spearmen, tier 2 medium spear & shield infantry
- Achaean Chariots, tier 3 medium spear chariots
- Achaean Javelinmen, tier 3 medium javelin infantry
- Achaean Runners, tier 3 light sword & shield infantry
- Achaean Hillmen, tier 3 light two-handed club infantry
- Renowned Armoured Slingers, tier 3 medium sling infantry
- Argive Axemen, tier 4 medium axe & shield infantry
- Shielded Spearmen, tier 4 medium spear & shield infantry

- Forest Skirmishirs, tier 1 light javelin infantry
- Thracian Mountaineers, tier 1 two-handed club infantry
- Thracian Plainsmen, tier 2 light sword & shield infantry
- Thracian Light Chariots, tier 2 light spear chariots
- Thracian Chariots, tier 3 medium spear chariots
- Thracian Spearmen, tier 3 medium spear & shield infantry
- Worshippers of Zalmoxis, tier 3 medium two-handed club infantry
- Thorns of Thrace, tier 4 medium javelin chariots
- Thracian Archers, tier 4 medium bow infantry
- Thracian Guard, tier 4 heavy spear & shield infantry

- Assuwan Slingers, tier 1 light sling infantry
- Assuwan Warriors, tier 1 light two-handed club infantry
- Coastal Club Fighters, tier 2 medium club & shield infantry
- Eastern Spearmen, tier 2 medium spear & shield infantry
- Assuwan Archers, tier 2 light bow infantry
- Assuwan Swordsmen, tier 3 medium sword & shield infantry
- Anatolian Chariots, tier 3 medium spear chariots
- Renowned Trojan Slingers, tier 3 medium sling infantry
- Assuwan Archer Chariots, tier 4 light bow chariots
- Armoured Lycian Archers, tier 4 medium composite bow infantry
- Heavy Shock Spears, tier 4 heavy two-handed spear infantry
- Heavy Assuwan Spearmen, tier 4 heavy spear & shield infantry

The Aegean major and minor factions are divided in three culture groups:
- Achaeans: Mycenae, Ithaca, Aeolia, Boeotia and non-playable factions
- Thracians: Thrace and non-playable factions
- Pelasgians: Troy, Lycia and non-playable factions
This division corresponds roughly but not exactly with the realms. Assuwa is inhabited by Pelasgians as well as Phrygians and Hittites.

Factions from the same culture tend to enjoy diplomatic affinities, and can confederate each other.

Factions from different cultures suffer from diplomatic penalties and can't confederate each other. However they can still have access to diplomatic marriages, alliances and vassalisation.

The Aegean pantheon is made of five deities: Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Ares, and Aphrodite. These gods and goddess can be discovered by expanding into the three Aegean realms.

The benefits provided by a deity are increased when reaching high tiers of favour with him or her. To increase your favour, build shrines (outposts) and temples (settlement buildings) and take control of the deity's cult centre.

Zeus is the starting god of Mycenae and Boeotia. Other factions can discover him by exploring the realm of Achaea. His cult center is in Mycenae.

• Shrines to Zeus increase the happiness in the province and lower the construction costs of the management and administration buildings in the region.
  
• Prayers to Zeus increase the morale and decrease the fatigue build-up of the army.
  
• Generals devoted to Zeus benefit from a larger aura size and increased missile damage for the missile chariots and javelin units in their army.

Poseidon is the starting god of Ithaca. Other factions can discover him by exploring the realm of Achaea. His cult center is in Knossos.

• Shrines to Poseidon increase the faction's influence, port food production and wood production in the province.
  
• Prayers to Poseidon increase the movement at sea of the army and grant them deep sea attrition immunity.
  
• Generals devoted to Poseidon benefit from increased battle loot and provide a speed boost to the melee infantry and chariots in their army.

Apollo is the starting god of Troy. Other factions can discover him by exploring the realms of Assuwa and Thrace. His cult center is in Troy.

• Shrines to Apollo increase the happiness in the province and increase the missile damage of the units recruited in the province.
  
• Prayers to Apollo increase the reload speed of the units in the army and increase the line of sight of the general.
  
• Generals devoted to Apollo provide more ammunition to the units and higher ranged lethality to the missile infantry in their army.

Ares is the starting god of Aeolia and Thrace. Other factions can discover him by exploring the realms of Assuwa and Thrace. His cult center is in Siris, in the province of Mygdonia, in the realm of Thrace.

• Shrines to Ares increase the workforce growth and decrease the recruitment cost of units recruited in the province.
  
• Prayers to Ares increase the amount of captives taken by the army and provide generals with a happiness boost.
  
• Generals devoted to Ares benefit from increased battle loot and provide a morale boost to the light and medium infantry and chariots in their army.

Aphrodite is the starting goddess of Lycia. Other factions can discover her by exploring the realms of Assuwa and Thrace. Her cult center is in Cabalis, in the province of Isthmos, in the realm of Assuwa.

• Shrines to Aphrodite decrease the food recruitment cost of units recruited in the province and increase the workforce growth in the province.
  
• Prayers to Aphrodite increase the amount of captives taken by the army and provide generals with a happiness boost.
  
• Generals devoted to Aphrodite provide a morale boost to the light and medium infantry and light and medium chariots in their army, and increase the replenishment rate of their army.

Aegean factions also have access to an exclusive religious feature. The hecatomb is a mass sacrifice of food which immediately applies the benefits of a god's prayer to all generals of the faction for 4 turns.
Hecatombs have a cooldown period and can be upgraded by a royal decree.

Aegean factions have access to two ancient legacies: Atreus and Perseus.

This ancient legacy rewards military actions. Completing specific objectives, such as defeating a given army or taking a given settlement, grants Dominance points. Dominance can be used to strongarm other factions into favourable diplomatic deals, court requests or legitimacy support.



This ancient legacy rewards diplomatic actions. Signing alliances gives access to the allied rosters and grants Unity points. Unity improves the recruitement of allied units. In addition, ancilliaries can be spent to host olympic games which provides food and peace deals between participants.

The Aegean world includes unique outposts and buildings which grant legitimacy and other benefits to their owner.

These two landmarks are pre-built on an outpost slot. They can't be destroyed, only sacked.

• Lemnos Necropolis, outside of the province capital of Boras Nesoi: +5 legitimacy, +70% region line of sight.
  
• Statue of Cybele, outside of the province capital of Ephesos: +5 legitimacy, + 6 workforce growth

These landmarks need to be built in the capital settlement of specific provinces. There are eight of them, and each one allows the recruitment of a high tier unit.

• Cyclopean Walls, in the province capital of Mycenae: +5 legitimacy, +5 siege holdout time, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Palace Guards
  
• Citadel of Troy, in the province capital of Wilusa: +5 legitimacy, +3 diplomatic relations with all factions, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Troy's Chosen
  
• Fortress of Ithaca, in the province capital of Cephallenia: +5 legitimacy, +70% region line of sight, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Exemplary Ambushers
  
• Palace of Minos, in the province capital of Crete: +5 legitimacy, +2 influence factionwide, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Knossian Archers
  
• The Sacred Way, in the province capital of Mira: +5 legitimacy, +30 favour with all worshipped gods, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Arzawan Chargers
  
• Royal Asaminthos, in the province capital of Thessaly: +5 legitimacy, +50% replenishment for units of tier 4, 5, 6 and bodyguards, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Vanguard of Pteleon
  
• Lycian Stables, in the province capital of Lycia: +5 legitimacy, +50% movement on land of own armies in the province, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Lycian Winged Chariots
  
• Hilltop Holdfast, in the province capital of Thrace: +5 legitimacy, -50% upkeep of own armies in the region, +1 victory point, allows the recruitment of Mad Mares of Thrace

Another figure of the Trojan War is playable in Pharaoh Dynasties: prince Memnon of Aethiopia, nephew of King Priam of Troy.

He leads Napata, a minor Egyptian faction starting with 4 settlements in southern Kush, not far from Amenmesse.

If you'd like to reenact Memnon's travel to Troy, use the new sea lanes available on the Nile and through the Mediterranean Sea.

As most factions from Kush and Nubia, Napata's unit roster is focused on archery.

It's worth noting that the characters leading the Aegean factions aren't historical but mythological figures. If you'd like to learn more about the Trojan War, have at look at this guide:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2599972053
If on the other hand you're interested in the historical peoples, lands and events of the Late Bronze Age Collapse, here's an introduction:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3043204315