8 Age of Empires Expansion
Martyrdom
Age: Iron
Research at: Temple
Benefit: Lets you instantly convert an enemy unit by sacrificing one of your Priests. You
cannot use Martyrdom to convert an enemy Priest.
To convert a unit using Martyrdom
1 Click a Priest, and then right-click the enemy unit to convert.
2 After the Priest starts converting, press DELETE. The priest is killed and
the unit is instantly converted.
Fervent believers who refused to renounce their religion at the risk of death
were called martyrs. Witnessing the death of a martyr had a powerful effect on
anyone of weak faith. The cause of Christianity, for example, was strengthened
by the spectacle of believers who willingly chose death over conversion to a
pagan religion then accepted by the Romans.
Medicine
Age: Iron
Research at: Temple
Benefit: Increases Priest healing rate.
Through trial and error, humans learned that certain herbs and plant products possessed medicinal
qualities. The invention of writing made it possible to record this knowledge and pass it on to following
generations by a method other than oral transmission. The science of medicine progressed gradually,
improving the quality and length of life.
Tower Shield
Age: Iron
Research at: Storage Pit
Benefit: +1 infantry armor against Ballista, Helepolis,
and missile weapons.
The Romans adopted a tall rectangular shield that gave them advantages in battle when used properly.
The size of the shield protected more of the body. The Romans fought in tight rectangular formations of
approximately 100 men called maniples. The shields of the men in the maniple presented a continuous
front, or shield wall, which protected them greatly from missile fire. They developed a formation variant
called the Testudo (or turtle). In this formation, the shields covered all four sides and the heads of the
men, allowing them to advance under missile fire. This was useful when advancing toward a gap in an
enemy wall.
