I am playing as Sparta, should I take Athens

[NICO OLAS]

Should i take Athens or will them being an ally be more beneficial then conquering them?
Also, how about knossos, are they worth conquering vs having them as an ally?

[Nugcrusher]

If I played Sparta, although I never have, I'de take both. When doing Athens, I have taken Knossos and then waited for the opportunity to take Sparta. With that done, all of Hellas is mine, and that is a good place to start. Like I said, I've never done Sparta...I suppose they must keep a close eye on Epirus,,,but Athens is a trading port that would connect to the capital of Sparta, therefore...

[KingRudigerIII]

Taking Athens gives you the ability to open trade with other factions. Otherwise, Athens is your only trading partner.

[Solo]

athens if failed to expand will always ask to be your client state so its a win win
either way

[Sato]

BigGirth is right
sparta has no habor and the border to athen stop your merchants. you cant trade to other states if athen exist. so it is more a money question if you fight again athen
knossos is a minor you could fight if you want
knossos never conquer other nations

[Varmint]

Another reason to take Knossos and also Epheseus (unless new patch has changed merc regions) is for the Rhodian Slingers and Cretan Archers. Believe one of those 2 can also be recruited in Athens, maybe? Those missile units (and ballista) behind Spartan Spears can wreck a low tier (unarmored) enemy force - to include AI missile units on City Walls.

[NICO OLAS]

Thank you everyone that commented.

[abrensons]

yes on turn 2 or 3

[Yanamonie]

I'm playing as Sparta at the moment and I took Athens, Knossos is a cliant state of mine.

[Look]

Be careful of Knossos they will try to draw into a lot wars and maybe at time break away from you after you join in some other wars to see if they can weaken you. Best thing to do is to hit them in the begin

[Imperator Theodosius I]

Taking Athens is a vital part of a Spartan Campaign. Try to do it quickly, because the Athenians have a better economy than you, and Epirus would be a problem soon.

[Jonboy]

A good question OP. I am in a Sparta campaign ATM. Ive played this many times before. Its wiser to take Athens. It gives you an economic power house with Sparta as acting barracks.

Not to take Athens means she grows strong at your expense. You only have a single province. So you risk being left behind. However, not attacking her is the honourable thing. Im currently honouring our treaty and she has just taken Pella. So, I have to decide what to attack and my empire is tiny. But its more of a challenge.

[Icecream1973]

@OP............. this is why these games are called strategy games..........

[ImaBananaPhone]

Take Athens and make allies of Knossos unless you want to face their epic island defense

[Jambie Lionheart]

It's a matter of preference and what you want to do. You can keep them as your allies if yu want and keep you honour intact or you can take Athens and have that extra income. Upto you friend :)

[NICO OLAS]

after playing for a wile, i have taken athens, it is past turn 50, i have been trying to make an allience with knossos but they won't do it, the only progress i have made is a defensive allience, my armies are far away from knossos