![aoe 2 hand cannoneer aoe 2 hand cannoneer](https://www.highgroundgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/hand-cannon-hawk-moon-1024x532.jpg)
![aoe 2 hand cannoneer aoe 2 hand cannoneer](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ageofempires/images/d/d8/Elite_cannon_galleon_aoe2de.png)
The Byzantines had a head start over their neighbors and arguably reached their zenith while the rest of Europe was in the Dark Age, and pay less to advance to the Imperial Age.
![aoe 2 hand cannoneer aoe 2 hand cannoneer](https://static.ageofempires.com/aoe/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Photon-Man-1080x608.jpg)
Their unique technology is Logistica, referring to the Byzantines' strong military tactics and grants their Cataphracts trample damage to attack multiple enemies at once. The Cataphract is one of the few true counter units to infantry, slightly weaker than Knights. The Byzantines referred to themselves as Romans and retain many characteristics of the classical Roman Empire, such as their unique unit, the Cataphract, a type of heavy cavalry that happened to be present in Age of Empires I. The Byzantine Empire are an Eastern European civilization especially active in Western Asia, and are also known as the East Roman Empire.
![aoe 2 hand cannoneer aoe 2 hand cannoneer](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ageofempires/images/c/c2/LpbzWDe.png)
Their unique technology, Garland Wars, references the "flower wars" which the Aztecs organized amongst their allies in order to provide more sacrifices. The Jaguar Warrior is thus a heavy infantry unit who is strong against other infantry units. Their unique unit is the Jaguar Warrior, the highest rank of warrior in the Aztec army, wielding a wooden club studded with obsidian shards sharp enough to decapitate men and horses. The Aztecs are a Mesoamerican civilization appearing in The Conquerors Expansion.