Ancient Civilizations (S3-14-M)

[ST Challenges 113]

Results Announced Here!

Ancient Civilizations
Build a city scene from a previous era
Season 3 - Challenge #14 - Monthly (44 days)

Thanks to @Mymyjp for the challenge idea.

 

Over time, there have been many prominent civilizations. From the Greeks to the Romans and everything in between, each period has been unique. Not only changing society, but leaving behind defining buildings, monuments and structures. Some of these are now inhabitable, while others have been restored as heritage sites for all to witness and relive today in the 21st century.

However, for this challenge, we're going back in time, long before drones, smartphones and the internet.

In its former glory, we'd like you to create and showcase a scene from an ancient civilization, all those years ago.

Like with the previous Monthly challenge, we welcome up to 3 submissions. These can be from the same scene presenting a different angle, or a completely different location/period.

You may base your image(s) on any past civilization, and the goal should be to match the authenticity of this bygone era. What were the traditions and ways of life? Maybe do some research into the chosen civilization. It doesn't have to be a perfect recreation either visually or geographically, but try to capture the mood and atmosphere during this time. Be inventive! Also while not required, we actively encourage the use of image editing. Even something simple like changing the colour balance has a big impact on the overall mood.

There are limitations in available BATs/lots from these ages, so creativity will obviously play a key role here. Also image(s) don't necessarily have to be totally accurate. Realism and detail always helps, but a big part is to visually produce an image that is overall unique and interesting.

 

See the Possible Ideas section below for a few examples.

 

This is a  Monthly  challenge running for 44 days.

 

Submission Requirements

1. The submitted image(s) must be based on a time period in ancient history (view timeline).
    
2. You may use any city-building game -- including SimCity 4, Cities: Skylines, SimCity (2013), and CitiesXL / XXL.
    

3.  You may submit a maximum of 3 images into the challenge album. 

   a. All your entered images will be eligible for voting, however only your highest rated image will be used in the final ranking.
   So basically there are 3 opportunities to gain a place in the results, with no downside to submitting more than one.
   
   b. In the event of image(s) having an identical rating and votes, the earlier submitted image will be selected.
   
   For each submission, you may link a larger version in the description, or post inside the comments section. Please see this post for clarification.
    

4. For the purpose of voting, please check a full title & description are included on your image(s).
    
5. Your image(s) must be created solely by yourself, without any assistance from anyone else.
    
6. To qualify for entry, please ensure your image(s) are uploaded to the submissions category, and comply with these requirements.

 

Possible Ideas  

Here are a few ideas to get you started, just giving examples of ways to go about this challenge:

Note: The following is not a complete list, or a requirement:

• Busy market street
• Fishing harbour (for example)
• Original forms of transport
• People riding horses
• Native tribes
• Construction of something
• Wild West town
• A battle or conflict
• Now famous landmarks
• Pyramids
• A small settlement in the desert
• A historically significant event

 

Leaderboard Rankings  

A new leaderboard system is currently running for this season. This has been designed to incorporate all challenges, linking with each set of results.

Each place in a challenge has points on offer -- the higher you finish, the more points you gain. Then at the end of the season, prizes will be given out to the top 10 in the final standings, with the winner being crowned the Grand Champion! 

This  Monthly  challenge is eligible for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.

 

Full details and the current standings can be viewed in the following topic:

 

The winners will be the top 3 ranked images. Reputation prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries, and the overall average rating. See this topic for more info.

For this  Monthly  challenge, rep prizes will be given for the top 5 placed entries, along with points for the "Overall" and "Monthly & Custom Content" leaderboards.

Good luck everyone, this will be one for the ages...

 

[MushyMushy 3,617]

I'm just curious, about where would you drop the pin for ancient history? Anything in the B.C.E. times or instead of that up to a particular C.E. century? Just curious.

[SimCoug 5,972]

I'd say anything pre-1980s... The apple II is absolutely ancient technology.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Let's go along with any period roughly based on this timeline:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_ancient_history

I say 'roughly' because the idea is really about creating the general feel from a civilization in historic times. There are limitations in available BATs/lots from these ages, so creativity will obviously play a key role here. Also image(s) don't necessarily have to be totally accurate. Realism and detail always helps, but a big part is to visually produce an image that is overall unique and interesting.

Hope this makes sense, and I'll add this to the description.

[ST Challenges 113]

VOTING NOW OPEN!
Please visit the challenge album to cast your votes!

Voting will be open for 10 days.

Voting Rules

1. Votes may be cast by rating images inside the album.
2. You may rate all entries once at any rating value (1-5). All votes are anonymous.
3. We encourage you not to rate your own entry.
4. Try to vote on all other entries, as this will help ensure the results are evenly distributed.

 

Suggested Voting Criteria

Here are some ideas to help you evaluate each entry when voting:

• How well is the scene authentic to the chosen period of ancient history?
• To what extent does the image serve to portray the mood and atmosphere during this time?
• The amount of detail in the scene, adding to the overall visual appeal.
• Does the image stand out as being unique or interesting?
• The extent of creativity, considering the limitations of city-building games.
• If used, how effective is the use of custom content?

[ST Challenges 113]

VOTING CLOSED!

Results to be revealed in the next day or so, following that evidently more significant result tomorrow...

[ST Challenges 113]

Results Announcement

Ancient Civilizations
Build a city scene from a previous era
Season 3 - Challenge #14 - Monthly (44 days)

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 1st Place 

97  Rep
30  Bonus Points
78  TOTAL Points

It's fine time for...
 

Spoiler

Fall Wine Season in 1151 – philforhockey51

"It's the year 1151, a group of monks are working on the Fall harvest. Recently picked grapes are being brought in to be pressed 10 or 20 toes at a time."

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 2nd Place 

58  Rep
18  Bonus Points
61  TOTAL Points

On the edge of the Atlantic...
 

Spoiler

An Fhianait – rathefalcon

"My submission for the ancient civilization challenge: an overview of the hamlet of An Fhianait. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it features a small church and a handful of cottages around the early medieval age (800-1100 AD). Despite the sea spray from the waves crashing on nearby cliffs, it's a sunny day. The cows and sheep are out and men are hard at work. Rye fields – a crop that grows readily in Ireland's cool climate – wait to be harvested. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a collection of menhirs, or standing stones, seem to glow in the sun. The villagers have since converted to Catholicism but the megalith serves as a reminder of the pagan beliefs of the Gaelic people in centuries past."

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 3rd Place 

44  Rep
12  Bonus Points
50  TOTAL Points

Built to withstand the test of time...
 

Spoiler

The Great Wall in Autumn - 206 B.C. – korver

"A section of the Great Wall of China, freshly built during the Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.). This picture offers a glimpse into the past, as much of the wall has fallen into disrepair and the pagodas are long gone."

Click here to view the album entry.

 

Congratulations to the top 3!
 

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The remaining entries (4th to 10th) are ranked as follows...

 

Spoiler

 4th Place 

29  Rep
9  Bonus Points
41  TOTAL Points

Great Wall of China Scene 1 – RandyE

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 5th Place 

15  Rep
7  Bonus Points
34  TOTAL Points

On a Foggy Morning – 11241036

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 6th Place 

22  TOTAL Points

Frisian Fishing Camp – slickbg56

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 7th Place 

16  TOTAL Points

Town of Phenomia (Cathedral Hill) – alicenychto

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 8th Place 

11  TOTAL Points

Ancient Far East Village 3 – OwiHH

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 9th Place 

5  TOTAL Points

Schulmania Wirt – Schulmanator

Click here to view the album entry.

 

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 10th Place 

3  TOTAL Points

Lakota Island Eruption - 298 A.D. – Starcade

Click here to view the album entry.

 

 

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The rep prizes have been awarded, with the top 3 images to be placed in the Hall of Fame.

For authors who submitted multiple images, only their highest rated entry has been included in the above ranking.

As this was a  Monthly  challenge, points will count towards the Monthly and Custom Content Leaderboard, along with the Global Leaderboard.