The Athens bias is unbearable. It's really funny and laughable, but whatever. I stand by the Byzantine Empire. Ask any classical historian which was more of an impact on world history (hint: not one is going to say Athens). /Thread.

Humanism (as written about, recorded, and considered by Athenian scholars) had less of an impact on the world?

The popularization of Christianity in Greece such that the religion didn't die out had less of an impact on the world?

@ND unfortunately are agenda isn't part of this tournament, so stick to making your point.

Not one Classical Historian is going to say Athens is better. I am satisfied with this knowledge and that the Byzantine is the better Empire. I don't have to continue talking about the achievements of a world defining Empire to a bunch of biased people with an agenda. It is a waste of my time. I have more important things to do with my time then argue with biased people who don't read or consider anything I say. Bye.

Byzantine Empire wasn't "classic," Rome was "classic." Athens was "classic."

In Greece today you will find very few people with a positive view of the Byzantine Empire. Since independence; Greece very deliberately distanced itself from the Byzantines; except for the period where they used them to justify the Megali Idea. Something which today is only really supported by the Neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn. A vote for Byzantium is a vote for Neo-Nazis!

Byzantium is taught as a corrupt, bureaucratic monstrosity full of unnecessary political intrigue to rival Game of Thrones (some things never change in Greece).

On the other hand; classical Athens is held up as a shining example. The Greek state today cites that as its roots. It is studied very positively in Greek schools. Whereas the Byzantine Empire is not.

So you have two Greek Empires and ask which affected the modern world more. Modern Greece turned its back on Byzantium. Modern Greece embraced Athens. Modern Greece *chose*.

This argument was already won by Athens; nearly 200 years ago.

The WORLD turned its back on Byzantium. Their influence decreased over time.

Current: ATH 5 v BYZ 2

(Too clarify, this tournament has very fluid guidelines as human development is not static. So it is very much up to interpretation. Officially, any civ having existed at any time before 400AD is considered "ancient" and their entire history is included even histories passing the 400AD cap. So if a nation began in 395AD and survived until 700AD that entire history is part of this tournament. Of course this leaves open a long lasting civ to almost exist into classical times and still be ancient. Have fun convincing everyone else that they should consider all of those achievements ancient, but for this tournament a civ that started in 395AD and is still arguably existing today has access to all of their history between 395 and 2016

Alright 12 hours til final tally. Athens currently leads. Although there's been heavy support for Byzantine. At the least I am excited to see Byzantine join Persia and Lapita in the final group match of group c. Unless of course Byzantine could get 3 more votes to force a GM decision ;)

Great! another Persia vs Byzantium argument!

ugh i am not arguing anymore. Just tell us when it goes up so I can cast my vote.

GM note: if Byzantine v Persia v Lapita is the fourth round game then it will be shortened to 24 hours. No point in forcing 48.

If you haven't counted my vote, again
##VOTE Byzantine!

good good..

@WEBDIP COMMUNITY

##VOTE BYZANTINE

Nope :)

Didn't the Byzantines just lose though?

well.. no technically we have a couple hours yet.

Will officialy end ATH v BYZ soon. Voting is over however. I need to make sure i have the vote count 100% accurate. something tells me this match will be contested if it is close.

Is that because there's only 6 people with any stake in it at any given time?

It's not close, don't worry :)

I can't +1 Vash hard enough

Unfortunately a bunch of random came in to simply torpedo Byzantines. Athens bias is strong.

Random*

Final: ATH 5 v BYZ 3
Athens progresses to the quarterfinals to take on ROM while BYZ joins PER and LAP in a triple threat death battle starting now. Note; this match will only be open one day so I will close voting around midnight on 7/20 in my time zone (us eastern)

PER v BYZ v LAP
winner will take on Carthage

GM NOTE!!!! MISTAKE!!!
Current match is not BYZ v PER v LAP

Current match IS Macedonia (MAC) v Shu Han (SHU)

MY apologies

Hmm, something in my mind told me it was the Han Dynasty. Looks like I'll have to research Shu Han.

Same. Time to go do some research

i am sure because it is classical antiquity, Alexander, and Greece the Athens biased people will vote Macedonia.