The Roman people represent both the Roman Republic and the subsequent Roman Empire, an Antiquity Age civilization in Civilization VII.
The Romans' civilization ability is Twelve Tables, which grants 
Culture on 
Districts in the 
Capital and 
City Centers in 
Towns. Their associated 
Wonder is the Colosseum, and their unique assets are as follows:
| Asset | Description |
|---|---|
 Legion
|
+1  Combat Strength for every Roman  Tradition in the  Government.
|
 Legatus
|
Gains 1 charge to create a new  Settlement for every 3  Levels it has.
|
 Forum
|
+1 Culture for every Tradition in the Government.
|
 Basilica
|
+3  Influence.+1  Gold per adjacent Culture Building or Wonder.
|
 Temple of Jupiter
|
+3  Happiness.+1 Culture per adjacent Happiness Building or Wonder.
|
 Exercitus Romanus II
|
Legati gain the Bulwark Promotion for free.
|
| Civis Romanus II
|
+2 Gold in the Capital for every Town.
|
 Legatus Pro Praetore
|
Gain a free  Infantry Unit in new Settlements you found.+1  Settlement Limit.
|
| Senatus Populusque Romanus
|
+1  Social Policy slot in the Government.+1 Settlement Limit.
|
| Auxilia
|
+3%  Production towards Military Units in the Capital for every Town.
|
| Cursus Honorum
|
+1 Culture on Diplomacy and  Military Buildings.
|
| Latinitas
|
+1  Food, Gold, and Culture in Towns, or +2 in Fort Towns.
|
| Princeps Civitatis
|
+1 Production on Urban Districts in your Capital.
|
Intro[]
Rome: a name synonymous with power. Legend has it that the first Romans were raised by wolves. Seeing the debates in the Senate, the achingly straight Roman roads, and the well-ordered legions, one might doubt this. Seeing the light of ambition in Roman eyes, one does not. Raise the eagle standard, and let the world know the glory that is Rome.
Tips and hints[]
Use the Cursus Honorum Tradition to generate Culture when producing Legions, then direct them in battle with your Legatus to earn it experience. After enough promotions, it can settle a new Town.
Strategy[]
Rome is one of the most powerful militaristic and cultural civilizations in the Antiquity Age. The backbone of Rome's strength lies in its Legions, an elite unit that gains +2 Combat Strength for each Tradition in your Government. This makes them one of the most dominant Land Units in the midgame, capable of outperforming nearly any rival force.
To maximize Rome's military potential, two key conditions must be met:
- Unlock Bronze Working – Ideally, you should also acquire Mastery for the extra +3
Combat Strength boost. - Complete the Roman Traditions Tree – Obtain the four traditions as early as possible.
Since Rome struggles with 
Science, an early library is vital to reach bronze working early. At the other hand, they excel in Culture due to its civilization bonus. Expanding early and constructing Urban Districts will significantly accelerate cultural progression.
Both mysticism and discipline are vital to get early before moving into your traditions. When you get your army commander, start clearing 
Independent Powers. A force of 2 warriors and one slinger is typically sufficient unless they have a large army. Acquiring early promotions help accelerate your power. The +5 Combat Strength commendation is another power spike. Furthermore, if you are diligent with promoting your commander, you can typically reach 6 levels more, gaining you two free Settlements from his ability. Although, if your conquest goes well, this bonus is often excessive.
By the time you unlock Bronze Working, most of your traditions should be in place. At this stage, you can mass-produce Legions supported by archers, setting the world ablaze. Due to their sheer power, you don't need a massive army, as a well-upgraded Legion force can steamroll opposition.
As of February 2025, my top leader recommendation for Rome is Lafayette. His bonus power from traditions synergizes perfectly with the Legion's strength, granting +12 Combat Strength at four traditions, nearly increasing a Tier 2 Legion's base Combat Strength by 50%. Additionally, his bonus Culture and Happiness accelerate the rush to four traditions and their Policy slots, complementing Rome's natural expansionist playstyle. Augustus is also a good choice if you are interested in a less militaristic focus.
Go forth and recreate the glory of Rome! Your only true obstacle will be the Settlement Limit.
Civilopedia entry[]
Rome’s history spans centuries; the most generous accounts place Rome's foundations in 753 BCE. The volume of material written by, on, and about Rome is staggering. Any brief attempt to capture the complexity of Roman history, its twists and turns, and its varied forms of government will be insufficient.
According to myth, Romulus and Remus were twin brothers – the descendants of Mars and the Trojan hero Aeneas – who were abandoned in the countryside and raised by a wolf. The children played with blocks of brick and stone just as present-day children might play with blocks of wood and plastic. In the process, they built a city. Also like present-day children, the brothers immediately fought over their work. After Remus was killed, the city was named Rome.
Historically, Rome likely began as a collection of outcasts and exiles from neighboring settlements which grew in size and ambition as they attracted people to their community (or abducted them, as in the case of the Sabines). The quasi-mythical Roman monarchy gave way to the decidedly historical Republic. The Republic worked thanks to its Senate. Senators were appointed by locally-elected officials (selected from the patrician class), and debated domestic policy while legislative assemblies of full citizens (a minority) debated foreign policy and other matters. Rome did not have a written constitution, but it had a set of unwritten norms and precedents.
For nearly five centuries, the system worked well. Depending on one’s status, Roman life could be luxurious or harsh. Slavery was common, especially on large agricultural estates or mines. The enslaved population was composed of war captives, individuals born into the practice, and those who sold themselves into the system to repay a debt. The question over who could become a full Roman citizen varied by region – citizenship was a far-off possibility for those living in areas conquered by Rome, while those in the Latin regions of Italy could more easily become a full member of the Republic.
The steady growth of Rome's military might was a common strain on Roman life. Early on, the military was centered around drafts from consuls – an early form of conscription. Later, Rome developed a professional army, one that granted a great deal of status to high-ranking members, which could be leverage for political power. Toward the end of the Empire, Rome increasingly relied on foreign troops, which could end in disaster when these troops were snubbed or went unpaid.
The power of the professional military signaled the end of the Republic. Slighted by political concerns, Julius Caesar moved up the military ranks. When the Senate seemed likely to hold him accountable, he marched that military straight into Rome. While Caesar did not declare himself “emperor,” his rise ended the Roman Republic and heralded the start of the Roman Empire. Still, the end of the democracy (such as it was) did not signal the end of peace; Caesar’s line fostered a period of stability until the mid-first century CE when rival claimants tore the Empire apart.
As emperors were routinely ousted by coups or assassinations, crisis loomed. During the calamitous third century, imperial assassination, plague, civil war, and economic collapse tore at the Empire. At one point, three empires vied for control – Gaul, Rome, and Palmyra (under Queen Zenobia) with 26 potential emperors (most of whom were from the military). The crisis ended the city of Rome's dominance. Managing the increasingly fractious empire became an issue, and rule was eventually partitioned between different groups as Constantine moved the eastern capital to Constantinople.
As Rome became increasingly poor and irrelevant in comparison to other cities, and with barbarians pushing on its borders, the West collapsed. A Germanic king took Ravenna (which had become the western capital) and ended the West by decree.
In the East, Rome endured, and it would continue for nearly a thousand more years. However, this later empire was different; it was Christian (though the Empire had been Christian since 395), Greek-speaking, and focused on Anatolia, the Near East, and Greece. Historians term this eastern empire “Byzantium,” even though they called themselves Romanoi (Roman). Byzantium fell to the Turks in 1453.
Later states sought the title of Rome as a source of validity. The German kingdoms used the title “Holy Roman Empire” through the modern period, and kings from Russia to Turkey to Germany used the title “Caesar,” while changing it slightly to Tsar, Kaiser, or Keyser. Modern capitals, such as Washington D.C. in the United States, used Roman iconography and architecture to create a fictive link with the past while calling their deliberative bodies a “Senate.” Has Rome ever truly fallen?
Cities[]
Citizens[]
| Males | Females |
|---|---|
| Acacius | Abelia |
| Aetius | Chloris |
| Brutus | Clotho |
| Caelinus | Eliana |
| Emidius | Gracilia |
| Flavius | Herta |
| Jovilius | Isidora |
| Manius | Laetitia |
| Sophus | Melita |
| Timaeus | Proserpina |
Age Transition Quotes[]
When age progress reaches 100% or player gets eliminated/retires, one of these quotes will be read depending on the last legacy path completed:
- Culture: "Rome's monuments would outlive those that built them. Yet their silhouettes lingered on the skyline, as testament to Roman will."
- Economic: "In their pursuit of fortune, Roman merchants were as well-traveled soldiers, creating a web of goods that crossed every inch of the world."
- Military: "The Roman Empire stretched across the land, yoking all those in its path under its banner. As long as there was sun to shine, none could escape its shadow."
- Science: "Great works of literature lay in splendor, their provenance no matter. Roman they became, and Roman they would remain, long after Rome was no more."
- Defeat: "In the end, those who came to be called Roman relinquished that name. Still, the fruits of their labor would seed the next age. Thus passed the glory of Rome."
Trivia[]
- The Roman civilization's symbol is a laurel wreath, a symbol of martial prowess given to victorious Roman generals in their triumph.
- The Roman civilization ability is named after the set of laws that described the rights and duties of the Roman citizen.
- The Roman background art depicts a busy street outside of the Colosseum.
Soundtrack[]
| Original Track | № | Based on | Credits | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Roman Empire (Antiquity Age)" | 16 | Composed by Roland Rizzo Performed by FILMharmonic Choir, Prague; Sandro Friedrich, Roland Rizzo, & Jared Denhard |
5:23 |
Gallery[]
.png "Roman city in-game (Civ7).png (6.92 MB)")
.png "Legion in-game (Civ7).png (982 KB)")
.png "Legatus in-game (Civ7).png (1.1 MB)")
.png "Forum in-game (Civ7).png (1.16 MB)")
.png "Colosseum in-game (Civ7).png (3.61 MB)")
.png "Roman Background (Civ7).png (1.84 MB)")
Videos[]
See also[]
- Roman in other games
External links[]
| Civilization VII Civilizations [edit] | |
|---|---|
| Antiquity | |
| Exploration | |
| Modern | |
| 1 Requires DLC | |