The best games set in the ancient times 🏛 2026
Looking for a really good game that takes place during the ancient times 🏛? Then we have just the thing: our list of the best games that play during the ancient times 2026.
What are games set during the ancient times?
Ancient games often have themes or storylines set in the ancient world, between 3000 BC (the beginning of the Egyptian dynasties) and 476 AD (the fall of the Western Roman Empire). Some of the themes and images that appear in the most popular games of the ancient world concern the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations.
List of the best games set during the ancient times 2026 🏛
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7 Wonders Duel
All details & rating7 Wonders Duel takes the essence of the classic 7 Wonders and refines it for an intense two-player experience. It retains the thematic elements of building a civilization through acquiring various types of cards, but it introduces unique mechanics suited for a duel.
2 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price23 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Santorini
All details & ratingSantorini is a beautifully re-imagined strategy game that combines abstract elements with accessible gameplay, suitable for a wide range of players.
2–4 20 min 8+ Easy to learn -
7 Wonders: Architects
All details & rating7 Wonders: Architects invites 2-7 players into a fast-paced race to leave a lasting legacy in the ancient world by constructing an architectural marvel. Each player starts with an unconstructed wonder and embarks on a journey to gather resources, develop their society, and achieve greatness.
2–7 25 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 1 € above the best price39 € at Amazon* -
Battle Line
All details & ratingBattle Line is a strategic card game that pits two opponents against each other with the aim of capturing flags by creating powerful formations.
2 30 min 12+ Easy to learn -
7 Wonders -
2nd Edition
All details & rating7 Wonders (Second Edition) is an acclaimed board game known for its widespread recognition and numerous international awards. This new version rejuvenates the classic 7 Wonders game, maintaining its status as a cornerstone in the world of modern board gaming. The game is celebrated for its elegant drafting mechanics, allowing up to 7 players to participate simultaneously without downtime.
3–7 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 4 € above the best price42 € at Amazon* -
Dice Forge
All details & ratingEmbark on a heroic journey in Dice Forge, where the gods extend an invitation to heaven for the hero who can conquer their rivals. Your courage and wit will be crucial as you harness divine dice to collect resources on the path to victory.
2–4 45 min 10+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
World Wonders
All details & ratingPlayers take on the role of great rulers from the past to build their own ancient city. Each round, players invest gold to construct tiles that enhance their city’s economy. There are five building types that yield resources, helping the city grow, while monuments and wonder tiles provide victory points but require all your gold. Once a player reaches the maximum population, they are declared the winner of the game.
1–5 50–70 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Imhotep
All details & ratingImhotep invites players into the ancient world of Egypt, where they compete as builders trying to leave their mark on history by constructing notable monuments.
2–4 40 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Luxor - Forgotten Treasures
All details & ratingIn Luxor, players embark on an adventurous quest through the legendary temple of Luxor in search of treasures and the ultimate prize: the tomb of the pharaoh. This game stands out for its ever-changing path to the tomb, ensuring a unique experience in each playthrough.
2–4 45 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Shifting Stones
All details & ratingNine mystical stones are arranged in a grid of rocky ruins. Players must position the stones to match one or more patterns in their hand, sacrificing a card each time they swap or flip a tile. Score the most points to secure your victory!
1–5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age
All details & ratingRoll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age is a captivating dice game that immerses players in the task of building and advancing their civilizations. This game combines elements of luck, strategy, and resource management, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy civilization-building themes.
1–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Babylonia
All details & ratingThe Neo-Babylonian Empire, especially under Nebuchadnezzar II, marked a time of revival for Southern Mesopotamia. Players aim to lead their clan to prosperity during this period of peace and imperial power by strategically placing noble, priest, and craftsman tiles on the board to optimize relationships with cities. Proper placement can also grant special powers from certain rulers, while wisely utilizing farmers in fertile areas will enhance crop value. The player with the most points from these actions wins.
2–4 60 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Mummy's Treasure
All details & ratingEach player has an excavation site that resembles an Egyptian archaeological site. Stacks of treasure tiles are set up between players, sorted by size and shape, with each tile containing different amounts of treasures. Players roll five treasure dice covered in various types of Egyptian artifacts, aiming to collect tiles that match their rolls. They can re-roll their dice up to three times to achieve a specific configuration. The first player to completely cover their excavation site with treasure tiles wins the game. A simpler version allows players to move their tiles after placement, making it easier for children.
2–4 10 min 5+ Immediately playable -
Tides of Time
All details & ratingImagine a world where ancient civilizations rise and fall as epochs pass. In Tides of Time, two players embark on a strategic journey through time, where they take on the roles of cunning rulers guiding their civilizations to glory. The game unfolds over three rounds, during which players must carefully draft cards from their hands to construct magnificent kingdoms, all while striving to meet specific scoring objectives. As the ages progress, the choices made by each ruler will determine the course of history. Here's a closer look at the gameplay and special features:
2 20 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Inis
All details & ratingInis invites players to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Celtic history and lore, vying for the esteemed title of King of the Island. Rooted in strategic depth and Celtic mythology, the game offers a unique blend of victory conditions and gameplay dynamics.
2–4 60–90 min 14+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 2 -
Keltis: Fun & Go
All details & ratingPlayers engage with a travel version of Keltis that combines familiar rules with a Push-Your-Luck element. Each round, they flip a stone tile and must decide whether to continue a path or leave it as is. They can also choose to take a previously flipped tile, aiming to maximize their points while remembering to collect wish stones to avoid penalties.
2–4 15 min 7+ Immediately playable -
Thebes
All details & ratingThebes is a board game focused on competitive archaeology, where players assume the roles of archaeologists exploring historical sites across Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. The game combines strategy, time management, and a bit of luck, making it an engaging experience for players interested in history and exploration.
2–4 60 min 8+ Easy to learn
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
7 Wonders Duel (À la carte 2016 card game award Winner) currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 2 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 5 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 30 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
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