The best games set in the ancient times 🏛 2025

7 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.

Santorini is a beautifully re-imagined strategy game that combines abstract elements with accessible gameplay, suitable for a wide range of players.

Akropolis is a strategic board game set in ancient Greece, where players take on the roles of skilled architects competing to build the most prestigious city. The game focuses on urban planning, resource management, and tactical tile placement.

7 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.

Battle Line is a strategic card game that pits two opponents against each other with the aim of capturing flags by creating powerful formations.

In 7 Wonders, you step into the role of a leader of one of the seven great cities of the Ancient World. Your objective is to gather resources, establish commercial routes, and assert your military might. The game is not just about managing resources but also about building an architectural wonder that will stand the test of time.

7 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.

Ra is an engaging board game that combines elements of auction and set-collection within an Ancient Egyptian theme. Players are immersed in a competition of power and fame across 1500 years of Egyptian history, condensed into an intense gaming experience.

Concordia is a peaceful yet strategic board game set in Roman times, focusing on economic development and expansion. It is designed for 2-5 players aged 13 and up.

Embark 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.

Concordia Venus is a standalone reimplementation of the classic Concordia, enhancing the peaceful strategy game set in Roman times. It's designed for 2-6 players aged 13 and up, focusing on economic development without the randomness of dice or cards. Strategy and planning are key as players expand their influence across various Roman cities.

The Downfall of Pompeii is a thematic and tactical board game that transports players to the ancient city of Pompeii, just before and during its catastrophic destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The game combines strategic planning with an element of luck, as players attempt to save as many of their pieces as possible from the disaster.

Players take on the role of members of Julius Caesar's entourage, tasked with expanding the borders of his empire by building roads. The objective is to connect Rome with new cities across the world, gaining points each time a road is built or a new city is reached. The game ends when all cities on the board have been connected, and the player with the most points wins after tallying their city and treasure tiles.

Imhotep invites players into the ancient world of Egypt, where they compete as builders trying to leave their mark on history by constructing notable monuments.

Commands & Colors: Ancients is a historical wargame that spans a vast period from the Dawn of Military History to the onset of the Dark Ages. This game, part of the acclaimed Commands & Colors system, offers players a unique opportunity to reenact famous battles with a focus on historical accuracy and strategic depth, all while maintaining streamlined gameplay.

In 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.

Risiko Express is a fast-paced conquest game where players face off to capture territories represented by disks. Each disk displays the countries and required symbols for conquest, categorized into battle lines. Players roll dice to conquer these lines, aiming to secure points by claiming cards, with additional bonuses for controlling entire continents. When the last card is claimed, players tally their points to determine the winner.

Ave Caesar is a race game set in ancient Rome, where players maneuver chariots around the Circus Maximus using cards. The track design includes challenging elements like bottlenecks and lane restrictions, reminiscent of modern racing games like Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix and Daytona 500. Players must complete three laps and make a strategic stop to 'Hail Caesar' before crossing the finish line. The game balances light strategy with the need for careful planning, especially when navigating corners.

Pandemic: Fall of Rome is a unique cooperative board game that blends the classic gameplay of Pandemic with the historical setting of the Roman Empire's decline. In this game, players work together as citizens, soldiers, and allies of Rome, tasked with defending the empire against various barbarian tribes like the Anglo-Saxons, Goths, Vandals, and Huns. The game requires players to strategically recruit armies, fortify cities, and forge alliances to halt the onslaught of invaders.

Inis 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.

Archaeology: The Card Game immerses players in the thrilling world of Egyptian archaeology, where discovering ancient artifacts is the key to fame and fortune. Each player assumes the role of an archaeologist excavating sites in the Egyptian desert, aiming to uncover valuable treasures and sell them to the museum for profit.

Roll 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.

Nine 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!

The 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.

Rise of Augustus (also known simply as Augustus) is a tactical board game where players take on the role of powerful leaders during the era of Augustus Caesar, competing to complete various objectives for power and victory points. The game combines elements of strategic planning and luck, with a unique mechanism involving the drawing of symbols and the placement of legionnaire meeples.

In Carpe Diem, players step into the roles of wealthy patricians in ancient Rome, striving to build prosperous city districts and accumulate prestigious points. Designed by the accomplished game designer Stefan Feld, this board game offers a unique and engaging gaming experience.

During the reign of Emperor Yao, the people of ancient China were plagued by deadly floods along the Yellow River. After numerous failures in flood control, Yu, inheriting his father's work, set out to build a series of channels to divert the swelling river. Players step into the role of Yu the Great in a fully resettable, non-linear solo campaign, aiming to construct the channels while defending their growing village against neighboring barbarian tribes.

Thebes 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.

Atlantis Rising (Second Edition) is a beautifully reimagined version of the beloved cooperative worker placement game where players unite to save the mythical island of Atlantis from inevitable doom. As leaders of Atlantis, players collaborate to gather resources, manage the workforce, and construct a cosmic gate capable of saving the Atlantean populace from the rising tides. The game challenges players with a blend of strategic planning, resource management, and a pressing urgency to complete the gate before the island succumbs to the ocean.

A temple dedicated to Sobek is under construction, accompanied by a bustling market supplied by boats on the Nile. Players act as rival traders, collecting and selling goods while trying to outmaneuver each other to earn victory points. Timing is crucial, as players must strategically analyze their moves and the choices they leave for their opponent to secure the win.