You will play through ancient history from 50,000 BCE to 362 CE. Your teacher controls the timeline and announces events. You track your civilization on paper and make decisions each turn.
🎮 Turn Structure
Phase 1: Teacher Announces Event
Listen carefully to your teacher read the current historical event. Write down the year and any effects on your civilization.
Phase 2: Growth Phase
1. Add fertility to your houses (up to capacity)
2. Update population (equals houses, or houses × 2 after 480 BCE)
3. Apply cultural stage bonus (choose your bonus)
4. Calculate new stats based on population and buildings
Phase 3: Action Phase
Spend industry points to build structures OR declare actions (war, alliances, found religion when unlocked)
Phase 4: Update Worksheet
Record all changes on your worksheet before the next turn
🏗️ Building Rules
You can build structures during the Action Phase by spending industry points:
Structure
Cost
Effect
Limit
Temple
10 industry
+2 faith
Unlimited
Amphitheater
10 industry
+3 culture, -1 faith
Unlimited
Wall
10 industry
+1 defense vs barbarians
Unlimited
Archimedes Tower
20 industry
+20 defense
Max 1 (requires 30 science)
Wonder
Varies
Special bonuses
Max 1 (announced by teacher)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You can only build if you have enough industry points LEFT this turn. Industry resets each turn!
⚔️ Combat System
Declaring War
• Wars unlock after teacher announces it (around 6,000 BCE)
• Declare war during Action Phase
• Combat is resolved immediately
Combat Resolution
1. Attacker uses their MARTIAL stat
2. Defender uses their DEFENSE stat
3. Higher number wins
4. Winner conquers loser (loser is eliminated)
Example:
Egypt attacks Greece
• Egypt martial: 25
• Greece defense: 18
→ Egypt wins! Greece is conquered and eliminated from the game.
Barbarian Attacks
• Announced by teacher during timeline events
• You must have defense ≥ DC or lose houses
• Walls give +1 defense each
• Archimedes Tower gives +20 defense
🤝 Alliances
Forming Alliances
• Declare alliances during Action Phase
• Both players must agree
• Tell your teacher to record the alliance
• No mechanical benefit, but protects from war
⚠️ Alliance Rule: You CANNOT declare war on allied civilizations. Break the alliance first (costs 1 turn).
✝️ Founding Religions
When Unlocked (announced by teacher)
1. Name your religion
2. Choose up to 5 tenants (religious beliefs)
3. Tell your teacher to record it
4. Gain +5 faith immediately
Tenant Category
Examples
Cosmology
Polytheistic, Monotheistic, Ancestor Worship
War Doctrine
Pacifist, Crusader, Defensive
Social Order
Hierarchical, Egalitarian, Meritocratic
Afterlife
Reincarnation, Heaven/Hell, Eternal Sleep
Sacred Text
Oral Tradition, Written Scripture, Living Prophet
🏆 Victory Conditions
Survival Victory
Reach the end of the timeline (362 CE) without being conquered
Domination Victory
Conquer all other civilizations (last one standing)
Cultural Victory
Have the highest culture + faith combined at game end
Score Victory
Teacher may assign points based on: population, culture, faith, science, buildings, and survival
❌ Losing the Game
You are ELIMINATED if:
• You are conquered in war
• Your houses reach 0
• Teacher rules catastrophic failure on saving throw
📝 Record-Keeping Rules
Required Updates Each Turn:
✅ Current year
✅ All stats (houses, population, fertility, industry, martial, defense, science, culture, faith)
✅ Cultural stage
✅ Buildings owned
✅ Brief event description in turn log
⚠️ Academic Integrity:
• Do NOT change past turns
• Do NOT lie about your stats
• Do NOT use calculator apps (mental math only)
• If you make an error, cross it out and correct it - don't erase
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I build multiple structures in one turn?
A: Yes, as long as you have enough industry points left!
Q: What if I forget to update my worksheet?
A: Ask your teacher immediately. Missing updates may result in penalties.
Q: Can I attack someone who just attacked me?
A: Yes, if you survived and it's now your turn to take actions.
Q: Do cultural stage bonuses stack?
A: No, you only have ONE cultural stage at a time.
Q: Can I trade with other civilizations?
A: Only if your teacher announces a trade event or allows trading.
Remember: When in doubt, ask your teacher!
This is a learning game - focus on understanding history, not just winning.