Rule like a Roman

James Osborne meets the makers of a new game that offers you the chance to govern a conquered settlement at the height of Rome's power

- James Osborne

At its height in AD 117, the Roman empire stretched from the sun-baked sands of Egypt to the wind-lashed shores of Britannia. It was the scope and scale of the empire that posed such complex choices to those who led it, and it's those challenges that Anno 117: Pax Romana, Ubisoft's new city-builder, seeks to capture.

“The death of Emperor Trajan [shown below right] in AD 117 marked a moment of stability, relative peace and prosperity,” historian Thierry Noël tells us, explaining why this specific year was chosen for the game. He worked closely on the project, researching and consulting to find a balance between entertainment and authenticity. “The empire was consolidating its hold on conquered territories, and the process of Romanisation was accelerating.” That period of consolidation makes for a fascinating canvas.

The latest entry in Ubisoft Mainz's long-running strategy series allows you to step into the boots of a Roman governor, overseeing trade, production and expansion, shaping the infrastructure and identity of your settlements. Yet from the outset,