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Basics - Romans
By Ryan
Hello, this is a quick video guide of what to expect if you are to pick the Romans as your Civilization.
   
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Created by
Ryan
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Category: Characters, Classes, Gameplay Basics, Multiplayer, Walkthroughs
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
3 May, 2013 @ 5:44pm
9 Jul, 2013 @ 2:37pm
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Guide Index
Overview
Video of how to play the Romans. 
Victory Conditions 
Social Policies 
Factoids 
Other Basics Guides 
Cont. 
Cont. 
Cont. 
Brave New World Basic Guides 
Comments
Video of how to play the Romans.
This will tell you what to expect out of the special units, what to expect out of the playstyle, and what victory conditions to expect to dominate with.

Victory Conditions
Hello, if you really didn't want to watch the video I'll give a quick rundown of what you probably should be thinking if you are randomly paired up with the Romans or are just new to Civilization and think they would be fun to play.


Victory Conditions

  • Domination
    By far Rome's top strategy is Domination because of their unique Civilization trait. Considering they are able to expand quickly and effeciently they are a force to always be reckoned with. With expansion comes many things, and usually, those things are armies. Armies equates to conquering. Rome has tons of fantastic early game units - Legionare building roads for fast travel to the enemy and helps Balistas get to the enemy quicker. Highly recommended.

  • Science
    A vast empire with that unique trait you are given allows you to build Libraries, Universities, and other science achieving buildings like no other. Another very good option if you are shy to "borrowing" other peoples lands. Highly recommended.

  • Diplomatic
    Something that is viable is Diplomatic Victory as Rome. It's not something that sticks out as something that should be strived for, but has a fair chance compared to many other Civilizations. You'll need to be friendly though, so make sure you watch where you are expanding rapidly to. Somewhat recommended.

  • Cultural
    Probably one of the weakest points of Rome is a Cultural Victory specifically because its the complete opposite of what the leaders trait is. Rapid expansion and high culture doesn't quite mix together well in Civilization V. As always, anything is possible, but this will be a struggle to win in a harder difficulty with other Civilizations that have better advantages. Not recommended.
Social Policies
Won't get into as depth as the Victory Conditions only because Social Policies can usually go anyway for any Civ and still win. Will only note those that are very important to each Civ.
  • Liberty
    Pair liberty up with the Romans unique trait and you have a recipe for domination. You will be able to dot the map up with your cities easily. Just remember to stay near luxury resources to keep the happiness going. Generally, I'd recommend Liberty the first policy track to go towards any Civilization but the Romans are really important to have this. Remember, all the Social Policies are more situational than anything else so if you want to start your bloodthirsty ways by all means start with Honor. Liberty is extremly recommended though!
The rest are really up to you on how you're playstyle will be for policies, Tradition for hunkering down with few cities - Honor for cutting down enemies early on - Liberty for expanding like a mad-man but again, that goes for any Civ, not just the Romans.
Factoids
  • Asparagus was a highly prized delicacy in Ancient Rome and was kept frozen in the Alps for feasts and festivals.

  • According to Roman historian Suetonius, it was rumoured that one consul and coregent of Rome was a horse - Emperor Caligula's favourite, Incitatus.

  • The first volume of recipes was published in 62 A.D. by the Roman Apicius.

  • Rome is known as the "Eternal city" and also "Caput Mundi", coming from Latin and meaning capital of the world.

  • The ancient Romans had celebrity chefs, ate beefburgers, and took food home in doggy-bags.

  • The first welfare benefits system was an integral part of ancient Roman culture. In 58 B.C. the state introduced a law making available to Roman citizens a monthly quota of free grain, upon which the poorer classes became highly dependent.

  • The tradition of the groom carrying his bride over the home’s threshold originated from ancient roman weddings.
20 Comments
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Communist Dog 21 Mar, 2016 @ 4:22am 
Factoid is not the same thing as fact
Ryan  [author] 2 Oct, 2013 @ 12:15pm 
Well, I always do recommend starting the game with a general idea of what your looking to win with. Starting games where you just fly by the seat of your pants and wait for something big to happen in a certain Victory condition is suited best for newer players as the harder difficulties give no mercy for petty mistakes. "Focusing", as you mentioned, is usually what makes you into a better Civilization player. Starting a game, making a plan to go for Domination/Cultural/etc. Victory will let you carve your Civilization towards that goal and usually results in a Victory. Of course, there are scenarios where something happens and you must divert to another Victory condition at times.

Great input though, although I believe Rome is one of the easiest Civilizations to play.
mss73055 2 Oct, 2013 @ 12:36am 
I deem Rome a hard civ to play as it pushes you into a tunnel from the start. If you got no iron in your home town do yourself a favour and restart the game.

As for Rome cultural: Rome is very capable as its UA and the reduction from Aestetics stack. Just military and culture are 2 opposite approaches. "Focusing" on both gets you nowhere. Tunnel tunnel tunnel.
Ryan  [author] 14 Jun, 2013 @ 4:00pm 
It is intended for new players, yes, but I do mention about how Tradition is meant for small, tall empires, honor is meant for those seeking conquest through barbarians. There is no need to have a hefty explination about that for each individual Civilization otherwise people would be reading for days and it would lead into a more advanced guide. I am avoiding this because I want the new players to understand what is best suited for that particular Civilization rather than every situation possible. Liberty for the Romans is something that is key - outside of situational events that you proposed - the rapid expansion is necessary paired up with his personality trait. So, I believe I gave them that good advice. Anyhow, thanks for checking out the guide and the feedback! Always enjoy it!
aunthemod 14 Jun, 2013 @ 12:55pm 
If you agree 9 times out of 10 you ought to add it to your guide. Liberty is the best option probably LESS than 90% of the time. For example if you start near lots of floodplains Tradition is better, and if you're on the largest continent or have extra player or raging barbarians, honor is better. I'm not going to make my own guide, but if your intention here is to help n00bs you owe them this good advice.
Ryan  [author] 9 Jun, 2013 @ 3:28pm 
Wasn't talking to you - the one I responded to had deleted his silly comment.

Anyhow, relating back to yours - Commerce tree something that should always be thought about though, I agree. All depends where you stand once you get to that point too, but 9 times out of 10 I'll say you'll want to choose that. Suppose the whole Hospital thing confused me as well but I do understand the necessity to have the high populated cities grow even further to expand production/specialists/etc. Thanks for all the feedback by the way!
aunthemod 9 Jun, 2013 @ 8:46am 
The Late Renessance and on, in Rome and your other high pop cities.
Ryan  [author] 7 Jun, 2013 @ 9:56am 
When and where?
aunthemod 23 May, 2013 @ 1:22pm 
You don't have to complete Commerce, and the 3 social policies that lead into the cheaper buys are all good, unsituationally. Furthermore since youll be buying all your buildings in Rome, it can handle a few trading posts. Also since you advice domination, then it becomes even easier to make money buy just leaving your conquered cities puppeted, or annex them and put them on gold focus. This strategy is so essential in the Idustrial/Modern era when the majority of your tall cities will have all the buildings they need, and will want to build factories/hospitals/stadiums/etc AS SOON as you research them. If you don't push 3 commerce and rush bigben, you are going to lose a lot of potential savings when you buy these buildings in Rome. And not buying them in rome when all your tall cities are already building them is sooooo foolish. I do not consider this a situational strategy, even on quick. On quick getting a hospital in all your big cities a turn sooner is a huge swing.
Ryan  [author] 23 May, 2013 @ 2:00am 
I do also understand that Commerce will make you a "millionaire" as I claimed it difficult to do. I've always felt if you do not have majority coastal cities you are missing the point of that Social Policy considering that's what it is aimed at. Again, that's not always true as there are exceptions with everything in Civilization. Oh, and thanks for the feedback!