# Antiquity

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2004
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: #445
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 120-180 min
- **Weight**: 4.32 / 5
- **Designers**: Jeroen Doumen, Joris Wiersinga
- **Artists**: Ynze Moedt
- **Publishers**: Splotter Spellen
- **Categories**: City Building, Civilization, Economic, Environmental, Medieval
- **Mechanics**: Grid Coverage, Hexagon Grid, Modular Board, Square Grid, Tile Placement, Trading

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love heavy Eurogames focused on civilization and resource management. The land degradation system is brilliant and creates constant tension.Deep and varied victory strategiesInnovative resource depletion mechanicHigh replayability due to distinct pathsComponents that provide a sense of progressionVery steep learning curveQuite long play sessionsRequires translations for better flowFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Imagine Italy in the late Middle Ages, where ambition and scarcity walk hand in hand. In Antiquity, you take control of a growing civilization, but you face a serious problem: the land wears out. What starts as lush forests and fertile fields quickly becomes depleted and polluted soil, forcing you to expand your domains further and further to gather the raw materials needed to survive. It is a race against time and nature.

The game's great charm lies in its strategic freedom. You aren't locked into a single path to victory. By choosing your patron saint, you define your focus: do you want to focus on population growth, dominate trade routes, conquer neighboring territories, or erect the most imposing cities in the region? Each choice completely changes how you play and how you interact with your opponents. There's even the challenge of Santa Maria: she is the most powerful, but she requires you to build something twice as impressive as any other player to win. It's for those who enjoy playing on 'hard mode'.

While your economy evolves and new options emerge each turn, the pressure mounts. Space management and transport logistics become crucial, as journeys grow longer and resources become rarer. Can you balance technological progress with environmental degradation, or will your civilization collapse before achieving glory? With considerable strategic weight, Antiquity is a game of endurance, where efficiency in tile placement and negotiation skills can be the difference between hegemony and historical irrelevance.

## FAQ
### Is the game very complex?
Yes, it's an 'Expert' game. With a BGG weight of 4.32, it requires significant planning and a careful reading of the rules.

### How long does a game take?
Be prepared to spend between 2 and 3 hours. It's an endurance game, especially with 4 players.

### Do I need translations to play?
Yes, there is moderate language dependence. Having translated cards or a spreadsheet helps a lot with the flow.

### What is the main difference between the saints?
Each saint changes your victory condition and playstyle, allowing you to focus on trade, war, population, or building.

### Who do you recommend this game for?
For groups that enjoy dense strategy games, resource management, and don't mind long play sessions.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
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