Civilizations

Civilizations (sometimes called factions) are representations of ancient civilizations. They each have a look of their own, and unique characteristics, though they share the same basic buildings and have many similar units.

The first edition of 0 A.D. will allow the player to control any of fourteen ancient civilizations from the pre-common era. Each culture will be represented at the peak of its civilization, somewhere along the timeline of 500 B.C. to 1 B.C.

Playable Civilizations

Athenians

The Athenians represent the City-State of Athens and the allies influenced by them. As the forebearers of Athenian democracy and philosophy, they are least war driven of all the Hellenistic factions - although the combination of their economic and military potential makes them very formidable with a selection of units.

Main article: Athenians

Britons

The Britons represent the celtic tribes of the British Isles around or before the times of Roman conquest. They are similar to the Gauls, but have slightly divergent specialty. Their special units include Chariots, powerful heavy infantry, long swordsmen and war dogs, which can be useful for not only hunting, but also in combat.

Main article: Britons

Carthaginians

The Carthaginians, or Punics, were an ancient civilization centered on the Phoenician city-state of Carthage, located outside what is now Tunis, Tunisia. After gaining independence from Tyre, Carthage soon became a formidable force in the western Mediterranean, eventually taking over much of North Africa and modern-day Spain and becoming an economic powerhouse.

Main article: Carthaginians

Gauls

The Gauls represent the Celtic tribes of Continental Western Europe which currently encompasses most of modern day France during the times before the Roman conquest. They are similar to the Britons, but have slightly divergent specialty focused more heavy shock tactics. Their special units include heavy cavalry, heavy infantry and a special rotary mill that can improve farm production.

Main article: Gauls

Han

This faction represents the Han dynasty of China (206 BC - AD 220). This faction has access to both infantry and cavalry crossbowmen, and like the Persians and Indians, it has a +10% population cap bonus for massive armies. They also start a standard match with 1 Minister, a unique unit that boosts the efficiency of buildings and units, and have access to the Imperial Court building, which trains additional Ministers.

Fun fact: the Han were born as the starting civilization of the Rise of the East mod (then evolved in Terra Magna) and then included in Delenda Est, before being integrated in the official game.

Main article: Han

Iberians

The Iberians were fathers of the art of guerrilla warfare, capable of lightning strikes against an opponent and withdrawing before he can mass an offensive. Their foot units are some of the fastest and most rapid-firing in the game, particularly their Balearic Slingers. A number of their ranged units also have the unique ability to fire flaming missiles. Toledo steel grants them superior metal weaponry.

Main article: Iberians

Kushites

The Kushite civilization is situated in modern Sudan, and starts any standard game with an additional healer. They have access to pyramids, which improve their City Center influence, and the Great Temple of Amon, which grants new units and technologies, and can also recruit elephants, siege towers and even Nuba mercenaries.

Main article: Kushites

Macedonians

The Macedonians are a Greek faction originating from northeastern Greece around the Haliacmon valley; over time they came to expand and dominate Thrace and Illyria, and then under Alexander the Great went on conquer much of the known world traveling as far as India before dying of fever and forever cementing the influence of Greek culture throughout the contemporary known world. Perhaps one of the best known conquerors of nations, Alexander's legacy remained around for some time even under new kingdoms headed by his former generals. With a wide selection of units and siege engines, Macedonians are well suited to creative tactics and strategy - especially combined arms.

Main article: Macedonians

Mauryas

This faction represents the Maurya Empire in India. While they have no siege units, they do have access to three different elephant units including the Worker Elephant, a mobile dropsite that can also repair buildings.

Main article: Mauryas

Persians

Cosmopolitan to the core, the Persian Empire levied a wide variety of troops from their vassal satrapies. Though their infantry were weak and poorly equipped, they could be massed in vast numbers. Their cavalry was strong and exotic yet expensive, and included the fearsome cavalry archer, camelry, mahout elephants, and scythed chariots. They were known for their lavish wealth, grand architecture and strong trade empire through the Silk Road.

Main article: Persians

Ptolemies

The Ptolemaic Kingdom was a Hellenistic kingdom in Egypt. It was ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty founded by Ptolemy I Soter after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, and ended with the death of Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest in 30 BC.

Main article: Ptolemies

Romans (Republican)

This faction represents the Republican counterpart of the Roman civilization. Rising from a group of villages to controlling an empire stretching from southern Scotland to the Sahara Desert, Rome remained one of the strongest nations on earth for almost 800 years, controlling over 60 million inhabitants, one quarter of the Earth's population at that time. The Romans controlled one of the largest empires in the ancient world, and were notable for their regimented military, powerful siege engines, broad range of naval vessels, politics, and adaptation to change.

Main article: Romans (Republican)

Seleucids

The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic state ruled by the Seleucid dynasty founded by Seleucus I Nicator following the division of the Macedonian empire following the death of Alexander the Great. Seleucus received Babylonia and, from there, expanded his dominions to include much of Alexander's near eastern territories. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Kuwait, Persia, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and northwest parts of India.

Main article: Seleucids

Spartans

Sparta is a Greek city-state that possess very strong melee infantry. Notably they cannot build Stone Walls, only palisade walls - the soldiers of Sparta will need to serve as their walls. Their favourite units is the Spartiate, a Champion spear unit and a very strong hoplite.

Main article: Spartans

Atlas Only Civilizations

The following civilizations are only available in scenarios as Atlas only civilizations.

Celts

Main article: Celts

Originally included as playable civilizations, the Celts represented a generic Celtic faction. In Alpha 11, they were split into the less generic Britons and Gauls.

The Hellenic States

Main article: Hellenes

Originally included as playable civilizations, the Hellenes represented a generic Greek city-state. In Alpha 10, they were split into the less generic Athenians, Macedonians, and Spartans.

Mod Civilizations

The following civilizations are only available in various mods of the game. Each section is named after the mod itself, and includes various sub-sections about the containing civilizations.

Terra Magna (formerly Rise of the East)

This mod was absorbed in the Delenda Est mod, and included Chinese, Xiongnu and Zapotecs.

Millennium A.D.

Anglo-Saxons

Main article: Anglo-Saxons

Byzantines

Main article: Byzantines

Franks

Main article: Franks

Norse

Main article: Norse

Rus'

Main article: Norse

Aristeia

Archaic Hellenes

Main article: Archaic Hellenes

Divided Kingdom Judahites

Main article: Judahites

New Empire Assyrians

Main article: New Empire Assyrians

Saite Period Egyptians

Main article: Saite Period Egyptians

Delenda Est

Epirotes

Despite being relevant only in their war against Rome, the Epirotes are still a strong land civilization that has a broad roster of units to choose from, including heavy cavalry, pike infantry and even elephants. As an Hellenic civilizatio, they start each standard match with a free Stoa building (+20% health for all biuldings) and a Greek Theater (greater territory influence).

Main article: Epirotes

Romans (Principate)

The Imperial Romans represent Rome after the rise of Octavian Augustus as its first Emperor/Princeps. This faction has a strong army, divided between Legions and Auxiliary (thus, instead of Melee and Ranged Infantry barracks, they can build Legion and Auxiliary Barracks). Like their Republican counterpart, the Imperials can build Army Camps, Siege Walls and the Temple of Vesta, but they can also build the Triumphal Arch, which boosts their soldiers; they effectively start a Standard match with a Temple of Vesta, thus they have to progress through City Phases like every other faction in the standard unmodded game.

Main article: Romans (Imperial)

Scythians

The Scythians are a nomadic faction with cheap, weak buildings that can be packed and moved anywhere in the map; they cost -50% resources and build time compared to the more civilized factions, but are also half as resistant. They have limited infantry, and no fleet except fishing and marchant ships, but they do have a great roster of light and heavy cavalry units. They have raiding and looting bonuses, and are excellent herders and hunters.

Main article: Scythians

Suebian Germans

The Germans, here represented by the Suebians, start the game with a Resouce Wagon, a mobile dropsite for all resources. Being a Barbarian civilization like the Celtic factions of Gauls and Britons, they have poor siege abilities, but also an half-decent selection of warships.

Main article: Germans

Thebans

This additional Greek city-state is a strong land power. It has access to the "Fire Raiser" siege weapon, and, as an Hellenic civilization, has access to phalanx formations with hoplites and starts each standard match witha free Stoa building (+20% health for all buildings) and a Greek Theater (greater territory influence), but also 1 extra hoplite.

Main article: Thebans

Xiongnu

Like the Scythians, the Xiongnu are a nomadic faction with cheap, weak buildings that can be packed and moved anywhere in the map. Their Women are capable hunters and part-time archers, and their Men are strong traders and looters and full-time warriors. Like the Scythians, there is no war fleet, so they can only build fishing rafts and merchant ships. They start each Skirmish map with a free Yurt, which increases the starting population limit, a free Wagon, which is a mobile dropsite, and a Warlord, a powerful champion unit.

Main article: Xiongnu

Zapotecs

The Zapotec civilization was an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxara in Mesoamerica. They have no access to any cavalry unit, nor any warship, but this is also compensated by a wide selection of infantry units. They can also build a Corn Field, which allows to grow vegetables for Food, and a Kakay, or Cocoa Field (their Cash Crop Field), which allows to harvest cocoa beans for coins.

Main article: Zapotecs

Hyrule Conquest

Kingdom of Hyrule

Main article: Kingdom of Hyrule

Gerudo

Main article: Gerudo

Gorons

Main article: Gorons

Zora Dominion

Main article: Zora Dominion

Kokiri

Main article: Kokiri

Gohma

Main article: Gohma

Ordona Province

Main article: Ordona Province

Lanayru Province

Main article: Lanayru Province

Moblins

Main article: Moblins

Darknut Legion

Main article: Darknut Legion

Deku Scrubs

Main article: Deku Scrubs

Lizalfos

Main article: Lizalfos

Kingdom of Labrynna

Main article: Kingdom of Labrynna

Fairies of Tarm

Main article: Fairies of Tarm

Sheikah Cadre

Main article: Sheikah Cadre

Stalfos

Main article: Stalfos