Æterna

Æterna is a historical strategy game about the rise of a Roman gens across three distinct eras: the Kingdom, the Republic, and the Empire. Players place citizens, develop the seven hills, contribute to monuments and buildings, support provincial conquest, and turn political influence into lasting prestige. Cards supply actions and long-term direction, while wheat, aurei, stone, and citizen placement create a tightly connected economy. Control is never purely territorial. A family that expands too aggressively may inherit unrest, and unhappy citizens can erode the prestige generated by an otherwise impressive district. Each era changes the available opportunities and pushes Rome toward a new political order, so plans must work now while preparing for the next transition. Area influence creates visible competition on the main board, worker placement makes timing important, and hand management preserves tactical flexibility. Martin Wallace's design rewards players who can build a coherent family engine without losing sight of public order or the rivals contesting the same hills.