History of the Ancient Seas III: Mare Nostrum

History of the Ancient Seas III: Mare Nostrum – 2nd Edition is a standalone ancient Mediterranean strategy game from Sound of Drums and the third instalment in the History of the Ancient Seas series.

Players lead one of five great powers: Rome, Carthage, the Greek city states, Egypt, or Persia. Each empire must expand across the Mediterranean by building fleets and armies, opening trade routes, conquering islands and provinces, developing military and economic strength, and keeping its people wealthy, stable, and satisfied.

The game uses the highly interactive micro-impulse system familiar from the series. At the heart of play is an action cycle where players choose from a limited set of actions, and actions already chosen cannot immediately be repeated by the next player. This creates constant pressure and keeps every decision contested, whether you are preparing for war, developing your empire, negotiating, or racing to expand before your rivals do.

Mare Nostrum is designed around a five-power struggle, but the 2nd Edition also includes options for reduced player counts, including a 4-player rule, the “Archimedes” solitaire bot, and “The King is Dead” static empire rules. This makes it the largest and broadest entry in the series, covering the Mediterranean from the western coasts to Anatolia and from Gaul to the Nile Delta.

A strong choice for players who enjoy ancient-world strategy, empire building, trade competition, asymmetric powers, and tense multiplayer conflict where war and diplomacy are both viable paths.

Publisher: Sound of Drums GmbH
Series: History of the Ancient Seas
Players: 3–5, with reduced-player and solitaire options in the 2nd Edition
Playing time: 180 minutes+
Age: 14+
Complexity: Medium
Product Type: Standalone strategy board game

Boardgamegeneral Advice

History of the Ancient Seas III: Mare Nostrum is an outstanding choice for players who enjoy deep civilization-building games with strong player interaction and epic scope. As the grand finale of Sound of Drums’ acclaimed trilogy, it combines empire-building, diplomacy, trade, and warfare in a beautifully produced package with excellent solo support. Ideal for experienced strategy gamers looking for a long, immersive historical experience that shines with 3–5 players.