Starting your journey as a Roman governor in Anno 117: Pax Romana can feel overwhelming, but the campaign mode serves as your perfect introduction to ruling an empire. You'll guide either Marcus or Marcia through political intrigue, city planning, and resource management while building the magnificent city of Juliana from volcanic ruins.
Which Character Should You Choose?
Your first major decision shapes your entire campaign experience. Both protagonists offer unique perspectives on Roman governance, though their gameplay mechanics remain identical.
Marcus Naukratius represents the reluctant noble thrust into power. As the ninth son of Decimus, he brings a gentle approach to leadership but lacks confidence in his abilities. His storyline focuses on proving himself worthy of imperial trust.
Marcia Tertia offers a more compelling narrative arc. Forced into an arranged marriage with an absent governor, she must navigate the complexities of ruling while maintaining the facade of her husband's presence. Her story explores themes of female agency within Roman society.
Tip
Choose Marcia for a more engaging narrative experience, as her unique position creates additional story tension and character development opportunities.
Building Your First Settlement: Juliana Rises
The campaign begins on the ruins of Ambrosia, destroyed by the volcano Old Occasus. Your task involves transforming this devastated landscape into the thriving city of Juliana, named after Emperor Lucius's beloved wife.
Essential Starting Buildings
Your initial construction priority should focus on these core structures:
Start with 10 housing units arranged in a grid pattern, leaving space in the center for markets and public services. This layout maximizes the effectiveness of area-effect buildings you'll construct later.
Understanding Population Tiers
Anno 117's population system revolves around three distinct social classes, each with specific needs and benefits:
Liberti (freed people) form your basic workforce. They require simple food like sardines and porridge, basic clothing, and public services. Meeting their needs allows upgrades to higher tiers.
Plebeians demand more sophisticated goods including tunics, garum (fermented fish sauce), and access to taverns. They generate higher income and unlock advanced production chains.
Patricians represent the elite class with luxury demands. They require wine, jewelry, and amphitheaters but provide substantial tax revenue and prestige.
Important
Never upgrade all your Liberti simultaneously. Maintain a balanced workforce across all tiers to support your production chains effectively.
Mastering Resource Management
The campaign teaches resource management through carefully paced challenges. Understanding production chains becomes crucial as your settlement expands beyond basic survival.
Critical Production Chains
Food Production starts simple but grows complex:
- Sardines: Direct fishing from coastal waters
- Porridge: Requires grain farms and processing mills
- Garum: Combines fish with salt and herbs for Plebeian consumption
Textile Production follows this progression:
- Hemp farms provide raw materials
- Spinners create basic thread
- Tailors produce tunics for your citizens
Each production building affects nearby structures through area effects. Markets boost income for surrounding residences, while taverns increase happiness and population capacity.
Navigating Political Challenges
The campaign's second act introduces Calidus, a military commander who seizes power and exiles you to Albion. This dramatic shift tests your adaptability as a governor.
The Albion Challenge
Your exile to the Celtic province of Albion presents unique opportunities disguised as punishment. Here you'll encounter:
Celtic Traditions vs. Roman Customs: You can choose to preserve local Celtic practices or enforce Roman standardization. Each path offers different bonuses and unlocks distinct building types.
Harsh Environment: Albion's marshlands and unpredictable weather require different agricultural approaches compared to sunny Latium.
Cultural Integration: Managing both Celtic and Roman populations simultaneously creates complex supply chain requirements.
Warning
Don't attempt to Romanize all Celtic settlements immediately. Gradual cultural integration prevents rebellion and maintains productivity.
Advanced Campaign Strategies
Research Tree Optimization
The Hall of Fame system provides persistent bonuses between playthroughs. Focus your initial research on these priority areas:
Economic Branch: Unlocks advanced production buildings and trade bonuses Civic Branch: Improves population happiness and building efficiency Military Branch: Essential for late-campaign conflicts and defense
Diplomatic Mastery
Your relationship with the Emperor significantly impacts campaign progression. Different emperors reward different behaviors:
Calidus favors military strength and Roman tradition Julia prefers diplomatic solutions and cultural tolerance
Choose your responses to imperial demands carefully, as these decisions affect available bonuses and story outcomes.
Combat and Military Management
While Anno 117 emphasizes peaceful city-building, military conflict becomes unavoidable during certain campaign moments. Naval combat proves more engaging than land battles, requiring strategic positioning and supply line protection.
Essential Military Tips
Fleet Composition: Balance fast scouts with heavy warships for optimal coverage Supply Lines: Protect trade routes from pirates using patrol ships Fortifications: Build defensive structures near vulnerable production areas
Tip
Invest in a strong navy early. Pirates frequently target isolated islands, and losing a specialized production settlement can cripple your economy.
Campaign Completion and Beyond
The campaign concludes after approximately 10 hours, transitioning seamlessly into sandbox mode. This allows you to continue developing your empire using the knowledge and infrastructure gained during the story.
Post-Campaign Opportunities
Monument Construction: Build massive projects like amphitheaters requiring empire-wide resource coordination Multi-Region Management: Expand operations across both Latium and Albion simultaneously Emperor Selection: Choose your preferred ruler for ongoing sandbox gameplay
The campaign's greatest strength lies in its pacing. Each chapter introduces new mechanics without overwhelming newcomers, while veteran city-builder fans will appreciate the strategic depth underlying seemingly simple systems.
Your journey from inexperienced noble to master governor provides the perfect foundation for Anno 117's deeper sandbox experiences. The skills learned managing Juliana's reconstruction and navigating Albion's challenges will serve you well in creating your own Roman empire legacy.