Welcome to the magnificent world of Anno 117: Pax Romana, where you'll forge your legacy as a Roman governor during the height of the empire. This ancient setting brings fresh mechanics to the beloved city-building franchise, introducing cultural choices that fundamentally reshape how you develop your settlements. Whether you're expanding Roman influence or preserving Celtic traditions, mastering these systems will determine your empire's fate.
Which Starting Province Should You Choose?
Your first major decision sets the tone for your entire campaign. Latium offers the familiar Mediterranean experience with classical Roman architecture and straightforward production chains. This province serves as the perfect introduction for newcomers, featuring traditional building layouts and well-established resource networks.
Albion presents a dramatically different challenge. This Celtic region forces you to construct settlements on stilts above marshlands, connected by wooden walkways. The swampy terrain demands higher resource consumption since bridge construction requires significant wood investment while limiting your buildable space.
Tip
Start with Latium for your first playthrough to master core mechanics before tackling Albion's unique challenges.
Understanding the Revolutionary Culture System
Anno 117 introduces the franchise's most impactful new feature: cultural evolution paths. In Albion, you begin with Wanderers who require basic food and clothing. Once these needs are satisfied, you face a pivotal choice that shapes your entire civilization.
The Celtic Path: Smiths to Elders
Choosing the Celtic route transforms Wanderers into Smiths, who demand beer, cheese, and drinking horns. These craftsmen eventually evolve into Elders who require:
- Latium wine for trade connections
- Chariots for transportation
- Council of Elders buildings for governance
The Roman Path: Mercators to Nobles
Alternatively, you can guide your population toward Roman customs by developing Mercators. These citizens need bread, sausages, and amphorae. At the highest tier, they become Nobles expecting:
- Elegant togas for status
- Grand theaters for entertainment
- Sophisticated aqueducts for luxury
Mastering the Flexible Population System
Unlike previous Anno titles requiring all population needs to be met, Anno 117 introduces category-based requirements. For Libertus citizens, you only need to fulfill one option from each category: food, clothing, and public services.
This flexibility allows strategic specialization. You might focus on fish production instead of porridge, or prioritize tunics over other clothing options. However, satisfying multiple needs within categories provides additional benefits like increased tax revenue and improved satisfaction.
Important
Higher population tiers add more categories with increasingly complex requirements, so plan your production chains accordingly.
Strategic Building Placement and Attributes
The new attribute system transforms city planning into a strategic puzzle. Buildings now provide buffs and debuffs based on their surroundings, making placement crucial for optimization.
Key Attributes to Monitor:
- Income: Affects tax revenue generation
- Population: Influences workforce availability
- Satisfaction: Prevents revolts and unrest
- Fire Safety: Reduces disaster risk
- Health: Maintains population growth
For example, bakeries provide +3 income but impose -2 fire safety on nearby structures. Smart governors place these buildings away from dense residential areas while maximizing their economic benefits.
The Discovery Tree: Your Path to Advancement
Research becomes essential through the Discovery Tree, powered by the Knowledge resource. This system divides into three branches:
Economic Branch
- Paved roads for faster transport
- Enhanced production efficiency
- Advanced resource extraction methods
Civic Branch
- Improved public services
- Population management tools
- Cultural development options
Military Branch
- Protective Entourage for enhanced unit morale
- Advanced weapon technologies
- Defensive structure improvements
Generate Knowledge through Grammaticus buildings and by providing writing slates to upper-class citizens. Some discoveries require specific conditions like establishing trade routes or constructing aqueducts.
Warning
With over 150 discoveries available, focus your research on areas that support your chosen cultural path and expansion strategy.
Religion and Divine Influence
The religion mechanic adds another strategic layer through deity worship. Build sanctuaries and select primary gods whose influence benefits your islands. The system operates on the Belief attribute, increased through public buildings and specific goods like wine.
The Four Primary Deities:
- Ceres: Agricultural bonuses for farming regions
- Neptune: Naval and trade advantages
- Minerva: Knowledge and research benefits
- Mars: Military strength and unit morale
Choose deities based on each island's specialization. Agricultural islands benefit from Ceres, while military outposts thrive under Mars's influence. You can apply effects locally to individual islands or globally across your entire empire.
Combat: Land and Naval Warfare Returns
Anno 117 reintroduces land combat alongside traditional naval battles. Train diverse unit types following rock-paper-scissors mechanics:
- Infantry: Strong against ranged units
- Ranged fighters: Effective versus cavalry
- Cavalry: Dominates infantry formations
- Artillery: Siege weapons for fortifications
Coordinate land and sea forces for maximum effectiveness. Ships transport troops between islands and provide coastal bombardment, while land units can return fire against naval targets.
Defensive Strategies:
- Construct palisades and walls around key areas
- Build watchtowers for early warning systems
- Place Vigils buildings to maintain order
- Use terrain advantages in marshland regions
Tip
Peaceful players can enable automatic combat or disable rivals entirely to focus purely on city-building aspects.
Advanced Trade Networks and Expansion
Different islands possess varying fertility rates for resources, making trade essential for sustained growth. Establish trade routes using ships built in your shipyards, connecting distant settlements with your core territories.
Trade Route Types:
- Manual trade: Direct resource exchanges with other governors
- Automated routes: Recurring shipments between your islands
- Treaty trade: Diplomatic agreements for market access
When expanding to new islands, send ships loaded with lumber and tiles for immediate construction needs. Each new trading post costs significant upfront investment plus 50 taxes per minute, so ensure your economy can support expansion.
Managing Risks and City Development
As your settlements grow, various risks emerge that require careful management:
Fire Safety Concerns
- Monitor building placement effects
- Construct Vigils stations for fire prevention
- Build aqueducts for comprehensive safety coverage
- Avoid clustering high-risk buildings near residences
Health and Happiness
- Provide adequate public services
- Maintain supply chains for essential goods
- Build latrines and sanitation facilities
- Balance economic growth with citizen needs
The game's dynamic risk system means larger cities face greater challenges. Research advanced technologies and upgrade your population tiers to access better management tools and defensive structures.
Character Progression and Diplomacy
Choose between Marcus Naukratius or Marcia Tertia as your governor, each offering unique storylines and social challenges. Your decisions influence relationships with other governors and the emperor himself.
Build Prestige through magnificent structures like wine production facilities and grand villas. Use this influence in diplomatic negotiations for trade treaties, territorial agreements, or military alliances.
Important
Maintaining positive relationships with the emperor prevents costly wars that could devastate your developing empire.
Your Governor's Villa can house specialists gained through events, progression, or trade. These experts provide massive area-of-effect bonuses across your cities, making recruitment and retention crucial for long-term success.
The path to Roman greatness requires balancing cultural identity, economic prosperity, and military strength. Whether you choose to spread Roman civilization or preserve ancient traditions, Anno 117: Pax Romana rewards thoughtful planning and strategic adaptation. Master these systems, and you'll build an empire worthy of the ages.