# Overview

Through the Ages is a turn-based, card-driven, civilization-building game for up to four players. You strive to maximize the political, economic, and scientific power of your civilization. Select the best leaders and government for your nation, discover new technologies, build wonders, and exercise your military might to prevail over your opponents.

## Goal of the Game

The goal of the game is to become the most culturally significant civilization in the world. The civilization with the most culture points wins the game. However, the path to victory is rarely straightforward, and a civilization focusing only on culture is likely to fall behind industrial, scientific, and military superpowers. You must decide how to prioritize the various aspects of your civilization to guide your people to victory.

## Ages

As you progress through the game, the cards available to you will change, altering the pace and feel of the game. This reflects the various ages of human history.

#### Age A – Antiquity

Antiquity is the start of the game. You will see your first leaders and wonders. Various favorable events will help your civilization get off to a good start.

#### Age I – The Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, you see the first technologies. These include new types of urban buildings (libraries, theaters, arenas), new types of military units (cavalry), and the first advanced forms of government. A strong military with newly discovered tactics will help you avoid some of the unfavorable events and put you in a position to colonize your first territories. The game grows more interactive as civilizations agree to pacts or display aggression.

#### Age II – The Age of Exploration

The Age of Exploration offers a new type of military unit, artillery, which can help you win wars. Colonization becomes more intense with the discovery of new territories that can bring significant advantages.

#### Age III – The Modern Era

The Modern Era brings a boom in culture. As the end of the game draws near, you will see events that give you points for various aspects of your civilization. Wonders offer huge one-time bonuses. And even wars can earn you culture points. This age, too, offers a new type of military unit, the air force.

#### Age IV – End of the Game

This age is for finishing up the game. No new cards appear. At the end of the game, any unresolved Age III events are evaluated and players' final scores are tallied.