The first cities on the Rhine grew from Roman outposts protecting the border with Germania. As the governor of one of these cities, your job is to develop it in the best possible way, while also defending it against the Germanic tribes. Empress Agrippina and her son Nero will inspect your actions and honor the most successful governor.

In 'Discordia', you create your city by building farms, barracks, defenses, harbors, and markets, and by trading with ships. Use your seamen, soldiers, merchants, and farmers profitably, fulfill decrees, and secure privileges — acting carefully at all times so that your city grows neither too fast nor too slow. Will you have the best-developed city by the end of the fourth year, or will you manage to impress the empress before then and win the game early?