The ancient Romans referred to the Mediterranean Sea as "mare nostrum", which is Latin for "our sea".

Mare Nostrum is an empire-building game in which 3-5 players will lead their individual ancient empires to dominion of Mare Nostrum. You advance the fame and glory of your empire by expanding your influence into new Provinces, then extending your Trade Caravans, building Markets, and founding new Cities and Temples. You can recruit Heroes and build Wonders to help your cause. But beware of your ""friends"" because they might look upon your gains with envy and greed...

Mare Nostrum is a re-release by Academy Games and Asyncron of the original 2003 release with updated rules, counters, and map board. This edition comes with many new components and multiple new ways to win!

In greater detail, you choose an empire to lead, which begins with three Provinces. You could lead with Caesar of Rome and its powerful Legions, or with Pericles, the prominent Greek statesman and orator, with the great Babylonian lawgiver and healer King Hammurabi, or with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, whose engineers led in the development of grain storage and irrigation, or with Hannibal, leader of the Carthaginia, whose merchants thrived on trade and commerce. Next you decide how you will grow your empire. You can do this by:

• Expanding your Trade and building Wonders.
• Focusing on Culture and building the great Pyramids.
• Developing a strong and mighty Military to occupy the Provinces of other empires, or
• Exerting Political Leadership by taking the titles of Trade Leader, Cultural Leader, and Military Leader.