Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome

Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome is an expansion pack for the 1997 real-time strategy game Age of Empires, developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Games. Released in 1998, it adds four new civilizations, Romans, Carthaginians, Macedonians, and Palmyrans, each with unique bonuses and technologies. Five new units are introduced: the Slinger, Camel Rider, Fire Galley, Scythe Chariot, and Armoured Elephant, each designed to address specific tactical gaps in the original game, such as countering archer rushes or cavalry assaults. Four new technologies expand strategic options: Logistics (halves barracks units' population cost), Martyrdom (suicide priests convert a unit instantly), Medicine (faster priest healing), and Tower Shield (bonus infantry armor vs. missiles). The expansion includes four single-player campaigns, a Gigantic map size (56% larger than Huge), four new map types (Continental, Mediterranean, Hill Country, Narrows), and production queueing for buildings, a feature previously absent. Multiplayer remains the focus, with support for IPX, Internet, and modem/serial connections, building on the original's robust head-to-head play. Artificial intelligence is improved, and many small interface tweaks, such as double-click to select all visible units of a type, a Random Civilization option, and a sound cue shortcut, refine the experience. Age of Empires: Rise of Rome is widely regarded as a model expansion pack, offering substantial enhancements without compromising the core game's addictive formula.