
In Civilization 7, selecting an Antiquity Age Civilization is crucial as players embark on their journey. Your choice, in conjunction with a Leader, establishes the groundwork for future advancements through Exploration and into the Modern Age. A total of ten distinct Antiquity Civilizations are available, but some, due to their unique strengths and abilities, outshine others significantly.
While any Civilization has the potential to secure an Antiquity Victory by maximizing its strengths, certain Civs are inherently better suited to achieve this goal with greater ease. This list evaluates the Antiquity Civs in Civ 7, ranking them based on their proficiency in attaining one of the four Legacy Paths and their potential for success in later ages.
1. Maya
Optimal Maya Legacy Path: Scientific

- Skies of Itzamna: +0.5 Science for adjacent Vegetated Tiles in the Palace.
- Maya Civics:
- Rain of Chaac: Unlocks the K’uh Nah Unique Building, enhancing Science based on surrounding Vegetated tiles.
- Lords of Xibalba: Introduces the Jalaw Unique Building. Units gain Stealth in overgrown areas.
- Calendar Round: Grants additional Culture for completed Techs and Science for completed Civics.
- Maya Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Jaguar Slayer: A Recon Unit capable of triggering combat and setting traps.
- Hul’che: A Ranged Unit that navigates through Vegetated Tiles.
- Jalaw: A cultural Happiness Building adjacent to Quarters.
- K’uh Nah: A Science-focused Building that thrives near Vegetated tiles.
- Uwaybil K’uh: Increases Production upon researching Technologies.
Maya Favored Wonder : Lost World
Maya Starting Bias: Vegetated, Tropical
2. Aksum
Optimal Aksum Legacy Path: Economic

- Kingdom of Natural Wealth: Grants +2 Gold from all Resources.
- Aksum Civics:
- Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: Unlocks the Hawilt Unique Improvement; expands Resource capacity along coastlines.
- Monumentum Adulitanum: Enhances Culture adjacency for Altar and Monument Buildings with Hawilt improvements.
- Book of the Himyarites: Grants swift abilities to Dhow naval units, allowing them to bypass enemy protections.
- Aksum Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Tankwa: A Trade Ship with extended Trade Route range immune to pillaging.
- Dhow: A powerful naval unit that excels on coastal tiles.
- Hawilt: Generates Gold and Culture based on nearby Wonders.
Aksum Favored Wonder: Great Stele
Aksum Starting Bias: Coastal, Rough
3. Han China
Optimal Han China Legacy Path: Scientific

- Nine Provinces: Grants additional Population upon the first Growth event in the Capital and its Towns.
- Han China Civics:
- Zhi: Introduces the Great Wall Unique Improvement, enhancing Science Buildings’ adjacency for Quarters.
- Li: Boosts Influence on the Palace.
- Yield : Increases defensive Combat Strength for Chu-Ko-Nu units.
- Junzi: Elevates Science yields in the Capital.
- Han China Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Shì Dàfū: A Great Person with randomized abilities.
- Chu-No-Ku: A Ranged Unit with enhanced defenses.
- Han Great Wall: A fortification contributing Culture and Happiness.
Han China Favored Wonder : Weiyang Palace
Han China Starting Bias: Grassland
4. Rome
Optimal Rome Legacy Path: Scientific

- Twelve Tables: +1 Culture for Districts in the Capital and City Centers in Towns.
- Rome Civics:
- Roman Army : Unlocks the Temple of Jupiter Unique Building.
- Civis Romanus: Unlocks the Basilica Unique Building.
- Legatus Pro Praetore : Provides a free Infantry Unit for new Settlements.
- Rome Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Legatus: An Army Commander that establishes new Towns.
- Legion: Gains Combat Strength per Roman Tradition in the Government.
- Basilica: A Gold-producing building with Culture adjacency.
Rome Favored Wonder: Colosseum
Rome Starting Bias: Grassland
5. Maurya
Optimal Maurya Legacy Path: Militaristic

- Dhamma Lipi: Grants an additional Pantheon after unlocking Mysticism.
- Maurya Civics:
- Acharya : Unlocks Dharmashala and Vihara Unique Buildings.
- Vyuham: Improves Combat Strength for adjacent Infantry and Cavalry Units.
- Ayurveda: Boosts Healing for Units near Purabhettarah Unique Cavalry Units.
- Maurya Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Nagarika: A Settler that enhances city Happiness.
- Purabhettarah: A Cavalry unit excelling against fortifications.
- Dharamshala: A Happiness Building contributing Science.
Maurya Favored Wonder: Sanchi Stupa
Maurya Starting Bias: Vegetated
6. Khmer
Optimal Khmer Legacy Path: Scientific

- Ksekam Chamnon: River Urban Districts preserve natural yields.
- Khmer Civics:
- Mousong: Helps protect Urban Districts and Improvements from floods.
- Amnach: Increases Movement for Yuthahathi units.
- Khmer Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Vaishya : A merchant immune to flood damage.
- Yuthahathi: A Cavalry unit effective in combat.
- Baray: Enhances Food production from Floodplains.
Khmer Favored Wonder: Angkor Wat
Khmer Starting Bias: Floodplains, Tropical
7. Egypt
Optimal Egypt Legacy Path: Culture

- Gifts of Osiris: +1 Production on Navigable River tiles.
- Egypt Civics:
- Arrival of Hapi: Unlocks Mortuary Temple Unique Building.
- Scales of Anubis: Unlocks the Mastaba Unique Building, producing Gold with Medjay units.
- Egypt Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Tjaty: A Great Person with various beneficial effects.
- Medjay: Infantry unit with enhanced strength in friendly territories.
- Mastaba: Culture-focused building adjacent to Desert tiles.
Egypt Favored Wonder: Pyramids
Egypt Starting Bias: Desert, Navigable River
8. Greece
Optimal Greece Legacy Path: Cultural

- Demokratia: Grants +3 Influence per turn on the Palace.
- Greece Civics:
- Ekklesia: Unlocks the Odeon Unique Building.
- Agoge: Unlocks the Parthenon Unique Building.
- Greece Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Logios: A Great Person with a range of impacts.
- Hoplite: An Infantry unit gaining strength from nearby allies.
- Odeon: A Happiness Building with Culture bonuses.
Greece Favored Wonder: Oracle
Greece Starting Bias: Grassland, Rough
9. Persia
Optimal Persia Legacy Path: Militaristic

- Hamarana Council: Boosts Combat Strength for Infantry Units on the attack.
- Persia Civics:
- Spada: Reduces maintenance costs for Military Units.
- Satrapies: Unlocks Pairidaeza Unique Improvement.
- Persia Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Hazarapatis: A Commander with special promotions.
- Immortal: A resilient infantry unit that heals post-battle.
- Pairidaeza: An Improvement enhancing Culture and Gold.
Persia Favored Wonder: Gate Of All Nations
Persia Starting Bias: Desert, Plains
10. Mississippian
Optimal Mississippian Legacy Path: Economic

- Goose Societies: All Buildings benefit from a +1 Food Adjacency for Resources.
- Mississippian Civics:
- Earthworks: Unlocks the Potkop Unique Improvement and increases Production capabilities.
- Cah-nah-ha: Boosts Resource capacity in the Capital.
- Waahih: Specific ranged units can pillage tiles from a distance.
- Mississippian Unique Units & Infrastructure:
- Watonathi: A Merchant that earns Gold through Resources on Trade Routes.
- Burning Arrow: A Ranged Unit effective against Fortifications.
- Potkop: Increases resource yields when placed near adjacent resources.
Mississippian Favored Wonder: Monks Mound
Mississippian Starting Bias: Flat, Rivers
For a comprehensive analysis of all Antiquity Age Civilizations in Civilization 7, visit this source.
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