We already know that there are some big changes in store for gaming’s biggest turn-based strategy series when Civilization 7 launches in early 2025. However the new gameplay might affect the storied franchise, we can still be certain that there will be a massive selection of historical civilizations to choose from.
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With mechanics adapted from recent competitors like Humankind, Civ 7 models the growth of cultures as civilizations evolve from one nation to the next throughout the ages. Here are all the civs and leaders that have been revealed so far, and what we know about them.
Some Civilizations and Leaders have only been confirmed to be in the game, but no further information has been given about their abilities. This list only includes entries that have been verifiably confirmed by official sources, such as Firaxis developer diaries or the 2K Games website; anything else has been left off for the time being.
Updated on December 15, 2024: Mexico is the first Modern Age Civ to be fully revealed for Civlization 7, on the heels of the Songhai and legendary exlplorer Ibn Battuta. There are less than two months until launch – we’re in the home stretch now!
Abbasid
Exploration Age Civilization
Historically, the Abbasid Caliphate was the center of the Golden Age of Islam, and its capital moved from Baghdad to Cairo in the 13th century CE. They’ll make heavy use of Specialists who, once the Abbasids hit their stride, will have lower maintenance costs and will be able to contribute Science regardless of their profession.
The listed abilities for the Abbasids also hint at a divide between Rural and Urban populations in cities, which could mean new challenges and opportunities in managing your empire’s growth!
Aksum
Antiquity Age Civilization
Aksum was an ancient kingdom in what is now Ethiopia. They were considered a great power on the ancient world, alongside Persia, Rome, and China, and their comparatively early adoption of Christianity gave rise to legends of the Kingdom of Prester John centuries later.
Aksum was historically a trade power thanks to their easy access to the Indian Ocean, and now that they’ve been fully revealed, we can see that their legacy is well-preserved in Civ 7. They get bonuses for building on the coast, and their unique trade ship, the Tankwa, can’t be pillaged. If you like to ply the sea for gold, Aksum will be a great starting pick.
Amina
Leader
Amina, Queen of Zazzau was a sixteenth-century monarch in what is now Nigeria. She spent most of her thirty-four-year reign conquering her neighbors, and even before taking the throne was a feared cavalrywoman in her brother’s army.
In-game, Amina’s experience on horseback is reflected in a combat bonus for units on plains and desert tiles. These are ideal for mounted troops, but massed infantry can do quite well under her command as well. She also gets bonus gold for each resource assigned to a city, which hints at a more granular economic system in Civ 7 than in Civ 6.
Ashoka
Leader
Ashoka has been featured in previous Civilization games, it’s been a while – this is his first appearance since Civ 4. The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, who made his own Civ debut in Civilization 6, Ashoka is known equally as a fearsome military leader and an important advocate for the spread of Buddhism in the third century BCE.
In Civilization 7, Ashoka will have two personas to represent his dual roles in history. As the World Conqueror, he gets extra Production in cities that he conquered rather than founded, and excess Happiness in cities is converted into Production regardless of how Ashoka came to rule them. When he turns his focus inward as the World Renouncer, all of Ashoka’s buildings generate extra Happiness for being near Improvements, and excess Happiness is converted to Food, helping his cities flourish and grow.
Augustus
Leader
The nephew of Julius Caesar, Augustus was the first Roman Emperor after eliminating his rivals in a series of wars after his uncle’s famous assassination. His last appearance in the Civilization series was in Civ 5, where he focused on building an efficient empire around a strong capital.
Augustus’ focus on the glory of Rome remains intact, as his Imperium Maius ability improves the Production in his Capital for every Town he has. His Towns aren’t left out in the cold, though, as he gets more Gold toward purchasing buildings in them, and can put that Gold toward Culture Buildings.
Benjamin Franklin
Leader
Several US Presidents have been featured as American leaders in Civilization over the years, but Ben Franklin is the first non-President in that role. We don’t know much more about his place in the game beyond that, but given that in real life he was an inventor and an ambassador, he’s likely to focus on Science and Diplomacy.
Buganda
Modern Age Civilization
Buganda is a traditional monarchy within the modern nation of Uganda. It was abolished shortly after Uganda gained its independence from Great Britain, but restored in 1993. Civilization hasn’t typically featured modern nations that aren’t major powers, so how they approach smaller countries will be something to watch.
We know that the Abbasids can progress to Buganda in the Modern Age, but no gameplay has been revealed for them at this time.
Charlemagne
Leader
King of the Franks and later crowned Emperor of Romans in the West, Charlemagne laid the foundations for the Holy Roman Empire, France, and Germany. While still certainly bloody, his rule helped bring Europe out of the Dark Ages.
As such, Charlemagne brings a Scientific and Military playstyle to whichever empire he leads in Civ 7. Playing to his strengths not only helps keep the citizenry happy, but also allows him to field large cavalry armies to expand the reach of his kingdom.
Chola India
Exploration Age Civilization
The Chola Empire ruled over southern and eastern India from the ninth to thirteenth centuries CE, controlling huge swathes of coastline and protecting their trade with the largest navy in the region at the time. They invested their wealth in arts and literature, building temples and statues that still stand today.
As we predicted, the Chola Empire focuses on naval supremacy and trade, using their diplomatic prowess to bring in Gold from across the world with improved trade routes.
Confucius
Leader
Like Ben Franklin, Confucius is famous as a thinker rather than a head of state, so we can probably expect many more Leaders in the broader sense of the term in Civilization 7. The grandfather of Chinese philosophy, Confucius’ teachings would go on to influence thought and culture across East Asia for centuries.
Confucius focuses on population growth, Science and Specialists, making – predictably – an ideal fit for Han China. Given how powerful Science has historically been in the Civ series, the great sage should have plenty to offer other empires as well.
Egypt
Antiquity Age Civilization
There was never any question that Pharaonic Egypt was going to be in Civilization 7. Constructing Wonders, waging war, building a civilization to stand the test of time – that was Egypt’s whole thing!
Egypt in Civ 7 benefits from building on rivers near deserts, and building Wonders early. They have access to the Tjaty, a unique civilian unit similar to Gran Colombia’s Comandante General in Civilization 6. Each named Tjaty offers a different bonus, but can only be activated on a Wonder – get those Pyramids built!
French Empire
Modern Age
France has gone through a lot of different iterations in its time, so Napoleon’s Empire isn’t likely to be the only version of France that we see in Civilization 7. It’s certain to be the most military-focused, though, considering that the historical equivalent nearly conquered all of Europe. Given how powerful you’re likely to be in the late game, you might just succeed where Napoleon failed – just think twice before invading Russia in winter.
Greece
Antiquity Age Civilization
Ancient Greece is another culture that’s been in every Civilization game, and this time around they’re keeping the Culture and Diplomacy approach that Pericles had in Civ 6. Their unique unit, the Hoplite, will be familiar to returning players, as it still gets a bonus for having other Hoplites adjacent. Greece will also be able to recruit Logioi (singular Logios), historical philosophers and poets with unique effects.
Based on their abilities, it looks like Greece will have a much easier time working with Civ 7’s as-yet-unrevealed diplomacy system. Time will tell whether the Delian League stands united through all ages.
Han China
Antiquity Age Civilization
The Han Dynasty rule over China for four centuries, eventually giving way to the famous Three Kingdoms period. Considered a golden age, it’s what you probably think of when the words “Ancient China” are brought up.
In Civ 7, Han China focuses on population growth and Science, letting you get an early advantage by building tall. With the Great Wall and the return of the mighty Chu-Ko-Nu crossbows after taking a game off, enemies will need to think twice before disturbing the Middle Kingdom.
Hatshepsut
Leader
Hatshepsut ruled over Egypt during a time of relative peace and prosperity, though her jealous successors attempted to erase her from the historical record. We know from Dev Diaries that she can lead Egypt, Aksum, or a third, as-yet-unannounced Antiquity Civilization.
Hatshepsut gets extra Production towards Buildings and Wonders in cities, provided they’re adjacent to a navigable river. She also gets Culture for every imported resource, encouraging her to maintain good relations with other empires and trade with them. All in all, she seems similar to Civ 6’s Cleopatra, but more focused.
Hawai’i
Exploration Age Civilization
The Kingdom of Hawai’i encompassed what is now the US State of the same name, and while it previously featured in Civilization 5 as a Natural Wonder, and its famed King Kamehameha led the Polynesian Civilization in that game, this is Hawai’i’s first outing as a fully playable empire in the series.
Hawai’i’s famed Culture is at the forefront of its gameplay, with the Civilization gaining extra Culture each time they expand onto a marine tile. That means that coastal cities – particularly on islands – are fittingly the best choice.
Himiko
Leader
Himiko, the Queen of Yamatai, is mentioned in Chinese histories about relations with Japan, but not in Japanese records. It’s possible that she is draw from legends of Empress Jingu, whose tales come from the same period. Whatever her origin, Himiko is revered as a legendary figure in Japanese history, and rises from an optional Hero in Civ 6 to a full-blown Leader in Civilization 7.
We know from the Dev Diaries that Himiko always has the option to select Meiji Japan as her Modern Age Civilization.
Ibn Battuta
Leader
The wandering scholar Ibn Battuta may have been the most well-traveled person on Earth during his lifetime (1304-1369 CE). Originally from North Africa, his decades of exploration took him from Spain to China and everywhere in between.
Naturally, playing as Ibn Battuta in Civ 7 means charting the world and always knowing what’s over the next hill. He gets increased line of sight for his units and eventually gets the ability to see other Leaders’ explored territory – no satellites required. Given how important information is, especially in multiplayer, he’s likely to be one to watch as the metagame develops.
Inca
Exploration Age Civilization
The Incan Empire of Tawantinsuyu has been a longtime part of Civilization, and their familiar terrain-based gameplay from Civ 6 returns in the mountains of Civilization 7. Like before, the Incas excel at getting the most out of mountain tiles, turning otherwise-useless blockers into sources of food.
Having a hilly empire is great for defense, and rivals who want to invade the Incas had best be warned; the Warak’aq unique unit deals bonus damage to units that are already wounded, ensuring that a failed attack and the ensuing retreat will be costly.
Isabella
Leader
Queen Isabella of Castille became the first co-monarch of united Spain through her marriage to Ferdinand, King of Aragon. She is best known for financing Columbus’ 1492 expedition, but she also formed the Spanish Inquisition, ushering in an era of religious persecution against non-Catholics that would last for centuries.
Isabella’s playstyle in Civilization 7 reflects her conquistadors’ search for the legendary cities of gold in the Americas. She gains Gold every time she discovers a Natural Wonder, and the further it is from her homeland, the better. She also gets discounted naval units, making her ideal for commanding the Spanish Armada… even if it’s under a different flag.
