The Sands of Time

About this board game

The Sands of Time is a civilization-building game for 2–5 players, with games lasting about 180 minutes. Set loosely in classical antiquity on a board inspired by a Roman-era map, it challenges each player to guide a civilization from an insignificant kingdom toward an empire worthy of historians.

Each turn, choose two action cards representing edicts delivered to your populace. These decisions shape the direction of your empire, but most actions require crops or gold, and their costs are connected to your empire’s size or level of Unrest.

• Build structures and implement advances.
• Migrate population and annex new territories.
• Initiate combat, institute reforms, and build trade routes.
• Demand tribute or record Chronicles about your reign.

Unrest is a central concern throughout the game. It can rise when territories become too crowded, when you reuse an action card, or when you voluntarily press your populace for additional productivity. Managing this pressure while pursuing growth is essential to keeping your civilization under control.

Chronicle cards form the heart of the scoring system. They represent claims of great accomplishments, but a claim must be supported by an appropriate level of heritage. Cultural, civil, and political reputations determine whether your civilization’s achievements will be believed and remembered.

Success in The Sands of Time requires more than relentless expansion. Players must find the right balance between competition and peaceful interaction with their neighbors, develop their civilizations, manage scarce resources, and create a legacy that can outlast the empire itself. Released in 2018, it offers a strategic journey through ambition, unrest, and the making of history.