In Æterna you take on the role of a Roman Gens (family) trying to increase its prestige through three eras: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

Your goal is to increase your influence over the city by supporting the conquest of the provinces, maintaining control over the 7 Hills, and contributing to the construction of monuments and buildings. While doing this, you must always be careful not to demotivate the people in the hills under your direct control, for unrest could put you in a bad light. If you manage majorities, cards and resources better than your opponents, your Gens will be remembered in the history books as one of the most important in Rome.