| Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ensemble Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Designer(s) | Sandy Petersen |
| Programmer(s) | Tim Deen |
| Artist(s) | Scott Winsett |
| Composer(s) | Chris Rippy, Stephen Rippy |
| Series | Age of Empires |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome is a 1998 expansion pack for the 1997 real-time strategy video game Age of Empires, developed by Ensemble Studios for Windows and published by Microsoft. The expansion adds four new playable civilizations, including the Romans, as well as new units, map types and minor improvements to the game. Development of The Rise of Rome was prompted by delays to the creation of a sequel, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, leading to Ensemble Studios creating an expansion to maintain sales of the original game. Upon release, The Rise of Rome was commercially successful and received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed to the expansion's inclusion of features and gameplay mechanics beyond the expected addition of new maps. Reviewers later expressed that the expansion set the standard for the sequel to Age of Empires II, The Conquerors, released in 2000.