That moment arrives in every Anno 117 campaign when your starting island begins to feel cramped. Your production chains hit resource walls, your citizens’ demands exceed local capabilities—and suddenly, the real game begins: transforming from a provincial governor into an empire builder.
Expansion in Anno 117: Pax Romana isn’t just about grabbing land. It’s about forging an interconnected network of islands, each playing a specialized role in your imperial economy. Whether you grow through diplomacy, trade, or conquest, this guide will show you how to balance resources, logistics, and politics to build an empire that endures.
Laying the Foundation: Preparing for Expansion
Achieving Economic Stability
Before sending ships to claim new lands, make sure your home island runs a solid surplus. Every new settlement costs 50 gold per minute in upkeep, not counting construction expenses.
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Maximize tax revenue by satisfying your citizens’ needs.
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Produce plenty of Timber and Tiles, as both are essential for early expansion.
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Stockpile extra materials so new settlements can grow quickly without draining your core economy.
Securing Essential Resources
Knowing the Right Time to Expand
Expand once your core island runs smoothly and profits consistently. Triggers include:
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Stalled population growth due to resource shortages.
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Missing key luxury or raw materials.
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Enough financial stability to handle new upkeep costs.
Island Selection & Settlement Strategies
Finding the Right Island
Not every island is worth claiming. Prioritize those that fill gaps in your resource network:
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Fertility-dependent goods like Lavender or Clay.
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Defensible locations with chokepoints or proximity to trade hubs.
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Larger islands that allow complex production layouts.
Establishing a New Settlement
Sail a ship loaded with Planks and Tiles to an unclaimed island and construct a Trading Post. This becomes your central hub for administration and storage. Immediately build:
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Basic housing
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Food production
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Essential workforce buildings
Specialization Philosophy
Assign each island a purpose—agriculture, industry, or population.
For instance:
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Ore-rich islands → Tool Production
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Fertile islands → Food & luxury goods
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Spacious islands → Population centers
This approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes overlapping production.
Mastering Trade & Diplomacy
Creating Automated Trade Routes
Your trade routes are the lifeblood of the empire.
Use the trade menu to automate cargo transport between islands:
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Assign ships to routes.
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Configure loading/unloading goods (Planks, Food, Luxury Items).
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Regularly adjust quantities based on population demands.
These trade lines evolve into a vast logistics network—the true backbone of your Roman economy.
Building Diplomatic Relationships
Diplomacy in Anno 117 isn’t optional—it’s profitable.
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Trade Treaties: Open new markets for surplus goods.
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Non-Aggression Pacts: Secure peace during vulnerable expansion phases.
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Contracts & Gifts: Improve relations and earn bonuses from other governors.
Your diplomatic reputation influences trade prices, security, and military threat level.
Managing Imperial Relations
Emperor Calidus watches all provincial activity.
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Over-aggression risks imperial sanctions or intervention.
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Fulfilling imperial demands boosts favor and grants powerful bonuses.
Balance ambition with loyalty—Rome rewards those who serve its stability.
Military Expansion & Defense
Conquest as a Strategy
When diplomacy fails, war becomes your tool of expansion.
Your goal: Capture the enemy’s Governor Villa to take the island instantly.
Before invasion:
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Build troop transports and naval escorts.
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Use a balanced army to counter enemy formations.
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Prepare for sustained upkeep during the campaign.
Balancing Military and Economy
Military expansion strains resources.
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Limit production to current objectives.
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Downsize armies during peace to save gold.
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Maintain a balanced economy to support prolonged campaigns.
The most successful generals are those who know when to spend—and when to save.
Defending Your Holdings
New territories invite attention.
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Build coastal defenses near rival borders.
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Patrol key trade routes with small fleets.
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Invest in diplomacy—it’s often the best defense.
Remember: a loyal ally can protect your empire as well as a fleet of ships.
Advanced Empire Management
Multi-Island Workforce Balancing
Empire-wide management grows complex fast.
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Monitor workforce levels across all islands.
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Use dedicated residential hubs to export workforce to industrial zones.
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Keep each island’s population matched to its industry needs.
Crisis Management & Adaptation
Expect the unexpected—pirates, wars, or economic recessions.
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Keep emergency funds and stockpiles ready.
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Establish alternative trade routes to reroute resources.
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Diversify critical supply chains to prevent total collapse if one island falls.
Late-Game Optimization
In the late game, efficiency reigns supreme:
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Upgrade production chains via the Discovery Tree.
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Replace older transport ships with faster or larger models.
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Centralize industries to exploit ideal resource locations.
Your empire’s strength will depend on how seamlessly your logistics network operates.
Conclusion: Building a Lasting Legacy
Expansion in Anno 117 is more than territorial conquest—it’s about interdependence and strategy. The true Roman governor builds an empire where every island supports the next, creating stability through trade, diplomacy, and power.
The greatest empires aren’t always the largest—they’re the most resilient, balancing diplomacy with strength and prosperity with adaptability.
So, Governor, the provinces await your command:
Will you rule through commerce, conquest, or cunning? The Roman world is yours to shape.
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