Cradle of Civilization is a pair of games, Sumeria to Persia and Alexander vs Darius, in one premium package (mounted mapboard and thick counters) that allows two to six players determine the fate of the Ancient Near East. In one game civilizations rise, while in the second game, two players battle over whether the great Persian Empire will survive or perish. Both games use simple mechanics to make them quick-playing and to portray a period feel to the players.