"Civilization VI" (PC): World Leaders Quiz

Answer: Gilgamesh

In the world of ancient literature, Gilgamesh is a pretty big deal. The "Epic of Gilgamesh", written on clay tablets around 2000-1200 BCE, tells the story of a semi-divine king of Uruk who sets out on a journey to find immortality after the death of his best friend, Enkidu. Along the way, he battles monsters, shows off his sexual prowess, meets gods, and learns the sobering truth that no one escapes mortality. It's got action, tragedy, friendship, and deep existential angst. Great reading for someone having a midlife crisis.

Fast forward a few millennia, and Gilgamesh appears in "Civilization VI", where he's traded in those clay tablets for a strategy screen. In the game, Gilgamesh leads the Sumerians and is famously friendly, sometimes to a fault. His special ability, "Adventures of Enkidu," lets him share rewards from battles fought alongside his allies (whose units get +5 combat strength), making him the ultimate buddy player. If you play your cards right, he'll be your best friend forever; if not, well... he can be a good friend or a worthy foe.

Answer: Victoria

Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901, a period so long she gave her name to an entire era. Under her rule, the British Empire stretched across the globe, famously described as the empire "on which the sun never sets." She presided over a time of massive industrial growth, scientific progress, and social change... although not without its fair share of colonial ambition and controversy. Victoria herself was devoted but a bit of a paradox: both a strict moral symbol and the figurehead of an empire that was constantly testing its own moral boundaries.

In "Civilization VI", Victoria keeps her imperial instincts alive and well. Her special ability, "Pax Britannica," rewards players for founding or conquering cities on continents other than their own. The more she expands, the happier she gets. Pair that with England's Royal Navy Dockyard, a unique district that boosts naval power and trade, and you've got a queen who practically demands an empire that spans the seas. She'll even greet you with overly polite enthusiasm... right up until your borders start getting too close to hers. If for no other reason, the character is beloved for her response to a declaration of war: "War? We are not amused!"

Answer: Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was a bundle of energy: a cowboy, soldier, conservationist, and politician. Serving from 1901 to 1909, he championed progressive reforms, trust-busting, and the idea that the U.S. should "speak softly and carry a big stick." He was also America's first great environmental president, establishing national parks, monuments, and wildlife refuges to protect the country's natural beauty. Between the Panama Canal, his Rough Riders fame, and that iconic mustache, Roosevelt pretty much defined early 20th-century manhood.

In "Civilization VI", Teddy's personality shines through in his "Roosevelt Corollary" ability. He's generally pretty friendly... until someone starts a war on his continent, that is. Then he turns from bookish to bull moose faster than you can say "Square Deal." He gets bonuses for fighting wars on his home turf and an Appeal boost for building National Parks, a nod to his real-life love of nature and conservation. Also, if you defeat him, his message to you is probably the most passive-aggressive of all the leaders: "Congratulations. Instead of the United States of America, your nation will go far."

Answer: Catherine de Medici

Catherine de Medici was one of the most powerful and fascinating women of the 16th century, an Italian-born noblewoman who became Queen of France through her marriage to King Henry II. When her husband died, Catherine found herself ruling through the reigns of her sons, navigating France through religious conflict. She was known for her sharp mind, political instincts, and talent for surviving, a not-so-minor feat in a royal court where poison and daggers were considered accessories (at least according to her enemies).

In "Civilization VI", Catherine embraces that reputation with flair and a fair sprinkling of espionage glitter. As France's leader, she gains bonuses from spies and diplomatic visibility, the more she knows about you, the more powerful she becomes. Her "Catherine's Flying Squadron" ability nods to her historic network of courtiers, informants, and yes, spies, who kept her informed about everything from court gossip to political plots. She's the kind of leader who'll smile sweetly while in reality she's already stolen your tech secrets three turns ago.

Answer: Mvemba a Nzinga

Historically, Afonso I of Kongo (also known by his Kikongo name, Mvemba a Nzinga) was one of the most remarkable African rulers of the early modern period. He ruled the Kingdom of Kongo in the early 1500s and developed deep ties with Portugal, both diplomatically and religiously. After converting to Christianity, he took the name Afonso and worked to blend European and Kongolese traditions, building schools and churches in his realm. However, the alliance was not all fun and games. Afonso was horrified by the growing Portuguese slave trade of free Kongolese, and he famously wrote letters condemning the practice and pleading for an end to it. It was a bold move for a king trying to hold on to independence in a growing colonial world.

In "Civilization VI", Afonso's faith is given an interesting twist. His Kongo civilization can't found a religion at all. Instead, he happily adopts whatever religion spreads to his lands, and gains powerful bonuses for doing so. His unique ability, "Religious Convert," gives him extra yields from relics, great works of sculpture, and artifacts, making him a cultural powerhouse once someone else brings the good word. He's the ultimate "open-minded" ruler: if you can't beat em, worship with em... and quietly outscore them.

Answer: Tomyris

Historically, Tomyris was a queen (and possibly a warlord) of the Massagetae, a nomadic Scythian people who lived in the steppes of Central Asia. Her story comes to us mainly through Herodotus, and if you know anything about Herodotus, you know it's hard to tell the actual history from dramatic embellishments. According to his account, Cyrus the Great of Persia invaded her lands, captured her son, and drove him to suicide. Tomyris, understandably furious, led her armies to defeat the Persians and, in one of the most metal moments in ancient lore, supposedly had Cyrus's severed head placed in a wineskin full of blood so he could finally "drink his fill." Whether or not that actually happened is anyone's guess, but it's safe to say she wasn't one to take betrayal lightly.

In "Civilization VI", Tomyris is every bit as menacing. Leading the Scythians, she's a major nuisance for anyone who picks a fight they can't finish. Her units get powerful combat bonuses against wounded enemies, and she heals her troops after eliminating an enemy unit, a pretty nifty way to stay on the offensive without ever slowing down, especially early in the game. She's also got a particular dislike for leaders who launch surprise wars, which, to be fair, feels like a reasonable personal boundary.

Answer: Cleopatra

Historically, Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last active pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, ruling from 51 to 30 BCE. She was a shrewd and multilingual stateswoman who navigated a world dominated by the expanding influence of Rome, and its famously... complicated politics. Cleopatra formed alliances (and personal relationships) with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, seeking to preserve Egypt's independence and her own throne. Despite her brilliance, her plans unraveled after Antony's defeat by Octavian (the future Augustus). Facing inevitable conquest, Cleopatra chose death over surrender, her legend sealed in gold, shrewd politics, and a very questionable story involving a snake.

In "Civilization VI", Cleopatra channels that same charm and political cunning, but with a friendlier interface. Her Egypt thrives along rivers, gaining bonuses from districts and wonders built near them, and her "Mediterranean's Bride" ability encourages trade with other civilizations. She'll adore you for sending trade routes her way, but send troops instead and she'll hiss like that doubtful asp.

Answer: Trajan

Historically, Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus) ruled the Roman Empire from 98 to 117 CE and is remembered as one of its greatest emperors, not too shabby for a guy who started out as a soldier from Spain. Under Trajan, Rome reached its maximum territorial extent, stretching from Mesopotamia to Britain. He was as famous for his conquests (hello, Dacia!) as he was for ambitious public works: roads, aqueducts, bridges, and, Trajan's Forum and Trajan's Column, both monuments to Roman engineering and of course imperial bragging rights. Machiavelli later listed him among the "Five Good Emperors," meaning he was one of the few who could expand the empire without completely burning it down afterward.

In "Civilization VI", Trajan is every bit the empire builder. His special ability, "Trajan's Column," grants a free monument in every new city, giving Rome an early advantage in infrastructure and culture, the kind of efficiency that would make any government bureaucrat weep tears of joy. His roads (automatically built along trade routes) ensure smooth expansion across continents, while his love of baths, represented by the Roman unique building, the Bath, keeps his citizens happy... and squeaky clean, one imagines. Just watch out. Those roads he builds to your kingdom make it so much easier to get to.

Answer: Gorgo

Gorgo of Sparta was a political force and one of the few women of ancient Greece whose words were actually recorded, which ought to say something about her impact. She was the daughter of King Cleomenes I and the wife of the famous Leonidas I... yup, that Leonidas. You know, the one of this-is-Sparta fame and tragically allergic to any cloth touching his upper body. Ancient writers described her as intelligent and perceptive, famously advising her father and husband on matters of state. When asked why Spartan women were the only ones who could rule men, she allegedly replied, "Because we are the only women who give birth to men." Another metal moment from a female leader of antiquity.

In "Civilization VI", Gorgo leads Sparta with a balance of brains and brawn. Her ability, "Thermopylae," rewards her with extra culture for every enemy unit defeated, because apparently, in her Sparta, killing people is a form of self-expression. She's all about strength, honor, and culture through conquest, making her ideal for players who like to inspire admiration and fear in equal measure. She's great if you want to dominate through the military while racing through the civics tree.

Answer: Peter

Peter the Great (Peter I of Russia) lived up to his name, and maybe then some. He ruled from 1682 to 1725, dragging Russia (sometimes kicking and screaming) into the modern European world. Peter traveled incognito through Western Europe to learn shipbuilding, science, and statecraft, returning home determined to westernize his empire. He reformed the army, built a navy from scratch, reorganized government, and founded the city of St. Petersburg on newly conquered Swedish territory after the Great Northern War. It became Russia's "window to the West," and Peter's own monument to progress, ambition, and questionable decisions about building cities on swamps, a feat which cost the lives of thousands of laborers.

In "Civilization VI", Peter's curiosity and love of advancement translate well into gameplay. His ability, "The Grand Embassy," rewards him with bonus science and culture when trading with more advanced civilizations... because if someone's smarter than you, Peter's smart enough to make it profitable. Russia under Peter also gets extra territory when founding cities, powerful Lavra districts that boost Great People generation, and a late-game edge in religion and culture.