The board shows the ancient Mediterranean area from Lebanon to the straits of Gibraltar. The map is divided into rectangles. Each player receives a number of ships and cities. By negotiation and skillful trade of "commercial cards" the players earn the necessaries for travel and expansion of their empires. Cities earn points based on size and location. Strategically-placed ships are worth points as well.
Description taken from BoardGameGeek.com, the best source for board game information on the 'net!