2000 BC. A new empire is about to emerge in the north of Mesopotamia.

Nomadic tribes gather under the leadership of Assur, a city-state dedicated to the cult of the powerful mountain god. But life in the desert is precarious, and before ruling the world, one must first learn to survive. Players take the role of the chiefs of nomadic tribes. They travel the desert to find food and build wells and ziggurats. During the three reigns which make up the game, they try to spread the domination of their tribe over Assyria.