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All Cultures and Eras available in Humankind: Affinities, traits, quarters, units, and more

Learn about every culture and era featured in Humankind, the latest release from Amplitude Studios where you can change the history of humanity.
All Cultures and Eras available in Humankind: Affinities, traits, quarters, units, and more

For fans of real-time strategy titles like Civilization, Humankind represents a new experience within the 4X genre where they have the opportunity to rewrite the entire history of humanity, by combining different cultures and using their affinities, to create unique civilizations with no boundaries.

As players advance through the game, they will have the opportunity to choose from 60 cultures from six different eras of human history, with millions of possibilities to make their own empire and conquer the world by ultimately the highest possible international recognition.

That said, let’s take a look at every single culture and era available in Humankind, along with all their distinctive features like resources, traits, units, and more.

Humankind: Neolithic Era

Humankind Neolithic Era cultures
Tribe from the Neolithic Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

As in the real world, every Humankind game will start from the Neolithic Era, with the only culture available being the Nomadic Tribe. Thanks to their trait “A Tribe's Legacy”, you will be able to choose one of three legacy trait options through an event, after accruing 10 Science Knowledge from curiosities.

  • Makers: Wattle and Daub - Gives +1 Industry per Population on City or Outpost
  • Farmers: Plant Lore - Gives +1 Food per Population on City or Outpost
  • Storytellers: Astronomy - Gives +1 Science per Population on City or Outpost

Its Emblematic Unit are the Nomads, special Units that gather Food through fighting and ransacking in order to multiply. To advance to the next era you will have to get 1 Era Star, which you can get by completing any of these three tasks:

  • Hunter Star: Hunt a certain number of animals.
  • Knowledge Star: Get a certain amount of Science by discovering curiosities.
  • Growth Star: Get a certain population and/or unit count.

Humankind: Ancient Era

The next era within Humankind is the Ancient Era, previously known as Bronze Era. Here is when the real game begins, as you will have the ability to choose between the first of ten cultures of the game.

Humankind Ancient Era cultures
Cultures from the Ancient Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

This era also unlocks the ability to build Cities, research technologies, create a religion, and so on. You will also have access to horses and copper, after researching Domestication and Bronze-working technologies respectively.

In order to advance to the next eras, you will need to obtain 7 out of 21 Era Stars, obtainable by completing generated objectives for your culture. This condition will repeat among the other eras from Humankind.

The cultural wonders of the Ancient Era include the Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Stonehenge, and the Temple of Artemis.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Assyrians

Expansionist

Raid Masters

  • +1 Land Movement Speed on Unit

  • +5 Combat Strength bonus when Ransacking on Army

Dunnu / Assyrian Raiders

Babylonians

Scientist

Brilliant Philosophers

  • +2 Science per researched technologies on Capital

Astronomy House / Ṣäbu Ša Qašti

Egyptians

Builder

Grand Planners

  • +1 Industry on Tile producing Industry

  • Modify District Industry cost by -10%

Egyptian Pyramid / Markabata

Harappans

Agrarian

Fertile Inundations

  • +1 Food on Tile producing Food.

  • +1 Food on River

Canal Network / Runner

Hittites

Militarist

Lust for War

  • +1 Combat Strength

Awari / Gigir

Mycenaeans

Militarist

Brutal Upbringing

  • Modify Unit Industry cost by -20%

  • +25 Experience on creating Unit on City or Outpost

  • +25 Experience means Mycenean Units can receive +1 veterancy level from start, which will grant a Unit +1 Combat Strength.

Cyclopean Fortress / Promachoi

Nubians

Merchant

Golden Dreams

  • +5 Money on Luxury Resource deposit

  • +5 Money on Strategic Resource deposit

Meroe Pyramids / Ta-Seti Archers

Olmecs

Aesthete

Natural Harmony

  • +1 Influence on Territory

Olmec Head / Javelin Throwers

Phoenicicians

Merchant

Trading Pioneers

  • +2 Money per Traders on City or Outpost

Haven / Bireme

Zhou

Aesthete

Harmonious Thought

  • +2 Stability on District

Confucian School / Zhànche

Humankind: Classical Era

The Classical Era is marked by the large-scale smelting of iron, as well as the rapid growth of trade along with advances in mathematics and science.

Humankind Classical Era cultures
Cultures from the Classical Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

In this era, Iron will be available after researching the Standing Army technology.

The cultural wonders of the Classical Era include the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and the Statue of Zeus.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Achaemenid Persians

Expansionist

Cyrus' Shadow

  • +2 City Cap

  • +10 Stability on City or Outpost

Satrap Palace / Immortals

Aksumites

Merchant

Horn of Plenty

  • +2 Money on Tile producing Money

Great Obelisk / Shotelai

Carthaginians

Merchant

Hard Bargainers

  • Modify all Constructibles Buyout cost by -25%.

Cothon / War Elephant

Celts

Agrarian

Druidic Lore

  • +2 Food per Farmers on City or Outpost

Nemeton / Gaesati

Goths

Militarist

Nimble Pillage

  • +10 Combat Strength from ransacking on Unit

  • +2 Influence on Garrison

Tumulus / Gothic Cavalry

Greeks

Scientist

Socratic Methods

  • +2 Science per Researchers on City or Outpost

Amphitheatron / Hoplites

Huns

Militarist

Formidable Steeds

  • +2 Combat Strength on Cavalry Unit (including both Light and Heavy Cavalry)

Ordu / Hunnic Horde

Mauryans

Aesthete

Guiding Light

  • +1 Influence on Emblematic District

  • -10% on Attach Outpost cost

Stūpa / Saṃnāhya

Maya

Builder

Tireless Spirit

  • +2 Industry per Workers on City or Outpost

K'uh Nah / Noble Javelineers

Romans

Expansionist

Legion's Finest

  • +1 Unit slot available for each Army

  • -30% Army Upkeep on Army

Triumphal Arch / Praetorian Guards

Humankind: Medieval Era

The Medieval Era is marked by stunning architectural achievements, chivalry, large-scale migrations, the growth of state religions, feudalism, and an acceleration in military technology.

Humankind Medieval Era cultures
Cultures from the Medieval Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

The cultural wonders of the Medieval Era include Angkor Wat, the Forbidden City, Notre Dame, and Tōdai-Ji.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Aztecs

Militarist

Huitzilopochtli's Legacy

  • +2 Land Movement Speed on Unit

  • Modify Unit Industry cost by -20%

Sacrificial Altar / Jaguar Warriors

Byzantines

Merchant

Master of Whispers

  • +5% Money per Alliance on all Cities

Hippódromos / Varangian Guards

English

Agrarian

Serfs' Labor

  • +7 Food per number of attached Territories on City or Outpost

Stronghold / Longbowmen

Franks

Aesthete

Crown Lands

  • +10% Influence

Scriptorium / Franci Milites

Ghanaians

Merchant

Life of Luxury

  • +5 Money per Number of accesses to Luxury Resources.

  • +5 Money per Number of accesses to Strategic Resources.

Luxuries Market / Meharists

Khmer

Builder

Servants of Magnificence

  • +3 Industry on Makers Quarter

Baray / 

Dhanvī-gaja

Mongols

Militarist

Mounted Mayhem

  • 100% ransack on Army

Orda / Mongol Horde

Norsemen

Militarist

Stormborn

  • +3 Naval Movement Speed on Naval Units

  • +2 Combat Strength on Naval Units

Naust / Langskip

Teutons

Expansionist

Spurred by Faith

  • +1 Money per State Religion Follower

  • +1 Science per State Religion Follower

Kaiserdom / Teutonic Knights

Umayyads

Scientist

Learned Friends

  • +5% Science per Alliance on all Cities

Grand Mosque / Haras

Humankind: Early Modern Era

The Early Modern Era is marked by renewed interest in science and technology, increased exploration and international commerce, growth in the fine arts, and the large-scale adoption of gunpowder.

Humankind Early Modern Era cultures
Cultures from the Early Modern Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

In this era, Saltpetre will be available after researching Gunpowder Warfare technology.

The cultural wonders of the Early Modern Era include Machu Picchu, Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, and the Topkapi Palace.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Dutch

Merchant

Stock Wisdom

  • +1 Money per Population on all Cities.

V.O.C Warehouse / Fluyt

Edo Japanese

Aesthete

Shogun's Authority

  • +1 Influence per Population on City or Outpost

Tera / Naginata Samurai

Haudenosaunee

Agrarian

Land of Plenty

  • +1 Food on Exploitation

Three Sisters Plantation / Rotiskenrakehte

Joseon

Scientist

Hall of Wothies

  • +3 Science on Tile producing Science

Seowon / Geobukseon

Ming

Aesthete

Grand Secretariat

  • -25% cost of enacting Civic

  • -25% cost of revoking Civic

  • +1 Influence on Territory

Grand Teahouse / Rocket Cart

Mughals

Builder

Imperial Magnificence

  • +2% Industry per number of Territories in your Sphere of Influence on Capital

Jama Masjid / Gajnal

Ottomans

Expansionist

Supremacy of Fire

  • -50% on Heavy Weapon Industry cost

  • +3 Combat Strength on Heavy Weapon

Sultan Camii / Janissaries

Poles

Militarist

Deadly Ramparts

  • +10 District Fortification on District

  • +2 Stability on District

Barbican / Winged Hussars

Spanish

Expansionist

Honor and Glory

  • +3 Combat Strength on Units starting their turn in a non-allied Territory

Catedral Gótica / 

Conquistadores

Venetians

Merchant

Silver Tongues

  • +1 Money per number of Trade Routes on City or Outpost

  • +2 Money per number of Naval Trade Routes on City or Outpost

Botteghe Di Artisti / 

Galleass

Humankind: Industrial Era

The Industrial Era is marked by the shift from an agrarian to an urban lifestyle, mass production, and the widespread use of coal, steel, and the steam engine.

Humankind Industrial Era cultures
Cultures from the Industrial Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

In this era, you will have access to coal and oil, after researching the Steam Engine and Combustion Engine technologies respectively.

The cultural wonders of the Industrial Era include the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and the Eiffel Tower.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Austro-Hungarians

Aesthete

Emperor's Hand

  • +1 Influence on District

  • +1 Influence on Emblematic District

Opernhaus / Evidenzbureau Agents

British

Expansionist

Colonial Riches

  • +10 Money per number of attached Territories on Capital

  • +10 Science per number of attached Territories on Capital

Colonial Office / Redcoats

French

Scientist

Enlightened Thinking

  • +10% Science on all Cities

Exhibition Hall  / War Cuirassiers

Germans

Militarist

Iron Ordnance

  • +3 Combat Strength on Naval Unit

  • +3 Combat Strength on Air Unit

  • -20% on Unit Industry cost

Coking Works / Uboat

Italians

Aesthete

Inspiring Virtuosos

  • +10 Stability on Commons Quarter

  • +1 Influence on Commons Quarter

  • Modify Commons Quarter Industry cost by -50%

Teatro / Alpini

Mexicans

Agrarian

Fields of Gold

  • +10% Food on all Cities

Hacienda / Soldaderas

Persians

Builder

Mighty Works

  • Reduces Shared Project Industry cost by -25%

  • Reduces all Constructibles Industry cost by -25%

Caravanserai / Jazayerchis

Russians

Expansionist

Land and Glory

  • +10 experience on creating Unit per number of attached Territories on all Cities

  • +10 War Support increased when capturing a City on Relations

Sobor / Cossacks

Siamese

Builder

Gilded Orchids

  • +3 Industry per District on all Cities

  • +1 Money generated from on-going Trade on all Cities

Floating Market / 

Gatling Elephant

Zulu

Militarist

Warrior's Pride

  • +50% Health regeneration on Unit

  • +2 Combat Strength on Units starting their turn in an allied Territory

Warrior's Izindlu / Impi

Humankind: Contemporary Era

The Contemporary Era is the last era within Humankind, marked by sharp growth in the discovery and exploitation of technologies in every facet of life--transportation, communication, agriculture, politics, finance and economics.

Humankind Contemporary Era cultures
Cultures from the Contemporary Era (Picture: Amplitude Studios)

In this era, Aluminium and Uranium will be available after researching Aerial Warfare and Uranium Enrichment technologies respectively.

The cultural wonders of the Contemporary Era include the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, and Christ the Redeemer.

Culture

Affinity

Legacy Trait

Emblematic Quarter / Unit

Americans

Expansionist

American Exceptionalism

  • +10 Influence on Resources being sold

  • +1 Money generated from on-going Trade on City or Outpost

Defense Agency / Lightning

Australians

Builder

Dream Weavers

  • +20% Industry on all Cities

Strip Mining Complex / All Terrain PMV

Brazilians

Agrarian

Lungs of the Planet

  • +3 Food on Tile producing Food

Agronomy Lab / Jungle Brigades

Chinese

Merchant

Silk Railroad

  • +10% Money on all Cities

People's Congress / Guardians

Egyptians

Aesthete

Valley of Kings

  • +4 Influence on Emblematic District

Archaeological Dig / Free Officers

Indians

Aesthete

Economic Elephant

  • +3 Influence on Territory

  • +10 Money per Number of Territories in your sphere of influence

Ashram / Peacekeepers

Japanese

Scientist

Blossoming Innovation

  • -20% on all Technology cost when researching

Robotics Lab / Reisen

Soviets

Expansionist

Red Tide

  • -20% on Unit Industry cost

  • +3 Combat Strength on Unit

Arms Factory / Red Army Tank

Swedes

Scientist

Prize Science

  • +1 Science per District on all Cities

  • +3 Science on Research Quarter

Research Institute / Stealth Corvette

Turks

Agrarian

People's Reforms

  • +1 Food per Population on all Cities

Public School / Stealthy Operative Missile

And that’s all we got to share with you about every culture you can choose in Humankind. With all this info, now it’s up to you to make your best strategy and create an all-mighty empire that transcends time.

For more on the gaming industry, check out our general video games section, filled with news, guides and much more.

Header image via Amplitude Studios.