Merging action and strategy in a setting that replicates the atmosphere of the period, The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome allows players to take control of a series of campaigns against Barbarian hordes, while carving out the Roman Empire.

Over 100 battles are available for play including the Punic and Samnite Wars, and Julius Caesar's conquest of Britain. Players can customize and control massive armies with an array of soldiers including legionaries, archers, cavalry and even mighty war-elephants. The game delivers battle realism in various environments, including steppe, forest, desert and coastline, with both day and night lighting.

Players can also choose to either plan their own battle tactics by selecting an army to suit a gameplay situation, or they can leave strategy decisions to the AI, freeing them to be involved in nothing but action!

The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome also features 3D special effects and instant control response.

In addition, 30 program clips from the archives of The History Channel have been specially blended and narrated to match the game and guide the player through the greatest story of all time.

"As a long-time fan of Slitherine's work, it gives me great pleasure to enter into a publishing agreement with such a high caliber developer of proven strategy titles,” said CDV USA’s Marketing and Public Relations Director, Mario Kroll. “Slitherine excels at offering accessible yet historically respectful titles that will resonate with CDV's traditional strategy and military gaming enthusiast customers, and represents a welcome addition to our broad product portfolio."

“We are extremely pleased that CDV are to handle the North American PC release of The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome,” commented Slitherine’s Iain McNeil. “Their reputation and record of releases in the strategy games field make them an excellent fit for us and we are fully confident that they will do a great job. We are looking forward to what promises to be a lasting working relationship.”

Carrie Trimmer, Director of Licensing – The History Channel: "We are very pleased to be working with Slitherine and Black Bean on the development of The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome of Rome, the first international console game to be released under our brand. The History Channel is always looking for ways to make history experiential for our viewers, and by giving them the power to build their own armies and plot battle strategy, this game truly allows players to be a part of the building of the Roman Empire."

CDV USA will ship The History Channel: Great Battles of Rome (PC version only) to North American retail in September 2007.