The success of an empire may be measured by the health and size of its population. Population, in Age of Mythology, defines how large your empire may grow.  All units that are trained occupy population slots. Villagers, Laborers and Gatherers have a small impact on your population, and take only one slot. Soldiers generally occupy two to three slots, while some myth units can occupy five or more slots.

Building <link="proto:house">Houses</link> and <link="proto:Settlement Level 1">Town Centers</link> is a way to increase your population limit. Remember, you can never run out of Settlements, because you can always steal more from your enemy.