Index: binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMap.xml
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMap.xml
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMap.xml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 	<!-- Background image -->
 	<object
+		name="minimapBackgroundTexture"
 		type="image"
 		size="4 4 100%-4 100%-4"
 		sprite="stretched:session/minimap_circle_modern.png"
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMapPanel.js
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMapPanel.js
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/minimap/MiniMapPanel.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 		this.idleWorkerButton = new MiniMapIdleWorkerButton(playerViewControl, idleWorkerClasses);
 		this.flareButton = new MiniMapFlareButton(playerViewControl);
 		this.miniMap = new MiniMap();
+		this.setCivBackgroundTexture();
 	}
 
 	flare(target, playerID)
@@ -20,4 +21,23 @@
 	{
 		return this.miniMap.isMouseOverMiniMap();
 	}
+
+	setCivBackgroundTexture()
+	{
+		const playerId = Engine.GetPlayerID();
+		// Spectator and Gaia player get the athenian's UI.
+		// WIP ToDo, maybe we could have a background for observers.
+		// 0 A.D. logo maybe.
+		let playerCiv = "athen";
+		if	(playerId > 0)
+			playerCiv = Engine.GuiInterfaceCall("GetPlayerCiv");
+
+		const backgroundObject = Engine.GetGUIObjectByName("minimapBackgroundTexture");
+
+		// WIP ToDo Remove this.
+		if (!backgroundObject)
+			return;
+
+		backgroundObject.sprite = "minimapBackground_" + playerCiv;
+	}
 }
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/sprites.xml
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/sprites.xml
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/gui/session/sprites.xml
@@ -567,4 +567,49 @@
 		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
 	</sprite>
 
+	<!-- ================================  ================================ -->
+	<!-- Minimap -->
+	<!-- WIP ToDo: Should the minimap have its own sprite.xml file for clarity? -->
+	<!-- ================================  ================================ -->
+
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_athen">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_brit">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_cart">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_gaul">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_iber">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_kush">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_maur">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_mace">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_pers">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_ptol">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_spart">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_sele">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+	<sprite name="minimapBackground_rome">
+		<image texture="session/icons/bkg/portrait_black.dds" size="0 0 100% 100%"/>
+	</sprite>
+
 </sprites>
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
@@ -1031,6 +1031,11 @@
 	return Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_RangeManager).GetEntitiesByPlayer(player);
 };
 
+GuiInterface.prototype.GetPlayerCiv = function(playerID)
+{
+	return QueryPlayerIDInterface(playerID, IID_Player).GetCiv();
+};
+
 GuiInterface.prototype.GetNonGaiaEntities = function()
 {
 	return Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_RangeManager).GetNonGaiaEntities();
@@ -2103,6 +2108,7 @@
 	"GetAllBuildableEntities": 1,
 	"SetStatusBars": 1,
 	"GetPlayerEntities": 1,
+	"GetPlayerCiv": 1,
 	"GetNonGaiaEntities": 1,
 	"DisplayRallyPoint": 1,
 	"AddTargetMarker": 1,