First Man in Rome

Description

First Man in Rome is an operational simulation covering the civil war between Caesar and the Optimates, initially led by Pompey the Great and later by Scipio, Cato, and the sons of Pompey. The three maps cover the whole Mediterranean, from the Pillars of Hercules to Parthia, and from Britannia to Aegyptus. The scale is 60 km per hex with monthly turns.

The basic rules are the same used by the Charles Roberts Award winner The Fate of All. The final goal is to give a realistic representation of ancient warfare, without godly interventions and Homeric duels. Moving and feeding an army of 50,000 men will require planning, and in the end players will find that the problems faced are similar to those encountered during the Napoleonic era or the American Civil War.

All the primary classical accounts, together with a range of modern military studies, were consulted during development. In particular, De Bello Civili by Iulius Caesar has been treated as the primary ancient source, since it recounts the events from direct experience — albeit through a perspective that is, at times, unmistakably partisan.

Counters are 5/8″, each one representing two legionary cohorts, a cavalry Ala, an Auxilia formation, or a group of 20 warships. Client States like Iudaea and Cappadocia have their distinct forces, as foreign kingdoms and tribes like Parthia, Bosporus, and the Germanic Suebi.

All the relevant historical leaders are represented and are a key element for the final victory, as their abilities (or lack thereof) have a heavy impact on almost every action.

And never forget, this is a civil war where political connections and money are of the utmost importance. Client kings and free cities must be persuaded to support your faction, veteran legionaries must be convinced to enlist again under the promise of money or loot, the Roman plebs must be fed, enemy kingdoms and tribes must be kept under control… And no matter what, the unexpected always happens, and everybody could abandon you should the tide turn.

 

Battles can be fought using Strategic Combat, still realistic but quicker, or to their full extent using the Tactical Rules and Map – probably the best choice for a decisive battle.

 

Components

• 3x 80×60 cm matte plasticized Maps, covering the Mediterranean, Gaul, and near East.
• 1x 80×60 cm matte plasticized Battle Map
• 9x matte plasticized counter sheets
• 30x Event Cards
• Rules Booklet
• Scenarios & Designers’ Notes Booklet
• Strategikon Booklet, containing examples and suggestions for the Consuls
• 2x Charts & Tables booklets
• 14x Player Aid Charts
• 2x 10-sided dice
• 1x poster to be displayed at the entrance to the Senate
• 10x zipbags

Game Highlights

• 60 km per hex, one month per turn
• Units representing various formations, from Legionary Cohorts to Elephants
• Order of battle and commanders based on primary sources and the most recent historical research
• Realistic supply problems with realistic and possibly violent solutions
• Cavalry Reconnaissance, Foraging and Raiding
• Reaction Movement, not so easy retreats and catastrophic routs
• Attrition and Army Morale, your first problems in the morning
• Naval Warfare
• Client States, Free Cities, enemy Kingdoms, hostile barbarians
• Clementia, Revolts, Treachery and worse
• Five different scenarios with increasing complexity:
  SENATUS CONSULTUM ULTIMUM – The Italian Campaign, 49 BCE
  VOLUNTAS ET FORTUNA – The First Campaign in Hispania, 49 BCE
  AD COLLISIONEM – The Clash in Macedonia, 48 BCE
  NILUS LETALIS – The Alexandrian War and Pharnaces, 48 – 47 BCE
  DE BELLO CIVILI – The Roman Civil War, 49 – 45 BCE

Cost & Availability

150 euros, VAT included where applicable. Available now, as usual in limited quantity.
USA copies shipped from USA, Canada copies shipped from Europe or US depending on availability, Rest of the World copies shipped from Europe.