#354 w/Eagles of Rome I - Caesar

Eagles of Rome is a grand tactical two-player system for battles of the Roman Era, from the Republic through the Empire to the early Byzantine era. Caesar covers the battles of the Late Republic to the Early Empire (roughly 120 BC to AD 250). Players command armies of various types of forces, from Roman legions to barbarian hordes, with distinctions between melee and fire combat, plus special tactics. Morale is a critical factor. Caesar is played in scenarios. Each scenario represents a historical battle. The rules are in three sections. The first contains the Standard Rules common to all games in the series. The second is the Optional section, which gives rules that players can use at their option or not. The third is the Scenario section for specific battles.

Each hex on the map represents 100-200 meters across, depending on the battle. Each game turn represents 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the intensity of the action. Units represent three to five Roman cohorts, their equivalents, or amorphous groupings of irregulars (1,000 to 3,000 men, based on the era and efficiency of the army). Leaders represent single great commanders, war chiefs or the staff of a legion or other higher formation.

22 x 34-inch game map and a sheet of 176 5/8-inch counters. Design by Joseph Miranda.

Additional feature articles:

• Gettysburg, Day 2: Ever since the end of the Civil War, many historically minded Americans have considered Gens. Daniel Sickles and James Longstreet as having been responsible for critical blunders and lost opportunities during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The controversial reputations of both those commanders have waxed and waned in studies of that day ever since. Here is our analysis.
  
• Wake Island, 1941: “Enemy on Island, Issue in Doubt” Wake Island’s strategic importance was recognized well before war broke out between the US and Japan, with jurisdiction over the island transferred to the Navy in 1934. The Japanese wanted it for an observation post, refueling station and as part of their expanding empire’s outer defensive perimeter. Here is our analysis of the battle that raged for it from 8 to 23 December 1941.
  
• Beirut 1982: Urban Guerilla War The conflict in Lebanon from 1975 to 1984 was the longest and deadliest fought in the Middle East prior to the present-day Gaza War. This article analyzes the strategies and tactics, as well as the weapons used, and also clarifies some confusion and myths still prevalent regarding the war and the siege of Beirut that came to be its climax.