Alexandros & Spartacus (Preorder)

Manufacturer:

Compass Games

Estimated Release Date: 2023

Preorder items are not yet available. The quantity available and “in stock” notations are the quantities we have available for advance order.

If there are other items on the order, the entire order will not ship until all preorders release.

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Alexandros & Spartacus features not one but two great ancient games designed by Mike Markowitz that originally appeared in Command magazine in 1991 and 1992, garnering numerous Charles S. Roberts Award nominations and awards – Alexandros and I Am Spartacus. This expanded edition features both games along with their multiple expansions, three in total, to round out this impressive package with two full-size game maps and updated graphics throughout.

Alexandros: Conquest & Empire, 334-323 BC is a two-player simulation of the campaigns of Alexander the Great of Macedon. One player takes the role of that fabled king, leading the Macedonians and a coalition of Greek city-states against the Persian Empire. The opponent takes the role of the Persian King of Kings Darius III (and possibly his successors). The Persian player also controls three independent Indian states and some barbarian tribes.

On the main “strategic” area map, one inch equals 80 miles and one game turn represents three months of calendar time. On the abstract battle display map, distances represent various frontages depending on the size of each individual battle. In large engagements that’s about 3,000 yards, total, and each round of combat represents 15 to 30 minutes. Each unit of manuever represents formation of between 1,000 and 5,000 me. There are three main unit types: heavy infantry, light infantry, and heavy cavalry. Other countries represent individual leaders of note, Persian treasury, the Gordian Knot, the Oracle of Ammon, and Princess Roxana.

In addition to the main scenario, two shorter scenarios are also included. One covers the initial wars fought among Alexander’s Successors after his death, as the Macedonian Empire broke apart into regional competing powers each rules by one of his former generals. The other covers the fabled “Anabasis,” the breakout to the sea of the 1,000 Greek mercenaries as described by Xenophon.

I am Spartacus is a two-player simulation of the Third Servile War, the slave revolt that shook the Roman Republic to its foundation from 73-71 BC. One player takes the role of the Senate, attempting to manage simultaneous foreign and domestic crisis. The opponent, the “Rebel player,” takes the role of Spartacus, the famous gladiator who led the revolt.

Ages: 14+
Players: 2
Game Length: 180-240 minutes