The Republic of Rome

Yesterday, my copy of the Valley Games edition of The Republic of Rome boardgame arrived. Like their reprints of Titan and Hannibal, it contained some really nice components, and so it ended up on my table last night as I attempted to decipher the solo game rules.

The game’s rulebook could be a lot better. Some of it works, other parts of it are obscure beyond reason. It’s a bit weird, actually: the game isn’t really that difficult, but some of the game rules are in the oddest places. One would expect the rules section entitled “Death Consequences” to deal with all the consequences of death, for instance. It doesn’t – a lot of really, really important rules are elsewhere.

It also has a lot of the weirdest spelling and grammar errors. Someone really needs to tell the Valley Games staff that running a spellchecker over the document is not an acceptable way of seeing if something is right.

Despite this (and a few other errors), The Republic of Rome is a game I really want to get onto the table with a few friends and play. Yes, the first game will probably take us 4-5 hours. Or a lot less, if Rome gets destroyed by Hannibal (very likely). I felt this when I first saw the game when I was back at university (or perhaps even high school), but unfortunately I never got a chance to play it then. Now I have the chance… do I have the friends?

For those wondering about what happens in the game, it works like this:

You control some senators, who are jockeying to become the most influential in Rome. The main ways to become more influential are to gain key positions in the senate (one of the Consuls or the Censor) or donate money to the state. Gaining those positions is a lot easier if you’re popular – which happens when you win wars or hold games. Money? You need to sponsor knights (a class of Roman citizen), or hold concessions or be the governor of somewhere. Of course, gaining money through the last two makes you vulnerable to accusations of corruption…

Meanwhile, while you’re trying to build up your power base, Rome is under attack from outside powers: Carthage, Macedonia and several others. The senate needs to raise armies and send its representatives off to fight these wars. There’s the chance for much glory if one of your senators goes to fight a war, but there’s also the risk of that senator dying. Perhaps even more problematic is that while your senator is away, he can’t stop the horrible things the other senators are doing in the Senate behind his back!

The heart of the game revolves around the Senate: the jockeying for power between all the senators. Each turn, you need to elect the new Consuls and Censor, determine if a Dictator is necessary to fight the wars, and then turn your mind to other things: prosecuting senators for corruption, raising armies, sending off forces, providing concessions, and making land bills. And let’s not forget that if your Senator gets too popular (or annoys the wrong players) he’s liable to be assassinated…

The solo game strips away the best part of the game – the senate – and makes it into a game where you try to guide the Republic through its dangers whilst becoming more powerful than the non-player factions. My first attempt of the solo game saw me make several rules mistakes (not helped by the rules) and the Republic being destroyed on the third turn by rampaging wars – including the 1st & 2nd Punic War with Hannibal and Hamilcar assisting.

This is one of those games that will probably work well with the crew I play Battlestar Galactica with: those crazy gamers that love negotiation and diplomacy. It’s (unfortunately) likely a little long for casual gaming, but I hope I can get it onto the table several times in the months to come.

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