I am passionate about wargaming, a hobby deeply tied to my love for history. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from reading, watching, and analyzing historical events, particularly focusing on why and how they unfolded. My favorite historical period is Antiquity, with a special fascination for Ancient Rome, both in its Republican and Imperial eras.
After studying historical events, their motives, drivers, and limitations, I find it very enjoyable to recreate them through wargames. While hindsight and known outcomes can influence tactics and strategies, exploring what if scenarios remains incredibly engaging.
Today, I want to talk about my favorite boardgames centered on… Julius Caesar, covering both tactical and strategic levels, specifically focusing on his two major conflicts: the Conquest of Gaul and the Civil War against Pompey. I am eager to hear your recommendations in this area. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
Other articles in the series:
1) Julius Caesar by Columbia Games
Columbia Games published one of the best and time-resistant titles about the Rome ever created – Julius Caesar. It has one map, one scenario, one set-up (well, two if you count the free one 🙂 ). Still, it is such an engrossing and interesting title, with each game going into completely different direction.
Couple of more words about that product should you not know it. Julius Caesar is a game driven by cards, but much fewer types than for example in C&C Ancients. They mainly allow to activate units, levy new ones and use some of interesting events. The map shows whole Mediterranean area and the historical topic is very attractive – Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.
There are really interesting battle mechanics here: we have faster units – like leaders and archers (designed A or B) and much slower but usually more powerful – like legions or navy (C and D). That actually drives the order in battle which is also influenced by the fact who is attacker and who defender – with latter inflicting hits first in each A-D group.
What is more, there is a huge dose of hidden information – Julius Caesar brings to players a very high uncertainty in the battle – do not confuse with randomness. With the strength of units concealed till the last moment before clash, one can be really surprised by what the opponent prepared for you.
Julius Caesar also forces players to think more strategically but on the other hand has enough easy rules for everybody to quickly grasp them and enjoy the game almost immediately. Last but not least, this is very interesting game from historical point of view – it really nicely depicts location and disposition of both Caesar and Pompey forces, their strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you will get most of what you are getting! Highly recommended!
More about game:
2) Great Battles of Julius Caesar by GMT Games
Great Battles of Julius Caesar Deluxe Edition brings together Caesar: The Civil Wars, published in 1994, and Caesar: Conquest of Gaul, published in 1996. These always were some of the most popular volumes in the Great Battles of History Series, following titles like The Great Battles of Alexander or SPQR.
The scenario book features 20 battles presented in a chronological order that traces the evolution of the Roman military system from early battles against various foreign foes (Marius and Sulla), Caesar’s wars in Gaul followed by Caesar’s wars against his Roman rivals, and culminating with the Roman invasion of Britain a century later.
As such, the Deluxe Edition uses the same “basic” system as the preceding titles in the series. Let me briefly point them out: Troops activation & sequence based on Generals ratings and initiative system (with possibility for trump and momentum!); Battle resolution based on units types, direction of attack, size of units, weapons system, etc.; Cohesion and Troops Quality as decisive metrics of soldiers experience and value in battle; Rout, Rally and Depletion aspects, allowing the broken units for return to fight and many more mechanics making this system pretty detailed simulation.
With huge focus on the Gallic War and second Roman Civil War, that makes for a fantastic tactical system to reenact the feats of Julius Caesar. And while nobody really knows exactly how the ancient battles were fought, this game does a pretty good job in trying to simulate them from the few facts we know for sure.
More about game:
3) Falling Sky + Ariovistus by GMT Games
This is a game about great gambit – or actually, the last stage of it – Caesar plans to conquer the Gaul and earn ever-lasting glory (plus political security) It depicts last chapters of that process – the most volatile period, as this is the time of the Great Revolt.
In a base game we have possibility to see years 54-51 BC depicted in three nice scenarios, with an expansion bringing years 58-55 BC to the table. The game follows well proven COIN (COunter INsurgency) mechanic as well as its concept – we have ever-powerful Rome (Caesar), strong but weaker direct opponents (Arverni, Belgae, Germans) and humble, but playing their own agenda Aedui.
Who will outsmart others? Who will betray Allies in the best moment and turn against them? And who will be smart enough to keep their friends close but enemies even closer? These are the question which The Falling Sky – Gallic Revolt answers very well.
The Falling Sky + Ariovistus expansion is a complete game. It has all the aspects I require from a wargame – climate, fight, interesting capabilities, replayability, suspense, well incorporated random factor, etc. And despite some drawbacks (in my humble opinion) this is a superb and well made game about Julius Caesar. It really shows subjugating Gaul was not a piece of cake…
More about game:
Summary
I am really glad that there is such a variety of wargames pertaining my favorite subject – antiquity, with special focus on Julius Caesar. Ability to reenact those distant events, to feel the thrill of strategic or operational choices is a great joy for me. I hope above short list will be kind of inspiration for you guys where to look for good titles. And as already asked – share your ideas too! Enjoy!
PS. Following Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a real example from whom Caesar draw, can you really be The Best Friend and The Worst Enemy to your opponents?
The Boardgames Chronicle 
I really want to play Falling Sky one day, now that I have some COIN games under my belt.
The Great Battles game looks so intimidating!
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I believe you will lie Falling Sky – a bit different than other COINs, however very great from historical theme perspective. And GBoH – well, not an easy game – still very rewarding!
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As you know, I love the Columbia Julius Caesar – it’s such a great, infinitely replayable design. And I’d love to try Falling Sky one day!
Julius Caesar is one of the most fascinating protagonists of history to me. After decades of reading about him (and reading his own works), my assessment of him still shifts and turns. Something that has been striking me in the last years is how willing he was to gamble everything on one roll of the dice – especially in the Civil War – relying on his talents, his reputation, and his luck to defy the odds. I don’t think our sources tell us anything about him playing board games, but I bet he would have liked the games best in which skill and chance mix!
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Thanks Clio for the comment!
This is truly fascinating person (will be doing separate article on him). Achieved glory very late in life. On one hand responsible for holocaust of Gauls, on the other extremely merciful (for ancient times standards) vs his opponents – which brought his undoing. Great story which inspires to this date.
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Looking forward to your article! Caesar’s famous mercy was a poisoned offer – equals cannot be merciful to one another, but kings can be merciful to their subjects…
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Good article, and a fine selection.
My personal all time favourite Caesar game is Avalon Hill Alesia. Had a lot of fun with that one back in the days. A very good and innovative game for its time.
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Thank you for kind words. And for presenting to me another interesting title.
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