ALEA IACTA EST ITERUM
(the Die Is Cast...Again)
Crisis in the Roman Empire - 60 BC
By Richard Hands
London - Saturday 9 November 2013
By
60BC, Rome faced a looming political crisis. Economic changes had driven
thousands off the land and into the slums of Rome, creating a hungry,
unemployed urban underclass - the feared Roman mob - while the formation
of a standing army to deal with the myriad problems of Empire had created
a professional force that could often be more loyal to its generals than
the state. Now Rome is home to several larger than life personalities
who have taken to heart the lessons of Sulla and Marius and now manipulate
the mob and seek military postings to gain hold of the levers of power.
Three men in particular; Pompey, Caesar and Crassus, form the so-called
Triumvirate ('Three Man Committee') that could bring down the Republic.
Against them stand the silver-tongued nouveau riche lawyer Cicero and the incorruptable Cato the Younger, attempting to preserve a Republic that has stood for four and a half centuries - the longest consecutive period of popularly elected government that any state has ever had. Many more are unconvinced by either side, and look to their own best advantage.
The game will deal with battles across the floor of the Senate and on the hustings in the streets of Rome, as well as in the provinces across Europe, Africa and Asia, as Rome's crisis plays out throughout the Empire. And Rome's neighbours face both threats and opportunities at such a nervous time. In Egypt, the tottering dynasty of the Ptolemies is up for grabs due to a disputed will, but its vast granaries are also potentially a knife held against Rome's throat. And to the east, the Parthian Empire, Rome's only real military rival, but also riven by internal divisions, plays a deadly game of chess across the kingdoms of Asia Minor and the Middle East. The future of the entire known world will hang on the course of the next few years.
NEW! The PROVISIONAL CAST LIST is here.
This is a re-run for the megagame of the First Triumvirate, last played in 2005. Played roles available include:
| Romans | |||
| Triumvirate | Caesar, Crassus, Pompey and their hangers on | 6-10 players | |
| Republicans | Cato, Cicero and supporters of the Republican constitution | 6-9 players | |
| Non-aligned | Lucullus, Brutus and others not yet convinced by either side |
4-11 players | |
| Civil Service | Quaestors trying to keep the government running | 2-3 players | |
| Egyptians | Pharaoh Ptolemy XII and his court | 5-6 players | |
| Parthians | King of Kings Phraates III and his squabbling sons | 4-6 players | |
| Independents | Minor kingdoms such as Armenia, Nabatea and Dacia, struggling to stay independent | 3-6 players | |
| CONTROL | Attempting to keep order | 10-12 |
If you have been booked in and given a role, pay your game fee securely on line here with Paypal (you don't need a paypal account to pay using a credit or debit card)
If you'd like to play Alea Iacta Est and you haven't yet been allocated a role the contact us to book.
© Megagame Makers 2013