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The Punic Wars were arguably the most significant armed struggle in all of antiquity. Over the course of more than a century the two most powerful nations in the Mediterranean battled for supremacy. The forces involved, and the casualties suffered by both sides, were far greater than in any wars fought before modern times. The outcome of the wars was even greater. For Carthage it meant total destruction. For Rome it meant rising from a regional power to become the dominant military force that would rule Europe and North Africa for hundreds of years to come.

In this first title in the new Ancient Warfare series of games the primary focus is on the land battles from the second Punic War. The time period chosen (300-200BC) is designed to encompass battles Rome fought not only against Carthage, but against their neighboring Italian states, as well as the subjugation of Celtic and Iberian tribes, and the bloody fights with the Epirotes. Try your hand as a Consul of Rome, Hannibal, King Pyrrhus, or one of the other captains in numerous historical conflicts. You may also face off against an opponent in a balanced hypothetical match from the "table top series" of battles included.

$49.95

There are 41 scenarios included (17 historical, 8 hypothetical & 16 from the Table Top Series) covering actions such as Cannae, Asculum, Heraclea & Trebbia. The Table Top Series (TTS) are scenarios made up of evenly matched armies based on points based on the concepts of many of the miniature gaming rules in existence for this time period of gaming.

Download Punic Wars Expansion Pack #1 for an additional 17 scenarios.

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In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios and also create their own Order of Battles. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors but also on how to calculate points for your army and even how to modify the stock graphics if a player so desires, called "Paint your own army". 38 maps are also included in the game covering historical locations and random ones, so a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to use creating custom battles.

The Ancient Warfare engine is a hex based, tactical, plot - simultaneous resolution engine. A game turn is composed of 3 phases - Each player assigns commands to his units; movement, changing formation etc. The computer then determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out. Shooting and combat is automatic. At this point the players watch the outcome. The game then moves on to the next turn.

Game Scale: Each hex represents a distance of 20 meters. Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

The game may be played against the computer AI or via E-mail against another person.

$49.95