"Looking for Biblical era rules & sources 1000-850 BC Levant" Topic

I'm trying to find region and era-specific rules that cover ancient Israelites, Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Arameans, if possible. Very interested in how they fought, how chariotry worked then, and are there rule sets that cover these sorts of battles in detail (and not 2000BC-500AD ancient battles). Thanks!

Are these rules close enough?
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If you really want to understand warfare in the early/middle Bronze Age, you need to buy this -

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Well worth the price.

Both those look interesting, thank you. "To Ur is Human" is a bit too early for this project, but I'll order it anyway. The other books I didn't know about. I'll have to track those down. Thanks again!

Did you SEE the price?

NatusM, they are the standard texts on the subject. Heavily illustrated and well written.
As far as the rules go, I think you are better off using To Ur is Human as a basis for the slightly later period, at least they are in the right ballpark. Once you've read through the Art of Warfare, you will be able to modify as needed.

"Did you SEE the price?"

Yes, but I've got several organs I'm not using at the moment, so… ;)

Thanks, mnascati. I'm looking for the FoG rules from that period. How does "Holy Hack" stand up against other ancients rule sets?

There was another set called King David's War or something to that effect. They were written originally in Italian and available thru Venexia at one time. They were slightly tongue in cheek but specific to the era and had some interesting mechanics to handle the chariots. I regret selling my copy off years ago.

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I've got a copy of Holy Hack somewhere in my collection but was not motivated enough to actually put toys on the table to try them out. As I recall, they are a fairly old school set of rules somewhat similar in style to WRG 6th.

Part of the problem is that we really don't know how chariots were employed. We can assume that the lighter two man chariots associated with the Mitanni and Egyptians were highly mobile missile platforms but after that it all gets pretty murky. It seems unlikely that chariots would charge home against other chariots or formed infantry.

I have 4 Bronze Age armies and my rules of choice are Mortem et Gloriam. I'm not sure they capture this period particularly well but they are fun.

Ancient Warfare podcast did a very good program on chariot warfare.

NatusM, I've never played any other rules but DBA for ancient era games. I had several broke age armies a few years ago, though all were foot armies, no chariots, except for Sumerian onager carts.

Triumph does a good job with biblical era armies.

It covers Chariots and the low quality levy and light troops from that era.

I have used it to play Kadesh and Troy.

Chariots are treated as missile platforms for most of the armies in that time period, some are mobile transports for elite warriors depending on the army.

wgcwar.com

To Ur is Human is quite flexible I think. Yes it is for earlier period but I'd suggest you can adapt it easily to accommodate other troop types.
Its also written plain and simple….and cheap as.

Kind David and Holy Hack would be the two rule sets focussing on the period. There are specific supplements for Warhammer Ancient Battles, Hail Ceasar and Swordpoint (maybe more).

I would be sceptical if "more focus" means "better rules" in every case, though. And from my experience most rules writers accept one view of how chariots fought and don't bother to explain why they chose that approach and not one other (and why should they – rules are not meant to be academic works but based upon academic works).

There are at least two different schools of thought, one favouring the "missle plattform" view, the other the "Knights/Shock" view. Nigel Stillman here link argues for the later I would say (which I find pretty convincing). Unfortunately Mr. Stillman only "bashes the myths" by giving his opinion as fact, which I find horrible

Here are two free rulesets:
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Thanks, all! Very helpful!

If you have a nearby university library they may have a copy of Yadin's book. That is how I got to read it.

For ancients, including Biblicals, I like To the Strongest.

FWIW, some fiction writers have described chariot vs. chariot combat in terms of biplane combat, circling, shooting, trying to get into good position for the kill.

I have an extensive blog on the Sumerian period…which is not what you are after….however, you might find the rules adaptation for PP Blood Barons to be useful for ideas. If To Ur is Human gets you going then you will want to have a closer look for some good info.

Also, you can see plenty of the Warlord biblical range of figures painted up for some mass battle ideas. The period you have in mind is covered by Newline Design with a range of 28mm figures that don't really mix that well with the Warlord figures.

Are you going mass battle or mass skirmish?

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Happy Wanderer,

Love your blog. It got me to working on my own adaptation of the setting for a Field of Glory campaign

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