"The last copy of Alea Iacta Est " Topic

Back in 1995 I published the last edition of Alea Iacta Est - rules to wargame the rise of the Roman empire. Now the cupboard is bare, the last (unused) phyisical copy is sitting there on its own.

If you manage the best post on this thread as to why you should have the last copy (signed or unsigned, you choose). I will pop it in the post to you. This ends on the first day of 2005, so get those posts up before January the 2nd.

For more information about Alea Iacta Est, see

3vwargames.co.uk/rules2.htm

Well, a very fine offer indeed.

Allow me to pontificate upon why I feel I should get the prize.

I have held a fascination with the Roman Republic and Empire since I was a young boy. Other historical interests would pop in and pop out, but Rome would come raging back. This eventually led me to major in Classics, the study of Greek and Roman literature and history. A requisite series of courses for my degree included gobs of Latin (Ceasar, of course, Catullus, Cicero, many other lesser readings) and more literature in translation than you can shake a vitis at.

Of course, during the same time I have been a miniatures gamer. Like many other gamers, I purchased gobs of figures, wanting, nay, desiring to field my legions on the table. I have figures in both 15 and 25 mm waiting to spring upon the table to wage war for Rome.

Alas (heu, heu), I currently have no ruleset with which to make these miniature dreams come true. Lo, if a beneficent individual would take it upon himself to pass onto me a copy of these rules, named after Ceasar's most famous quote, said unto the world on the banks fo the Rubicon, not quite most famous, but actually third after the namesake of fair Justin's company and that other bit Shakespeare made up, truly I would forever be a herald of said benefactor to all and sundry who would pass by, whether gamer or non, and truly he would be blessed by the gods and his lares forever (note the Ciceronian sentence structure).

And that's why I think I should get the free swag.

Avete, Nikator

Nope, I'm the one taking the picture. These guys are friends of mine who play Romans as part of the IX Legio Hispana. Osprey took pictures of them for one of their upcoming books.

legio-ix-hispana.org

Wyatt

I should get it because a good set of rules is all I need to suck me into Ancients gaming.

Oh, and that's a way-cool picture, Wyatt. Take that, you Hun s!

Hey love the picture of the Romans. It REALLY should be captioned, "Roman recruits about to lose some weight." Just what we need to see, more fat reenactors.

:)

I don't need it Justin.....I still have three copies........

Well i'm starting a degree in Ancient History in october so not only will I be a Student (thus poor) but Im sure I could use it in my studies ( proberly stretching it a bit their).

well thats why I think I should be the lucky one.

Because, Justin, we rarely agree about anything. And if you send it to me, I will never read it, but keep it intact so that my heirs will have a valuable collectible to sell on eBay when I am gone. Particularly if you sign it.

John/ I will look out and see if I have one of my own copies going spare (not the special last copy). Then at least you will have a set of 'historical' set of ancient rules available :)

John,

Justin hates me more than he does you. We should cut the copy in two and each get half. :)

Mike B

PS ... Justin, how do you recommend that figures be based for your rules??? And how many figures does each army need?

'cause I'm a poor gamer who was out of work for 6 months and can't yet afford to buy rules.

Actually, I suspect Wyatt should get it, if only to reward him for that picture :)

Justin, I think you ought to present it to Rob Broom of Warhammer Historical Wargames, to be placed in the GW museum in Lenton, as an example of an historical ruleset that does not use images of GW products, with or without permission.

Allen

"PS ... Justin, how do you recommend that figures be based for your rules??? And how many figures does each army need?"

Just for interests sake Mike,

my rules do not require a fixed basing system, just that both players use the same!

From experience in playing the game, I suggest unit sizes of 10-20 for cavalry, 10-12 for light infantry and 12-30 for close order infantry.

Don't worry, as soon as I can find some time I will put an improved version up on the net, where they can download for free - I think all rules should be free, its the figures and accessories that are where the big bucks are to be made. Gradually perhaps even improve the production values, although I will doubt if I ever reach the giddy heights of GW standards.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, you are going to have to dig out those D10's and average dice from behind the cupboard or wherever else you left them.

Thanks folks for the contributions. As dictator of VVV I have decided to bestow the last physical copy of Alea Iacta Est to jdarnold.

However to reward those contibuting I will send out some free Imperial Roman transfers to all those who took part.

Send me the address you would like them to go to (and the sizes of figures you use) to

endof2004@3vwargames.co.uk

Joy to me! Email with details on the way ...