Hamilcar Imperator: La Guerre des Mercenaires

Hamilcar Imperator: La Guerre des Mercenaires is an Operational level Solitaire-Only board-wargame set in Carthage after the First Punic War.

At the end of the First Punic War, Carthage ceded Sicily to the Roman legions. In a gesture of magnanimity, Rome allowed the Punic garrisons holding the last strongholds to return home. Among them were Hamilcar Barca—the father of the famous Hannibal—and thousands of Celtic, Greek, and Iberian mercenaries.

Once disembarked in Africa, the soldiers began demanding their overdue pay and grew restless. The Libyans, vassals of Carthage, quickly realized that their tribute would be increased to cover the mercenaries’ wages. They made a bold gamble: they armed themselves, allied with the Numidians, poured their gold into the mercenaries’ hands, and proposed a daring plan—march on Carthage!

The player must suppress this uprising, which will quickly escalate into a bitter and unforgiving war if not contained. To do so, they will command several Punic generals—who often disagree and whose ambitions are closely watched by the suffetes. Fortunately, war elephants will help literally crush the rebellion.

Optional rules allow players to incorporate Gustave Flaubert’s Salammbô or simulate flaming pigs on the battlefield.

Scale

 1 game turn = 1 year (divided into 4 seasons)  
 1 unit = 500 to 2,000 infantry, 500 to 1,000 cavalry, or 10 elephants/siege weapons  
 Complexity: 6/10  
 Solo game

—description from the designer