Overview

Caesar’s Legions is a board wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1975 that simulates various Roman military campaigns in Gaul and Germany during the era of Julius Caesar. The game covers multiple scenarios representing different battles and campaigns from the Gallic Wars. Players command either the Roman legions or the barbarian forces opposing them.

Components

• 1 map board (22” x 28”) depicting Gaul and Germany
• Over 400 die-cut counters (Roman and barbarian units)
• 16-page rulebook
• Playing aids and charts
• Tactical cards
• Dice

Setup

1. Select a scenario from the rulebook.
2. Place the map between both players.
3. Deploy Roman units and barbarian units according to the selected scenario’s setup instructions.
4. Distribute tactical cards if used in the scenario.
5. Place playing aids and charts where both players can reference them.

Turn Structure

Each turn represents a period of the campaign:

1. Roman Player Phase: Move Roman units and initiate combat.
2. Barbarian Player Phase: Move barbarian units and initiate combat.
3. Administrative Phase: Check supply, reinforcements, and campaign progress.

Actions

Movement:

• Units move across the hex map up to their movement allowance.
• Terrain types (forests, rivers, mountains, roads) affect movement costs.
• Roman roads provide faster movement for Roman units.

Combat:

• Combat occurs between adjacent enemy units.
• Calculate odds ratio (attacker strength vs. defender strength).
• Roll dice and consult the Combat Results Table (CRT).
• Results include eliminations, retreats, exchanges, and no effect.
• Terrain and fortifications modify combat results.

Tactical Cards:

• Special tactical cards may be played to modify combat or movement in specific situations.

Supply:

• Units must be in supply to operate at full effectiveness.
• Roman supply lines are more organized; barbarian supply is more flexible but less reliable.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions vary by scenario and typically involve controlling key territories, destroying enemy forces, or achieving specific campaign objectives within the turn limit.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Multiple Scenarios: The game includes several scenarios covering different battles and campaigns from Caesar’s Gallic Wars, providing significant replayability.
• Roman Organization: Roman legions have advantages in organization, supply, and road movement, reflecting their historical military superiority.
• Barbarian Numbers: Barbarian forces are often more numerous but less organized, with weaker individual units and supply.
• Fortifications: Roman siege works and camps provide defensive bonuses, reflecting the Roman engineering advantage.
• Campaign System: Some scenarios link together to form a campaign game, where results from one battle affect the next.

Player Reference

Faction	Strengths	Weaknesses
Roman	Organization, roads, supply, fortifications	Fewer numbers, distant from home
Barbarian	Numbers, local knowledge, flexibility	Weaker organization, supply issues

Combat: Odds-ratio CRT with terrain modifiers Map: 22” x 28” hex map of Gaul and Germany Scenarios: Multiple, covering different Gallic War campaigns