Mesopotamia

Overview

Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization is a strategy game by Klaus-Jurgen Wrede (creator of Carcassonne) published by Phalanx/Mayfair Games in 2005. Players lead primitive tribes, gathering resources, building huts, and making offerings to the gods in ancient Mesopotamia. The modular board creates a different landscape each game. The first player to make all required offerings to the gods wins.

Components

• Modular hex board tiles
• Tribe member meeples (4 colors)
• Resource tokens (stone, wood, mana)
• Offering tokens
• Hut pieces
• Cards

Setup

1. Build the starting map from modular hex tiles.
2. Each player places their starting tribe members.
3. Place resource tokens on appropriate hexes.
4. Set up the offering requirements.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Move your tribe members across the hex map.
2. Gather resources from hexes where your members are located.
3. Build huts or other structures using resources.
4. Make offerings to the gods at sacred sites.

Actions

Movement

• Move tribe members between connected hex tiles.
• Terrain affects movement cost.

Gathering

• Collect resources (stone, wood, mana) from hexes containing those resources.
• Members must be present on the hex to gather.

Building

• Construct huts from gathered resources.
• Huts provide benefits and may be required for certain actions.

Offerings

• Deliver specific resource combinations to sacred sites.
• Each offering brings you closer to victory.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to complete all required offerings to the gods wins immediately.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The modular board creates different layouts each game.
• Resource hexes can be depleted.
• Players compete for control of key resource locations.
• Mana is a special resource needed for divine offerings.

Player Reference

Turn: Move tribe members -> Gather resources -> Build structures -> Make offerings

Win condition: First to complete all required offerings

Resources: Stone, Wood, Mana