
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,630
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Hoplite: Warfare in the Greco-Persian Age 5th-4th Century BC
- 1–4 players
- 60–480 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2014

2005
Rules assistance for Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II is a board game released in 2005 for 1–2 players, 1,800 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Richard H. Berg and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation.
The Ancient World system moves to the Punic Wars, the greatest event in the ancient world and a true turning point in history. Carthage concentrates on Punic events that take place in Carthage/Africa as well as Sicily, with the main scenario being the massive First Punic War. Building on the popular mechanics and systems of Rise of the Roman Republic (Vol I), Carthage includes the full, advances naval system, with galley battles, fleet building expanding ports, and everything featured in the unusual, truly naval war that was the First Punic War. In addition, the detailed political systems for both powers, the soul of the game and a set of mechanics that truly puts the players in the heart of ongoing events, are expanded and clarified. With the addition of rules for the Reduction and Repair of city defenses, militia, and the ability of garrisons to Sally, sieges are now more than just sideshows. Carthage still uses The Ancient World's unique combat system, with its unusual Unpredictable Results, elephants, cavalry pursuit, and the dangers of fighting too many battles. Carthage's main scenario is, of course, the First Punic War, a twenty year affair that will take some time to play, but keep you entranced for years. The game also includes quick, one evening scenarios, including the playtester two-turn favorite Hiero; Hero or Gyro?, the twisty opening year of the First Punic War. We also have short scenarios for the first invasion of Carthage by Agathocles of Syracuse (311 BC) and the infamous Mercenary War that erupted in Carthage right after the First Punic War (241 BC). Carthage contains one full-sized map - the slightly redone Italy map (we've expanded rivers to a three-tiered system and corrected some tangential map errata) - plus a half-map for Carthage and Africa. The 1000+ full-color counters include every Roman magistrate of the era plus lots of Libyans, Numidians, Egyptians, Iberians, Celts ... if they were there, they're in this game. Also, part of the game package is a expanded group of play-aid charts, prompted by playtester insistence, to help keep track of the many details that campaigning can require. Carthage is the Punic War's game that ancients and gaming aficionados have been waiting for since the beginning of the wargame hobby. Detailed and demanding, it provides players with a highly playable leel of insight, decision-making, and just pure Fun. Game Features TIME SCALE 1 year per turn MAP SCALE 13 miles per hex UNIT SCALE Strength point = either 500 men; 300 cavalry; 10 elephants COMPONENTS 1,120 full-color counters (4 countersheets of 280 counters) One 22" x 33" Game Map [Italy, Sicilia, Sardinia, Corsica] One 22" x 17" game map [part of North Africa around Carthage] One "The Ancient World Series" Rules Booklet (v2) One "Carthage" Rules Booklet Two Charts and Tables Folders (Player Aid 1 & 2 - front/back) One Augury Event Chart One Advanced Naval Rules Charts & Tables One Roman Political Charts & Tables One Carthaginian Political Charts & Tables One Carthaginian Political & Manpower Display One Roman/Syracuse-Mercenary Army Display (front/back) One Carthaginian Army Display One Roman/Syracuse-Mercenary Occupation City Display (front/back) One Carthaginian Occupation City Display One 10-sided die Designer: Richard Berg Developer: Alan Ray Art Director: Rodger B. MacGowan Map Art: Mark Simonitch Counters: Rodger B. MacGowan and Mark Simonitch (from GMT website and BGG users)
Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II supports 1–2 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II is 1,800 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II has a complexity rating of 4.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II belongs to these categories: Wargame and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II are: Richard H. Berg. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Carthage: The First Punic War – The Ancient World, Vol. II as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.