- BGG rank
- BGG #2,615
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Alea Iacta Est
- 2–5 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2009
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,451
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Circus Maximus
2008
Rules assistance for Circus Maximus
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 45 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Circus Maximus
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Circus Maximus is a board game released in 2008 for 3–5 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Jeffrey D. Allers.
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About the game
In 2nd Century Rome, the people were offered plenty of entertainment options: chariot races in the Circus Maximus, dramatic performances in the Pompeius Theater, gladiatorial battles in the Colosseum—visitors flocked to these events, clamoring to get in to experience the excitement. Especially in demand were seats in the section next to Caesar’s box, offering the best view. But these seats were not cheap to obtain and could only be bought by knowing the right people. The black market boomed! Each of the 3-5 players is leader of a gang of black market traders, who try to get the best tickets themselves so that they can make a hefty profit hawking them to wealthy tourists and senators. But each of the other gangs wants to enlarge its piece of the black market and supplant its rivals. Who can find the right tactics to make the most cash for the least effort? The players send their traders to Caesar’s villa to obtain favors. Afterwards they try to buy the most lucrative tickets at the Forum Romanum. And finally, the traders race to the three venues to sell their tickets to the wealthiest visitor. After 3 days of events, the player with the most coins wins the game.
Questions and answers
Circus Maximus supports 3–5 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 Circus Maximus is 45 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 Circus Maximus for ages 10 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.
Circus Maximus has a complexity rating of 2.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Circus Maximus belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Economic. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Circus Maximus and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Circus Maximus are: Jeffrey D. Allers. 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 Circus Maximus 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.