
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,281
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Successors: The Battles for Alexander's Empire
- 3–4 players
- 60–300 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2008

2015
Rules assistance for Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East is a board game released in 2015 for 1–5 players, 450–600 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Richard H. Berg and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement, and Simulation.
Genesis is a game covering the turbulent Late Bronze Age in the Middle East, where kingdoms rose and fell while establishing many of the systems and ways of life that underwrite Western Civilization. Genesis is not a simulation of events during this era. Much like its ancestor game, Pax Romana, Genesis is a game that provides the players with the historical dramatis personae and allows them to forge their own empires. It also has a great emphasis on the control of the important trade routes and commercial centers and the building of the spectacular monuments these civilizations left for posterity and wonder. Genesis can be played by from one to five gamers. Each player represents one of the major Mesopotamian Bronze Age empires: Egypt, The Hittites, The Mitanni, Assyria, Babylonia. There are several “minor” kingdoms that come into play through the use of the Event Cards: Arzawa (Apasa, Milawata, Mallarima, Mira, Hindawa, Hapalla), Canaan (Hazor, Qatna, Meggido and Kadesh), and Elam (Susa). Each is trying to expand its economic reach, allowing them to build their empire to greater levels...and this will mean coming into inimical contact with each other. Gods play a major role, as do the great caravan centers of the age,bringing in luxury items from as far away as what would be Afghanistan. And then there are the peasants and slaves which who can be most useful (some times), as well as the great techno advantages in chariotry. (from Game Rules introduction)
Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East supports 1–5 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 Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East is 450–600 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 Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East 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.
Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East has a complexity rating of 3.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East belongs to these categories: Wargame, Ancient, and Civilization. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement, 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 Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East 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 Genesis: Empires and Kingdoms of the Ancient Middle East 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.