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- BGG #3,196
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Circus Maximus
- 2–10 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 1979
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,167
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Gladiator
1981
Rules assistance for Gladiator
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 15–30 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.9/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Gladiator
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Gladiator is a board game released in 1981 for 2–6 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Michael J. Matheny and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Player Elimination, and Dice Rolling.
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About the game
Prior to publication by The Avalon Hill Game Co, Gladiator was part of the two-in-one Battleline game Circus Maximus. The savage splendor and pageantry of ancient Rome lives again in this game of man-to-man gladiatorial combat. Each player assumes the role of one of a matched pair of gladiators pitted in a contest of arms to the death. Superbly trained and equipped for the sole purpose of entertaining the citizenry with their life and death struggles, each man must fight with all the skill he can muster for his very survival. There is no question of bravery in the arena. It is kill or be killed and each man must muster all the skills and cunning he can summon in this most desperate of battles for survival. There can be only one victor in the arena and few second chances for the loser, for missus can be granted the fallen only at the whim of the emperor. And all too often mercy takes the form of a quick end on an opponent's blade. Let the games begin! To begin a game you select a gladiator with a set of ratings which determine his various fighting skills. With simultaneous movement, achieved through pre-plotted moves, you then attempt to gain a positional advantage against your adversary. Once in striking range you must then decide on a combination of attacks and defensive measures to weaken, wound or kill your opponent. Heavy gladiators are equipped with a shield and considerable armour, while lights may come protected by a few select pieces of armour. A lightly armoured retarius, employing a net and trident, poses a different set of challenges and strategies. If your fate comes down to a decision by the Emperor, just hope that you put on a sufficiently exciting show for the crowd.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- The Avalon Hill Game Co
Questions and answers
Gladiator supports 2–6 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 Gladiator is 15–30 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 Gladiator for ages 14 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.
Gladiator has a complexity rating of 2.9 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.
Gladiator belongs to these categories: Fighting, Economic, and Wargame. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Player Elimination, and Dice Rolling. 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 Gladiator are: Michael J. Matheny. 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 Gladiator 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.