
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,423
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Ambush!
- 1 player
- 180–240 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1983

2003
Rules assistance for Go Tell the Spartans
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.
Go Tell the Spartans is a board game released in 2003 for 1 player, 240 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Robert G. Markham and C. Rawling and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Square Grid, and Grid Movement.
Against the Odds magazine #6 A solitaire game simulating the three day battle for the pass at Thermopylae from 18 August to 20 August 480 B.C. Includes a 23" by 34" mapsheet, 240 half-inch die-cut counters, 8 page rule book, and two copies of reference charts. No ground scale is specified, each combat unit is 100 men, each full game turns represents one full day of time (there are action rounds and segments within each full turn). In this solitaire game the player takes on the role of Leonidas, Spartan commander in charge of the Greek forces, against the overwhelming invasion force of the Persians. The rule set governs the movement and combat of the Persians. The battle field itself only takes up a portion of the 23" by 34" mapsheet, which also areas for tracking game turns, Greek and Persian morale, and a missile fire priority diagram. The battle field has a grid (not hex) pattern. The Thermopylae pass was very narrow (20 meters at the narrowest point), so unit deployment is the essential mechanic instead of side ranging maneuvers. Although this is primarily a solitaire game, there are minor rule changes provided for two-player play (Greek and Persian sides), and even a three-player option (commanding different contingents of the Greek force).
Go Tell the Spartans supports 1 player according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Go Tell the Spartans is 240 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 Go Tell the Spartans 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.
Go Tell the Spartans has a complexity rating of 2.8 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.
Go Tell the Spartans belongs to these categories: Wargame and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Square Grid, and Grid Movement. 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 Go Tell the Spartans are: Robert G. Markham and C. Rawling. 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 Go Tell the Spartans 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.