
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,430
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Trismegistus
- 1–4 players
- 90–150 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2026

2026
Rules assistance for Thessaloniki
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.
Thessaloniki is a board game released in 2026 for 1–4 players, 90–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Daniele Tascini and Federico Pierlorenzi and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Track Movement.
Thessaloniki, 4th century: the sun ascended, illuminating the Forum and the harbor's masts, bathing a city vibrant with ambition in a golden glow. Its bustling markets teemed with merchants from every corner of the empire: Greeks, Romans, Syrians, and Illyrians, all engaged in trade, intrigue, and the pursuit of wealth. Amidst the clamor, rumors of imperial favor and trade monopolies permeate the agora. Ships, laden with grains, oil, grapes, and meat, creak under their bounty, destined for distant ports or the vast granaries of powerful patricians. You are one of these patricians, competing for riches and influence. Yet only the shrewdest will rise above the chaos. In a city where commerce and politics are inseparable, your eloquence and strategic acumen forge your legacy in the annals of history. Thessaloniki is a game set during the vibrant merchant era of the Tetrarchy in the 4th century Roman Empire. Players take on the roles of ambitious traders fulfilling contracts, acquiring commodities, and trading with allied cities. Compete to sell your wares at the best prices or secure shipments to high-scoring destinations. As the game unfolds, you can climb the Influence track to sway the popularity of destinations, reaping extra rewards for aligning your shipments accordingly. Resolving contracts that offer powerful bonuses is key to becoming the most influential merchant in Thessaloniki! —description from the publisher
Thessaloniki supports 1–4 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 Thessaloniki is 90–120 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 Thessaloniki 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.
Thessaloniki 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.
Thessaloniki belongs to these categories: Economic and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Track 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 Thessaloniki are: Daniele Tascini and Federico Pierlorenzi. 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 Thessaloniki 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.