Caesar at Alesia (1976)

Caesar at Alesia simulates an epic battle in 52 BC where Julius Caesar surrounded the battered forces of the Gauls led by Vercingetorix. Knowing the Gauls had a relief force coming (of over 250,000 men), Caesar built a defensive perimeter facing outward to match his perimeter facing inward to beseige Vercingetorix. An unusual "donut" formation.

The large mapboard 33"x28" portrays the town of Alesia and all of the works built by Caesar. The Gauls have a small force trapped in the town including Vercingetorix as well as a large force which sets up in off board areas. The Gallic player must reveal which off board zones he occupies with at least 1 unit, but does NOT have give further information.

The goal of the game is for the Gauls to create an escape route for Vercingetorix and exit him off the board. The Romans must prevent this over the 20 game turns (which represents 2 days).

From "The Avalon Hill General Index and Company History, 1952-1980"

Caesar (1976) Revised 1977
Prior existing published design redesigned by Avalon Hill
Designed by Robert Bradley
Development by Don Greenwood

ALESIA had been produced in 1971 as an amateur game by its designer. AH’s redesign was immensely popular among ancients buffs and enjoyed critical acclaim, but like all ancients games it never enjoyed good sales performance. The rulebook revision consisted of correcting an error in the missile chart and adding some questions & answers to the appendix.

Avalon Hill Complexity Rating - 4

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.12,No.4
  • The Avalon Hill Philosophy - Part 52: New games for 1976 - Caesar at Alesia, Kingmaker
• The GENERAL Vol.13,No.6
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Reader Buyer's Guide Submission Form” (Insert)
• The GENERAL Vol.14,No.1
  • Caesar at Alesia – “The Summer of 52 B.C.” (Historical) Robert Bradley
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Alesia – The Battle” (Historical) Gary Dayton, Sandy Dayton
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Roman Fort Deployment In Caesar-Alesia” (Strategy) Robert Bradley
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Manning the Ramparts” (Strategy) Thomas Hazlett
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Breaching the Ramparts” (Variant) Thomas E. Hilton
  • The Question Box - Caesar at Alesia
• The GENERAL Vol.15,No.5
  • Caesar at Alesia - "Forts in Alesia" (Strategy) by Tom Hazlett
• The GENERAL Vol.24,No.5
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Swords of the Republic - Understanding the Roman Army in Caesar” by Jim Werbaneth
  • Caesar at Alesia – “Breaking the Ring - Gallic Play in Caesar” by Jim Werbaneth

Panzerfaust and Campaign Article Index:

• Number 76 November-December 1976
  • Starship Troopers / War at Sea / Caesar at Alesia / Lankhmar / William the Conqueror - 1066 / Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes / Mind War / War of the Sky Galleons / Atlantis 12500 B.C. / Edgehill 1642 / Crete 1941 / Tunisia 1943 / Der Fuhrer / Avalanche: The Salerno Landings / Battle for Midway: Decision in the Pacific, 1942 / Burma - "Thumbnail Analysis" (Review), Don Lowry