Cradle of Civilization

Cradle of Civilization

The “Cradle of Civilization” is two war games in one package that allows players to determine the fate of the Ancient East. In one game civilizations emerge, while in the other the players fight over whether the great Persian Empire will survive. Both games emphasize simplicity, but not at the cost of being unrealistic.

The From Sumeria to Persia covers the Bronze and Iron Ages, when civilization was born and the city-states transformed from kingdoms and eventually into great empires, culminating in the Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great. Players of History of the World will recognize the basic mechanisms by which players randomly select civilizations from cards, although the player in last place has greater power to decide which civilization to play.

From Sumeria to Persia offers players more choices than previous games on the subject. Surviving civilizations can continue to expand in future rounds. Random events create possibilities that defy history but were within the realm of possibility. The Minoans may have a brilliant military commander and the Egyptians may become a naval empire. There are also rules for building wonders, placing cities and the general effects of the collapse of the Bronze Age. Finally, the Persian Empire appears.

The Alexander vs. Darius simulates the conquest of the great Persian Empire by Alexander III. Although theSometimes it is presented as a given Funko conclusion, this game argues that Persia certainly had the chance to win if it had used different strategies or had a little luck on the battlefield. Darius III did not necessarily have to be the last king of Persia.

The heart of the game is a war-weariness track, which steadily moves downward for Alexander's army. Historically, it did not reach zero until after his invasion of India, but a Persian victory on the battlefield could change that. The game also allows players to explore Memnon's strategy of using Persian naval superiority to attack Alexander's rear, as well as to investigate the possibilities of a Spartan uprising. Finally, the Persians themselves must worry about legitimacy and, as a result, must actively resist Alexander, otherwise they risk losing their legitimacy to the throne.