Ludus Latrunculorum, or Latrunculi

Ludus Latrunculorum or Latrunculi (The Game of Little Soldiers) is perhaps the best known strategic board game played by the Romans. Each player assembles their army on the board and then the battle begins. This is a game of high strategy with no two games alike. This is the earliest known game with custodial capture, which was later used in northern Europe in the tafl games, and in North Africa in Seega. The rules supplied with this game have been reconstructed from well-researched historical sources from Latin literature.

All games come with historic notes and full rules

• Linen board 8.5"x 8.5"; wooden men 3/4", in a sturdy card tube
• Each player assembles their army two at a time, anywhere on the board
• Positioning of armies in the early stages can be crucial to strategy development
• When all players are in position battle commences
• When men are captured they have one chance to be rescued by their fellows at the next move, otherwise are removed from the board
• The winner is the player who reduces the opposing army to a point where resistance is futile and surrender the only sensible option

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