Republic of Rome (1990 Avalon Hill, Complete)

Republic of Rome (1990 Avalon Hill): The Political Masterpiece of Classic Board Gaming

The Republic of Rome, published by Avalon Hill in 1990, is one of the most intellectually demanding and historically rich board games ever designed. For collectors of classic strategy games, a complete copy of the Avalon Hill first edition represents both a playable artifact and a genuine piece of gaming history. This guide covers the game's background, what makes a complete copy, current values, and what to look for when assessing a used example.

The Game and Its Origins

Republic of Rome was designed by Don Greenwood, Robert Haines, and Richard Berthold, and published by Avalon Hill in 1990. Avalon Hill was at the time the premier American publisher of complex strategy board games, known for titles like Advanced Squad Leader, Civilization, and Diplomacy. Republic of Rome fit perfectly within their tradition of highly detailed historical simulations.

The game simulates approximately 220 years of Roman political history, from 264 BC to 43 BC -- essentially covering the period from the First Punic War through the end of the Republic and the rise of Julius Caesar. Players control Roman senatorial factions, each with a collection of senators rated for their oratorical ability, military skill, popularity with the Roman people, and political influence.

The gameplay involves conducting mock Senate sessions in which players debate, negotiate, bribe, and conspire to elect officers of the Republic, raise armies, fight Rome's enemies, and manage the state's finances -- all while advancing their own faction's quest for dominance.

What makes Republic of Rome unique is its fundamental design tension: players must cooperate to keep Rome from being destroyed by external enemies, internal unrest, or bankruptcy, while simultaneously competing against each other. A player who sabotages Rome too much may "win" a collapsed game that everyone loses. The mechanics reward political cunning, coalition-building, and knowing when to cooperate and when to betray.

Historical Coverage

The three scenarios represent different eras of Roman history:

Each scenario can be played independently or they can be linked into a multi-session "Epic" campaign covering all three eras. The epic game can last multiple sessions over several days.

What Makes a Complete Copy?

The 1990 Avalon Hill edition includes:

• Game board: Large mounted board showing the Roman Forum and game track areas

• Event cards deck: Cards representing historical events, wars, crises, and catastrophes

• Senator cards: Individual cards for the major historical figures of the Republic

• Counter sheets: Die-cut cardboard counters for legions, fleets, provinces, and other markers

• Faction cards: Cards for each player faction

• Play money: Roman talent coins in denominations

• Rulebook: The extensive rules covering all three scenarios

• Player aid cards: Summary cards for game procedures

• Dice: Custom dice for combat and other resolution

Completeness verification: When assessing a used copy, the counter sheets are the most critical element. If the counters were punched and any were lost, the game is not complete. Many collectors specifically seek "unpunched" copies (counters still on the sprues) as these are considered superior in condition.

The Senator cards should all be present -- these are named historical figures and losing even one affects gameplay. The Event cards deck should be intact and unmarked.

Current Market Values

The Avalon Hill 1990 edition of Republic of Rome has maintained consistent collector interest, particularly among hobbyists who appreciate classic heavy strategy games.

The game was later re-published by Valley Games in 2009 in a revised second edition, which provides a more available (and affordable) option for players. However, collectors specifically seek the original Avalon Hill edition for its historical significance as a product of the classic Avalon Hill era.

Identifying the 1990 Avalon Hill Edition

Key identifying features:

• Publisher listed as "The Avalon Hill Game Company"

• Copyright date 1990

• The full title on the box lid reads "Republic of Rome: Politics in the Ancient World"

• Box dimensions are approximately 11.5" x 15" x 2"

• The box art features a classical Roman imagery with the game title in period-style lettering

Differentiating from later editions: The Valley Games 2009 edition has different box art and is clearly labeled as Valley Games. The Avalon Hill edition is the original and typically more valuable to collectors.

Gameplay Reputation

Republic of Rome is famous in board gaming circles for being extremely complex and demanding multiple sessions to learn properly. BoardGameGeek rates it as one of the heaviest games ever published, with a complexity score that reflects the detailed rulebook and the need for all players to understand Roman history enough to appreciate what is happening.

The game is also notorious for its "everyone loses" fail states -- Rome can fall to foreign invasion, economic collapse, or revolution if players fail to cooperate sufficiently. This creates a distinctive tension that many players find engrossing and that distinguishes Republic of Rome from most other competitive games.

For serious board game collectors, particularly those focused on the Avalon Hill catalog or historical simulation games, Republic of Rome is a must-have title. It represents the apex of a particular design philosophy: deep, historically grounded, demanding, and uncompromising in its complexity.

Care and Storage

For preserving a copy of Republic of Rome:

• Store in a cool, dry environment away from humidity

• If counters are punched, store them in small plastic bags organized by type to prevent mixing and loss

• Handle the game board carefully -- the hinged fold points are vulnerable to creasing

• The rulebook is extensive; if pages are loose, consider a protective sleeve

• Original unpunched copies should be stored flat to prevent the counter sheets from bending

Legacy

Republic of Rome influenced a generation of game designers interested in political simulation and semi-cooperative mechanics. Modern games like Twilight Imperium and several COIN series games from GMT Games share its DNA in terms of using game mechanics to simulate political and military pressure simultaneously.

For hobbyists who came of age in the era of Avalon Hill's dominance, Republic of Rome represents the height of American wargaming's ambition. A complete, well-preserved first edition is a genuine collectible for any serious board game library.

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