Many wargamers avoid ancients because of the imagined image of win-at-all-costs lawyers of the rules battling anachronistic armies of Egyptian chariots versus Swiss pikes. First of all, I contend that if people want to be involved in tournaments, that is their business and God bless them. In addition, playing with toys should never lead to argument as long as real war and starvation exist in our world.

There is no question that ancients are fascinating. If you stick to a Featherstonian move-fire-melee-morale and read about the history, you cannot go wrong. Here are 10 reasons to wargame ancients in any way you see fit.

1. Chariots look magnificent on the table.
2. Elephants look ominous and impressive.
3. A serried row of Roman shields in close order conveys the image of a regular army without words.
4. The Carthaginian army is beautifully varied. Chariots, elephants, Numidian horse, Spanish, Gallic, African foot, Rhodian slingers, Barlanian and regular horse add to the dioramic effect.
5. Alexander's Companions strike fear into all opponents.
6. Do knights on foot or horse ever fail to stir the imagination?
7. A fleet of galleys is excellent.
8. Sieges and storming castles make excellent scenarios.
9. The pictures in the Tactica book are mesmerizing.
10. If you cannot role play a Roman or a knight, then you have never been to the movies!