In April of 1995, the Lion's Den Wargame Club will debut the 54mm Circus Maximus wargame. I would like to create scenarios to cover all aspects of the Roman blood sport games. The scenarios will depict gladiatorial combat. For this we will use Steve Jackson's Melee combat rules. I find them quick to learn, very easy to teach, as well as very effective at covering man to man combat. I grew up in wargaming, playing this rule system and I am decidedly biased. I will introduce some of the Advanced Melee rules to cover areas of the scenarios peculiar to Roman arena combat. I will even extend into the modern Steve Jackson, Gurps world book on Imperial Rome.

The Lion's Den Wargame Club members will act as Lanista (Gladiator troop trainer) for the event. Participants will play the role of individual gladiators of the Ludii (Gladiator School). The Ludii will compete as part of a campaign game-the result of LDWC play testing. This will give the wargaming public the opportunity to mix in with LDWC regulars in a campaign participation game. I expect the schedule of combats to cover all areas of the circus games. There will be a Pompa (Opening Ceremony) with event music. Following this will be several animal/combat events; leading into the series of gladiator combats. The combat scenarios will end with a hunt of animals in the Coliseum. There will be skilled Venator and Bestiarius scenarios as will as the casual spectator hunting scenario.

Aurigae The Chariot Racing Game

The chariot race will occupy all of Saturday during the convention. The rules are going to be Aurigae by yours truly, Ken Van Pelt, Lion's Den Wargames-Publishing Company. This rules debut will be the feature event of our Circus Maximus wargame. I am developing the rules as convention playable for 54mm chariot models. These have been on the drafting table for over one year, so I am anxious to see them played and enjoyed. Anyone familiar with the game mechanics of our air combat game Fighter Command will see some interesting parallels in Aurigae There will be a schematic control sheet depicting: chariot, team, driver, with all of their attribute skills and the maneuver system for the racing. The familiar push pins will be there to "pin-point" the maneuvers and speed. This promises to be an elegantly simple system for chariot racing, and in 54mm it should be visually appealing as well!

As I write this Penny Whistle it is Thursday January 26th. The Lion's Den Wargamers will meet tonight for an "all paint." The 54mm Ben Hur Romans by Marx will be the main focus of our brushwork. It is amazing the amount of figures 6 to 8 club members can turn out in one or two evenings of concerted effort. Later this spring, the Lion's Den will once again set aside an evening of gaming to band together around the band-saw and crank out a Colliseum/Circus Maximus.

Wargamers Tip: wedding cake supply houses have excellent columns for Roman/Greek architecture. Thanks for your attention.