These ramblings are meant to provide a little insight into gaming in the ancient period and show some of the pitfalls a newcomer may fall into. The ancient period is now to me as a wargamer and having just read the first issue of SAGA I thought it might be appropriate to express some views on gaming in this period.

Having been involved in historical miniature gaming for about 14 years, I've progressively moved back in history. In the beginning there was WWII and Moderns; fast action, great modelling and alot of frustration with rules. Venturing back through the American Civil War, Napoleonics and the Seven Years War; more good action,, fun painting and for a change good rules. With all these periods there was the fun involved in researching the period historically. But with this came the ever present questions What wore the historical precidents and backgrounds leading to these events? The natural stop was to move farther back in history, i.e.s the Rennaissance, Medievals and Ancients.

When I began to get into other periods I'd follow a three pronged approach: read primary and secondary source materials for background and painting guidelines; choose a side and begin to acquire and paint figures; and find a set of rules to use. This seems to be a logical approach (some may even say well rounded and quite academic), well anyway it worked before so this is the approach I used again.

Now reading the history of the "ancient period" is an endeavor. What part do we choose?? Ancients, hmmmm, Rome and Greece seemed like a logical step. I had three years of Latin and just came to the 'love' translating Caesar's Chronicles and Cicero. This time though, I thought I'd be smart, so off I went to the library to pick up a translation of Caesar. Ah that's the ticket, no more ablative absolutes ( or was it super superlatives he used), just the glorious triumphs over those nasty Gauls and Britons.

As to prong number two, my favorito figure manufacturer just brought out a line figures covering the period, so I was all set. One mall problem occurred, my long time friend and gaming partner decided to do the Romans'. so I chose the Britons. No real problem with acquiring figures seeing as though Britons were available from the same manufacturer. Now back to the library for more research: primary, secondary, 'thirdary'. Let's see, these guys were barbarians and they carried all sorts of of stuff and dressed as they pleased. This is going to fun painting!

Now for the third prong, getting a set of rules. Well let's take a look at all those back and current issues of gaming magazines. Hmmm, WRG, Hembary, Shock of Impact, Ancient League, Bronze Blood & Iron...

... Holy cow look at this, there's something different here. Gone are the days of infantry, cavalry and artillery. Enter, barn from an oak tree full grown, the world of heavy, medium and light infantry and cavalry. (That's ok I can handle it!) Watch out, here comes light heavy, light medium, extra heavy, super heavy and on and on. What the heck is going here? I then also encountered THE ARMY LIST, a two edged sword (gladius?) if I've ever seen one. This invention of the rules writers is both a boon and a bane for the newcomer to the period. I found a lot of my research done for me here in the mighty lists of two or three prominent British writers (don't Americans ever write these things?). I also found that all those javelinmen I ordered after reading about Caesar's campaigns don't seem to quite fit into the army. OK, cut off the little shields and scratch build big shields and rebase, (I love modelling but this is becoming work!). Next army I won't make the same mistake.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, more reading. Let's look at the Greekst Sparta, Athens, dreaded Persia. Good stuff to say the least. With the lists are in hand, and having just slogged through part of Heroditus and some modern works, I ordered figures for a nice Greek ally and Spartan army. This will go against some Persians I picked up at a convention about ten years ago.

Now I'm on the right track, no wasted money and fair historical background which is growing, I'm off into another area. The road block is rules. On a good tip from another friend I've joined the Society of Ancients and am now receiving Slingshot. Now this magazine should help settle my rules dilemna, right? Never before in the history of man have I seen such a debate! In this corner 'the mighty Sir Phil of Barkerdool and in this corner 'the Newbury Nukes' square off for a hearty 10 (or 20) round heavy weight (not EH or SH) match. In the wings stand 'the Lessers', those pillagers of the realm and the heretics, who occasionally throw a jab here and an uppercut there. With all the characters in place, the newcomer is confronted with a Soap opera that gets to the heart of the matter, who can sell the most to the wargaming public.

Another innovation not prevalent in other periods is the competition game and the holy 1000 pt. army. This intriguing mechanism is common at conventions I know, but until recently I just couldn't make heads or tails of these games. I'd patiently watch these games, knowing in the back of my mind that I liked this period. But I just couldn't seem to understand a game where the players got together for a game that had no background to it, no terrain set out before hand and immediately consulted a magical list that would inform the commander of his opponents strengths and weaknesses. I also had a real tough time with watching a Mongol horde take it on the chin from an Aztec army. Now the idea of seeing just what a particular army might do against some other army from a different age and different continent has some merit, but at times it reminds me of those dark corner% at conventions where the goblins and wizards hang out. Don't got me wrong though, I've tried this type of gaming in order to got a new army on the field but I just have a hard time with all the arguing and conniving that goes on. This is a hobby, i.e.: fun, recreation, good times right?!?!

To get back on track though, I've since completed a couple of 15mm armies, have found a set of rules I like and am enjoying the period. The variety of troop types is beginning to make sense, though I still question some of the conventions and mechanisms that seem inherent in ancient rules. I guess for a newcomer to the period I'm not doing badly. I have found that you can indeed fight a battle with more than 1000 pts. in an army, that both sides don't necessarily have to be equal in strength and you don't have to regard ancient rules as law. This was apparent in other periods but for some reason in ancients gamers seem to be locked into some unusual mechanisms. The debates about rules, alluded to above, are at times are infuriating and at other times entertaining. Hopefully other newcomers will not be victimised by the one dimensional mentality that some ancient period gamers espouse.

This is indeed a colorful and interesting period to game in and as with any period, there are certain behaviors and quirks that the newcomer should hopefully recognize early on. SAGA in and of itself, would seem to be a healthy organ for legitmate debate and idea sharing, which is why this newcomer to the period plans to subscribe. Well enough of this, I'm sure you all have other articles you want to read, games waiting to be played or figures waiting to be painted. As for me, I've found that medievals work with the rules I'm using and with the U.S. dollar as strong as it is I have a 25mm Granadine army waiting for me to finish painting its opponent.