The original Siege of Jerusalem game published as an “Amateur Release” by Steve Weiss and me back in 1976 (Wow! Over a quarter century ago!) had several scenarios omitted from The Avalon Hill Game Company’s 1989 version. Thanks to Multi-Man Publishing’s resuming distribution of the game, an opportunity to rectify this omission is hereby remedied.

This article contains three scenarios. One, The Rebellion, was included in the 1976 edition. The second, also provided with the original game, is a variation of The Rebellion and the third is a special First Assault Period scenario just for those of you who acquired SoJ via MMP. The hoped for interest and enjoyment of these scenarios are:

The Rebellion

A five turn game (compare that to the length and time-consumption of a Full Siege Campaign Game) which pits Roman Procurator Gessius Florus’ Jerusalem garrison against hordes of armed and outraged Judeans determined to expunge Imperial Rome’s authority from their holy city.

This scenario’s action takes place inside Jerusalem, giving players a rather different perspective of the city from what it assumes during a Full Siege Campaign Game.

Delayed Rebellion / Quick Roman Response

A seven turn “what if” scenario which allows both the Romans and Judeans to be on the offensive. The Judeans attack as during The Rebellion scenario by trying to force Rome’s Garrison out of Jerusalem. The Romans then have their opportunity to attack when Legio XII Fulminata force-marches to their beleaguered comrades’ aid from off-map under leadership of Rome’s Syrian Provincial Governor, Cestius Gallus. This is The Assault of Gallus scenario within a plausible “what if” historical framework making for a novel, fascinating, game situation.

The First Assault Period Scenario

This permits players to experience the grand scope of a Full Siege Campaign Game by resolving a single Assault Period as a game unto itself. This scenario explores some alternative interpretations of the historical event.

All these scenarios use SoJ’s standard rules as a base with, as seems inevitable with scenarios, special rules which I’ve tried to keep to a minimum. Designer and Player Notes are also provided.

We hope these scenarios enhance player appreciation of the overall SoJ game and, above all, provide some enjoyable gaming experiences. Special thanks to the Rockland Guys gaming group for their help playtesting these scenarios. Believe it or not, until my 2000 relocation to Arizona from New York State, we’d wargame each week in New City, N.Y.

Furthermore, my birthday is June 8 th … the anniversary of the 66 A.D. Jerusalem Revolt depicted within the scenario herewith provided.

Scenarios are presented in chronological order.

The Siege of Jerusalem: 70 AD Scenarios

Introduction
1: The Rebellion
2: Delayed Rebellion/Quick Roman Response
3: The First Assault Period

The Siege of Jerusalem Review and Analysis
The Siege of Jerusalem: Designer's Notes
Jerusalem and Matthew 19:24 : Camel Through Eye of Needle