Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 360 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 4.3 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Pericles is a deep, four-player sandbox wargame covering the Peloponnesian War from 460 to 400 BC, designed by Mark Herman. Players represent Athenian or Spartan factions, alternating between a war phase (Athens versus Sparta) and a political phase (faction versus faction within each city-state). Over twenty scenarios range from 30-minute mini-battles to sprawling multi-hour campaigns, with rules supporting 2, 3, or 4 players and solitaire play. It is an ambitious, historically rich wargame simulating both military conflict and internal political maneuvering.
Hobbli's Notes
Pericles stands out among wargames for modeling the dual layer of external war and internal faction politics, a genuinely ambitious design choice from veteran designer Mark Herman. The huge range of scenario lengths means groups can dip into a 30-minute skirmish or commit to the full multi-hour campaign. Its historical depth and event-driven card play will reward players who enjoy immersing themselves in ancient Greek history. This is a serious wargame for a dedicated, historically curious audience.
What we like
- Ambitious dual-layer design combining warfare and internal politics.
- Wide range of scenario lengths from 30 minutes to full campaigns.
- Deep historical grounding in the Peloponnesian War.
- Solitaire and variable player-count support add flexibility.
Keep in mind
- Very high complexity demands experienced wargamers.
- Longest scenarios require a major time commitment.
- Steep rules overhead for newcomers to the genre.
Who it's for
Best for serious wargaming enthusiasts (12+) with an interest in ancient Greek history, in groups of 1-4.
