Barbarians at the Gates: The Decline and Fall of the Western Roman Empire 337-476

Barbarians at the Gates: The Decline and Fall of the Western Roman Empire 337-476 is a two-player, card-driven wargame from Compass Games covering the final century of Roman power in the West. One player commands the Roman legions and allied peoples loyal to imperial authority, while the other controls usurpers, invading tribes and the migrations that threaten to break the Empire apart.

The game uses a point-to-point map of the Western Roman Empire, divided into administrative dioceses and connected by Roman roads, rough tracks and major river routes. The Roman player must use interior lines and the imperial road network to respond to crises across Britain, Gaul, Spain, Italy, Africa and the Danube frontier. The Barbarian player must probe for weaknesses, raid across borders, encourage migrations and exploit every sign of imperial weakness.

Cards drive the action, allowing players to activate leaders, recruit legions, launch invasions, conduct raids, settle tribes inside Roman territory or attempt to seize the imperial throne. Famous and infamous figures such as Aetius, Alaric, Attila and ambitious usurper-emperors may shape the struggle for the future of Western Europe.

With multiple scenarios and a full campaign, Barbarians at the Gates is a strong choice for players interested in late Roman history, asymmetric pressure, political collapse and card-driven strategic wargames.

Contents include: one mounted 22″ x 34″ map, one rulebook, one playbook, two distinct player aid cards, 110 strategy cards in two separate 55-card decks, four sheets of large rounded counters, two dice, and one box and lid set.