SPQR is a tactical board wargame published by GMT Games in 1992 that simulates five battles fought by the Roman Republic, and is designed to showcase the development of the legion from the Greek hoplite model to a war machine capable of conquering most of Europe and North Africa.

Description

SPQR — an acronym for Senatus Populusque Romanus (Latin: "The Senate and People of Rome") — is a board wargame for two players, one of whom controls Roman legions, while the other controls the Romans' opponents. The game features five scenarios, each based on a different battle:

  1. Beneventum
  2. Bagradas Plains
  3. Cannae
  4. Zama
  5. Cynoscephalae

There is also a "fantasy" scenario pitting Roman legions against Alexander the Great.

In Issue 72 of the French games magazine Casus Belli, Marc Brandsma also enjoyed the physical components, noting, "I must say that the graphics of the counters, by Roger MacGowan, are pure wonder." Brandsma enjoyed the various scenarios, and added, "The abundance of counters of different origins and characteristics allows you to create many fun little scenarios yourself with a minimum of book research." Brandsma concluded, "I don't recommend you buy SPQR, I order you to!" Three years later, in Issue 85, Frédéric Bey reviewed the French version published by Oriflam and noted "The rules are version 2 of the GMT version, translated almost word for word with the obvious aim of eliminating even the slightest Anglicism. The translation is excellent and should help expand the already large circle of SPQR fans in France." In the following issue, Bey analyzed the French version in detail and liked the "great clarity in the writing of the rules; the historical insight given by the notes; the quality of the game material; and the excellence of the SPQR game system." However, Bey regretted "the 101% conformity to the American original; the density and small print of the rule booklet." Bey concluded, "Today, SPQR is the only classic wargame about antiquity available in France. Its release is therefore a real event. That is to say, it will finally allow a wide French public to take an interest in a particularly rich period of European history. Long confined to the Napoleonic epic or to contemporary wars, fans of strategy games in France will, I hope, rush to simulate the battles that presided over the development of the Western model of war."

Awards

1992 Origins Awards

  • Best Best Pre-20th Century Boardgame of 1992

1992 Charles S. Roberts Awards

  • Best Pre-World War II Boardgame