The Society of Ancients is a long-established international amateur society for the promotion of the study of ancient and medieval military history and wargaming the period 3000 BC to 1500 AD. It is run by volunteers for the benefit of its worldwide membership.
The Society publishes a bi-monthly journal, Slingshot, containing a wide range of items related to Ancient and Medieval military history and wargaming contributed by Society members. It organises various events, including an annual games day and members' conference, and runs a wargames championship. The Society also publishes a number of games and booklets which are available from our web store.
Watch an introductory video here: | ![]() |
Membership is open to all, and lasts for 6 issues of Slingshot.
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Ἀlala!£15Ἀlala! wargames rules by Simon MacDowall are designed to recreate the ethos of ancient Greek warfare when hoplite phalanxes clashed in battle and the gods intervened in the affairs of mortals. Their principal application is for battles between the Greek city states during the Peloponnesian and Boeotian wars of the 5th – 4th centuries BC, but can also be used for the Persian Wars or later Macedonian conquest of Greece. This game includes a rulebook, quick reference sheet and card deck (the God Pack). |
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Blood Red Roses£15Blood Red Roses by Adrian Nayler is a simple though slightly unorthodox tabletop wargame primarily intended for two players to fight battles representative of the Wars of the Roses. It concentrates its attention at the level of the commanders and their wards, the major organisational divisions of armies at the time. Players concentrate on the manner of their troops’ approach towards their enemy by assigning their wards one of a number of different ‘battle stances’. These stances dictate the options for movement and combat currently available to each. Stances can and should be changed as the battle progresses and players must consider the interplay of their stances with those of their opponent when striving for advantage. Having one’s wards on the desired stances at the appropriate times will not always be possible! The game includes the rulebook, a quick reference sheet and two packs of cards. The latter items, as well as a sheet of stance markers for use during the game can be downloaded for free as PDF files from the Society website. |
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Editorial The Society of Ancients Convention October 2024 by Richard Lockwood Wargaming News The Pros and Cons of 3D Printing by Connor Truby Charles Grant 50th Anniversary Refights No.1 - Marathon by Phil Sabin Casting for a Pod by Dave Hollin We Set Sails and Hauled our Oars by Nick Harbud Refighting Ilipa 206BC with “Table Battles” by Bruno Servili Battle Day 2024: Ilipa 206BCE by Andrew Parrock A Round-up of Battleday 2024 by Jeremy Giles Tactica II Part 7 - Republican Romans vs Carthaginians by Simon Watson Middle Kingdom Egyptian Axemen by Steven Neate A Tale of Three Towers by David Kay Onus! Traianus Boardgame Review by David Smith Page Citizens of Rome - 28mm Figure Review (Wargames Atlantic) by Gavin Pearson Forgotten Castles of Wales and the Marches Book Review by David Kay Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Iberia Book Review by Duncan Head |
Available in web store.
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Editorial Wargaming News The Young Alexander by Dave Watson 3D Printing and a lesson in humility by Dave Hollin Romans and Rivals (Ilipa!) by Nick Harbud Ilipa with a twist by Simon MacDowall Ilipa fought with Lost Battles and Legion II by Phil Sabin Solo Tactics by David Kay The ‘I Claudian’ Invasion by Ian Piper Northern DBA Tournament by Paul Murgatroyd Tactica Part 6 - Alexandrian Macedonians v Later Achaemenid Persians by Simon Watson Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt Terrain Pieces by Steven Neates Thoughts from the Editor’s Hobby Room - Hobby Knives WiP 10mm and 28mm figure reviews Building Blocks of Tabletop Gaming Design by Dave Hollin The Generalship of Alexander The Great by Connor Truby And finally |
Available in web store.
“When Hasdrubal, who was aroused by the shouts of the horsemen, sprang out of his tent and saw the uproar outside his earthwork and the excitement among his men, and in the distance the gleaming standards of the legions and the plain filled with the enemy, he forthwith sent out all his cavalry against the horsemen. As for himself, he marched out of the camp with the infantry column, and in drawing up his line made no change from the customary order…”
Livy, 28.14
The SOA 2024 Battle Day will recreate the Battle of Ilipa and will be held on Sunday 24th March. We have 12 games planned, using a total of 10 different rules sets, and five different figure scales. There are plenty of spots available for people to turn up on the day and join in; no booking is necessary.
Location. Hermitage Village Hall, Pinewood Crescent, Hermitage, Thatcham RG18 9WL. There is ample parking on site.
Refreshments. Tea and coffee will be provided, but there is no café or shop on site, so please come with your packed lunches in hand.
Cost. The cost of the Battle Day will be £10 per person for all attendees. Payment will be collected on the day (cash only) so please come prepared; there are no cash machines within walking distance!
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Editorial A Word from our new President Richard Lockwood Battleday 2024 Update Alala Ruleset Launch Wargaming News Simon MacDowell Interview on Alala Ruleset Development Editor's Prizes for 2023 Blood Red Roses Ruleset Development by Adrian Naylor Gaugamela Part Three by Damian Baxter Slings and Slingers by John Hogan Fact vs Fun by Connor Truby Galley Warfare at the Society's Convention (2022) by Michael Lane Tactica Part 5 - Alexandrian Macedonians vs Later Achaemenid Persians by Simon Watson Blood Red Roses - a Battle Report and Review (of sorts) by Gordon Garrard Developing the Portable Wargame - a Review by Martin Smith Rome's Third Samnite War Book Review by Gavin Pearson Rome Rules the Waves Book Review by Jim Webster Empires of the Steppes Book Review by Chris Hahn And finally |
Available in web store.
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Editorial Society Notice - Battleday 2024 details Wargaming News Dicing with Death - Harry Dudrow St. Germanus of Auxerre by Jim Webster Gaugamela Part Two by Damian Baxter Battle Reports using 6mm figures - an observation by David Mason Peithon and the Baktrian Revolt by Bjorn Floderus Empire (SoA Boardgame) with Figures by John Graham-Leigh Tactica 2 Games - Part 4 - Classical Greeks vs Early Achaemenid Persians by Simon Watson 15mm Miniatures Review - Essex Old and Middle Kingdom Egyptians by Steven Neate 25mm Miniatures Review - Lamming Plus Figures by David Smith SAGA Book of Battles Rules Supplement Review by Ken Butt The Scythians Book Review by Gavin Pearson Agincourt - Battle of the Scarred King Book Review by Anthony Clipsom Painting Wargames Figures - Rome's Northern Enemies by Gavin Pearson And finally |
Available in web store.
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The Society of Ancients is a volunteer organisation, and relies on its members. It's very easy to join -– just click on the button below, or for more details, go to the join page, add a membership to your cart and check out using Paypal. You can alternatively download a postal membership form. Membership costs £36 for 6 issues of Slingshot (normally a year), plus access to the forum.