As we get closer and closer to release day for Imperium: Horizons, we have another civilisation spotlight, for the Sassanids...

An illustration of a gathering of Sassanid nobles seated in a field, alongside the text: "IMPERIUM HORIZONS CIVILISATION SPOTLIGHT: THE SASSANIDS, DESIGNED BY NIGEL BUCKLE AND DÁVID TURCZI"

This time the spotlight is being shone on the Sassanids. This Iranian empire fought for four centuries (from 224 to 651 CE) against the Roman Empire (after 395 CE, the Byzantine Empire).  They controlled a vital section of the Silk Road (represented by the Western Silk Road in their deck), and so the Trade Routes expansion is required to play. 

A selection of sample cards from the Sassanid deck of Imperium: Horizons, named left to right: Western Silk Road, Ardashir I, Clibanarii, Aswaran (Cavalry)

Given the long conflict with the Roman/Byzantine Empire, it is appropriate that the Sassinds are the most aggressive (and most intricate) trader deck. You start with the founder of the Empire, Ardashir I, who you can use to fetch either of your knight cavalry, Aswaran or Clibanarii. Yes, we’re bringing knights back in Imperium Horizons – their prior use was predominantly in the Arthurian deck.

A selection of sample cards from the Sassanid deck of Imperium: Horizons, named left to right: Zoroastrianism, Aban, Atar, Khosrau I

As well as using knights and your trading merchants, this deck requires you to manage the requisites of Sassanid’s state religion: Zoroastrianism. With cards representing water (Aban) and fire (Atar) in your deck, you will have to keep your rivers pure and have some unrest to burn if you want to keep the ceremonies going – and Khosrau I (your Accession card) demands that you do so. 

A selection of sample cards from the Sassanid deck of Imperium: Horizons, named left to right: Huzistan, Bozorgan, Shah, Dreaded

On top of all this, this deck gives you some unique ways to interact with the Fame cards. The region Huuzistan lets you scout the Fame deck, and if you use your knights as a garrison (re-triggering the region’s effect), you can sift through the Fame deck to find what you need, then take it with your Clibanarii. On top of that, Khosrau I gains you the top Fame card, and Shah can get another. You also have your own Fame development – the appropriately named Dreaded – which can shorten the game if you are on a Fame rush strategy.

Find previous civilisation spotlights for the Japanese, Taíno, Mayans, Inuit,
 Magyars, Polynesians, Cultists, Abbasids, Guptas, Aksumites and Tang.

High res versions of all teased cards are available on the the game's
BoardGameGeek page under the images section.

Imperium: Horizons is out February 2024. Pre-order now.