Julias Caesar and “Advantages”
The other week I wrote about “Gas Ranges and Marketing Tools”.
How its important to have all the necessary softwares and programs and tactics before you pursue a board game marketing strategy on a particular marketing channel.
One of the things I mentioned was “every little advantage”… and I want to briefly elaborate on that idea, using Julius Caesar as an example…
So before Julius Caesar was Dictator of Rome, Dictator Perpetuo of Rome, and Praefectus Morbius of Rome…
He was a General in Gaul (modern day France).
It was his first true command, but still a modest one… a mere 4 legions (between 35,000 - 50,000 men)
Now, it is important to note that while we are learning from Caesar, he is NOT the bad guy.
Out of his own ambition for wealth and glory he proceeded to not only conquer all of Gaul and bring them into the Roman empire…
But also enslave 1/3 of the population…
And KILL another 1/3.
This is why Dan Carlin called his episode on it “Celtic Holocaust”; it was at a minimum cultural genodice.
But what makes this feat so impressive is that there were MILLIONS of celts in Gaul, defended by some 300,000 - 500,000 celtic “barbarian” warriors.
Which begs the question… how did Caesar win?
Well, one reason is simple ol’ divide and conquer; which is the same way the Spanish Conquistadors conquered Mexico.
But in THAT instance, the Spainards had three huge advantages: guns, steel armor, and deadly germs (sounds like a famous early 2000’s book…)
Anyways, Caesar had NONE of that.
In fact, he did all his butchering and enslaving with people who had access to all the same technology he did!
So once again… HOW THE HELL DID CAESAR WIN?!?!
Five (other) reasons:
He was an actual genius
He trained his men well and rewarded their courage and skill
He benefited from excellent Roman logistics
He was hella lucky (considered a valuable character trait in ancient Rome)
HE GAINED EVERY LITTLE ADVANTAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Its that last point I want to focus on. Because you would think that a prodigy with the best army and supply line in the world wouldn’t need to look for further advantages.
But I guarantee you that if Caesar didn’t do that, he would have died very early in his Gallic campaigns.
There are countless stories of him not satisfied until he had gained EVERY single little advantage possible:
surveying land, looking for little pockets where he can hide a few hundred soldiers as a surprise in the middle of the battle
tricking the enemy army to stand in the cold all night while his men warmed themselves by the fire
buying off small factions of the enemy’s allied cavalry
building trenches and log fortifications overnight
finding a stream just small enough for the enemy to cross, but large enough to slow them down
sending propoganda back to Rome to make sure he still had support in the homeland
You see, when it comes to marketing your TTRPG, board game, trading card game, etc. you should have the same percpetive: GAIN EVERY LITTLE ADVANTAGE.
Because while you aren’t in a struggle of life and death, you are going up against hordes of other tabletop games, all demanding the attention and treasuries of the same customer base.
In other words, even if you have an AMAZING game and irresistible offer… you also face insurmountable odds.
Now granted, everyone has time and money limitations on their abilities to market, which is why it is best to start YEARS ahead of time.
But if it is within your power to do more… DO IT… get it right.
Never have the “that should be enough… “ attitude.
Take every opportunity to even the odds (here are some ideas to start!)
