Released in February 2017, The Eagle King serves as both a narrative expansion and a mechanical overhaul of the base Hegemony III experience. While the base game focuses on the rise of Rome and the diverse tribes of ancient Italy, The Eagle King introduces a structured campaign that follows Pyrrhus’s 3rd-century BC invasion of Southern Italy and Sicily. The expansion is notable for its commitment to historical authenticity while navigating the constraints of indie game development. Historical Narrative and Campaign Structure
This paper examines The Eagle King , the first major content expansion for the real-time strategy wargame Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients . Developed by Longbow Games, the expansion shifts focus toward the Pyrrhic War, introducing a historical campaign centered on King Pyrrhus of Epirus. By analyzing the mechanical additions—such as naval combat, war elephants, and supply logistics—this paper explores how the game translates historical "Pyrrhic victories" into a strategic gameplay loop that emphasizes resource preservation over attrition. Introduction hegemony-iii-the-eagle-king
: Beyond the historical campaign, a new "Invasion" mode allows players to select various factions to start as outsiders attempting to conquer the peninsula. Released in February 2017, The Eagle King serves
The Eagle King expanded the strategic depth of Hegemony III through several key features: Introduction : Beyond the historical campaign, a new