The Great Library – The Rebirth of the Alexandrian Library

A World Where Knowledge Is the Ultimate Resource

In the heart of ancient Alexandria, where the harbor teems with ships laden with relics, and the grand repository of human thought — the Mouseion, temple of the Muses, nine goddesses of the arts — stands as the beacon of civilization, an empire of knowledge is being born.
In The Great Library, you become a curator of this vast institution, collecting manuscripts, crafting scholarly masterpieces, and earning the favor of King Ptolemy.

This euro-strategy game, designed by Vital Lacerda, illustrated by Ian O’Toole, and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games, is built for 1–4 players with an average playtime of 100–180 minutes.
The main goal is to establish your own system of translation, preservation, and dissemination of texts, balancing scientific progress, administrative demands, and interaction with other scholars.

At its core, the gameplay revolves around careful planning and set collection. Each player commands a team of researchers, scribes, and librarians, sending them to vital locations — from the ports where scrolls arrive to the archives where knowledge is categorized and refined.



Where Words Speak Louder Than Swords

The Great Library is a deep euro-strategy that blends intricate mechanics with a richly woven theme. It will appeal to players who enjoy interconnected systems where every decision carries lasting consequences.

Strategically, the game opens multiple paths to success. You can focus on building your personal collection — gathering rare scrolls, forming a strong base of knowledge, and steadily accumulating prestige. This steady approach brings consistency but may fall behind those who act swiftly to seize the key locations.
Alternatively, players can embrace direct interaction: blocking opponents, joining translation projects, or leveraging shared resources. This is a high-risk, high-reward path that demands adaptability and precise timing.

Every round is a choice: pursue rare manuscripts, expand your facilities, or translate foreign texts. These actions are deeply interconnected — progress in one domain strengthens the others.
The game rewards foresight and flexibility. Each move invites the question: invest in the future or act now for immediate advantage?



The Sands of Time Are Fading – Preserve the Knowledge of Alexandria

The Great Library stands out for its variety of strategies, elegant presentation, and immersive atmosphere. Each playthrough offers new ways to approach the challenge — shifting priorities, refining tactics, and watching as your library transforms into a living organism of wisdom.

This is not a light filler for casual gatherings — it’s a thoughtful journey for evenings when you want to construct a world of ideas and feel part of intellectual history itself.

Those who will find themselves at home within The Great Library’s walls are players who:

• appreciate deep, large-scale euro strategies with high tactical control;

• are fascinated by history, culture, and the spirit of the ancient world;

• enjoy long-term planning and meaningful decision-making;

• are unafraid of lengthy sessions and complex interlocking systems;

• value a fulfilling solo or duel experience.

If you’ve ever dreamed of touching the secrets of ancient scrolls, breathing in the scent of parchment, and leading the greatest center of knowledge of your time — The Great Library welcomes you to Alexandria.

The light of knowledge rises again over Alexandria. The Great Library has launched on Kickstarter - support the campaign and join those bringing the legendary archive back to life. Over 2,600 backers have already embraced the project, praising its refined gameplay and the meticulous quality of its components. Even at launch, the campaign surpassed its funding goal by more than triple.

Allow The Great Library to unveil its secrets. Start your exploration on Tabletopia.