# De Vulgari Eloquentia ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2010 - **BGG Rating**: 7.2 - **BGG Rank**: #1956 - **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 120 min - **Weight**: 3.64 / 5 - **Designers**: Mario Papini - **Artists**: Eva Villa, Guido Favaro, Lamberto Azzariti - **Publishers**: Giochix.it, HomoLudicus, Lookout Games, Matagot, Z-Man Games - **Categories**: Medieval, Religious, Travel - **Mechanics**: Action Points, Area Movement, Set Collection ## Verdict If you enjoy historical light‑strategy, De Vulgari Eloquentia offers a unique mix of social climbing and language building.Engaging historical themeAccessible mechanicsGood replay valueLong playtimeScoring curve can be opaqueRECOMMENDED ## Description Late‑medieval Italy is the backdrop for De Vulgari Eloquentia, a game where players help turn Volgare—the popular tongue emerging from regional dialects—into a cultured language capable of recording contracts, poems and treatises. Each player takes on a role that can range from cloth merchant to Benedictine friar, banker or even future Pope. The goal is to earn the most Volgare points, awarded for reading important manuscripts (such as the Canticle of the Sun or the Verona Riddle), climbing the social ladder, and gaining support from politicians, nobles and amanuenses. The board features a continental‑scale map of Italy divided into areas representing trade routes, monasteries, cities and the Papal Library. You move wooden pieces using action points, decide where to invest time and money, and collect sets of documents that grant scoring bonuses. Different strategies emerge: some focus on commerce and wealth, others on ecclesiastical influence, while some pursue scholarly research to unlock rare manuscripts. With Action Points, Area Movement and Set Collection mechanics, the game offers tactical choices each turn without overwhelming the player. The learning curve is gentle, though resource management and social path selection require planning. In roughly two hours, your reputation will rise—or fall—as alliances shift and the secrets of the Papal Library are uncovered. De Vulgari Eloquentia blends history, linguistics and political intrigue into a rich yet accessible experience for fans of light‑to‑moderate strategy games. ## FAQ ### How long does a game take? About 2 hours on average, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on player count. ### What player count is supported? 2 to 5 players; works well both as a duel and with a larger group. ### How complex is the game? Rated 3.6/5 on BGG, it's medium – easy to learn with strategic depth. ### What are the main components? Continental‑scale Italy map, wooden pieces, manuscript cards, status and money tokens. ### Is it beginner‑friendly for strategy gamers? Yes, the mechanics (action points, area movement, set collection) are straightforward yet offer depth for veterans. ### Is there a digital version? Yes, it’s available on Tabletopia for online play. ### Could the religious theme be sensitive? The game treats the historical institutional side of the Church neutrally, focusing on social ascent rather than doctrine. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.95 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=147828&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 62.79 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4778417&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 70.12 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2222360&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 72.70 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6076039&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/2924/de-vulgari-eloquentia?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com