Board games were not pure entertainment for the sole sake among the old Rome, but on Roman society, strategy, and even games’ spirit. Historians have now summarized fascinating facts about the old Roman board games from archaeology, inscriptions, and ancient writings. Sought either by warriors on the battlefield or even by aristocrats inside majestic villas, games remained the centerpiece of Roman recreation.
Let us now examine more closely how all of these original games were really played, what they consisted of, and how they developed into later ones.
Most Popular Roman Board Games
One of Rome’s favorite board games was Latrunculi (or Ludus Latrunculorum), a strategy board game like chess or checkers. They’d go on to encircle each other’s men and capture them in a strategy game where you thought ahead. You can tell by looking at it why it did indeed involve strategy on the battlefield.
Another favorite was Tabula, a precursor to backgammon. Using dice and pieces, the goal was to race your pieces around a board. Tabula, along with Duodecim Scripta (a twelve-line game board), showcased the Romans’ love of both strategy and chance—an echo of their broader fascination with gaming and wagering.
In fact, wagering wasn’t uncommon. Much like modern gamblers study blackjack game rules to gain an edge, Romans likely developed informal strategies to outplay opponents and win their bets.
Ancient Board Games: History and Materials
Roman games on boards also weren’t commercialized like contemporary games. Boards were engraved on marble or on wood, or even on public places like benches or steps. There are some cases where game boards were seen on Pompeii pavement, even on inscriptions on army barracks, showing the popularity of the games among all classes.
Game pieces were also built using clay, bone or ivory or even from glass. More skilled players used sophisticated or colored tokens while the masses employed basic materials.
They also featured in Roman games where they used knucklebone-like dice called Tali as well as cube-shaped dice referred to as Tesserae.
How Did Tali Dice Differ from Modern Dice?
The Tali dice had a unique shape with only four scoring sides (the ends didn’t count), unlike the six-sided dice we use today. They were often made from bone or ivory and were used in games of chance. The scoring combinations were given Latin names, with the highest roll called a “Venus.”
Meanwhile, Tesserae were the six-sided dice that more closely resemble modern ones, used in both board games and gambling. Their design and the randomness they introduced added excitement to games, reflecting early developments in probability and chance mechanics.
Roman Leisure Activities and Gambling Culture
Board games weren’t just idle time-fillers; they were central to Roman leisure activities. From bathhouses to army camps, people of all ranks played games to relax, bond socially, or place friendly wagers.
Interestingly, in later periods like the Byzantine Empire, the gaming culture expanded further. Not only on table games were there bets or throws of dice, but on events and on entertainment. Since we can see today people in casinos betting odds even on table games, it is more than probable that the Romans made odds on who was going to win a Tabula or even a game of Latrunculi.
From once being written on marble steps to once having been constructed using multicoloured glass, Ancient Roman board games are intriguing looks into the centuries. They reveal something more than virtually anything about Ancient world game design brilliance, but also about a continuing human desire to play, to compete and win.
And when next you settle down to a strategy game, just remember – 2,000 or so years ago, it is more than possible some Roman was doing just the same.
FAQ
What was a common Roman game board size?
Game boards varied widely but often ranged between 12–18 inches across. Some were large enough for display, while others were travel-sized for soldiers.
What materials were used for Roman game pieces?
Romans used clay, ivory, bone, glass, and metal, depending on social class and availability. Simpler pieces were used by the general population, while ornate versions were favored by the elite.
How did “Tali” dice differ from modern dice in Roman games?
Tali were long, rectangular dice with four scoring sides. Unlike today’s cube dice, Tali could not land on every side, changing probability dynamics.
How did Romans use tesserae in their games?
Tesserae were standard six-sided dice used in games of chance and strategy. They were often rolled in board games to determine moves or outcomes.
