Games

[spyros]

I've recently read this book

http://www.lemoni.gr/shop/details.asp?ProductID=71134

Unfortunately for a lot of members of this forum it's written in a civilized language (only joking). The author catalogs about 150 games.

Although it's main focus are Greek and byzantine games (whehhh believe me, they are complicated) it also mention a lot of Romans' games, mostly crap, as in dice not the other kind.

So that made me think, what other information do we have about games of that period, preferably Greek of course but I wouldn't mind Romans' also.
Any suggestions, any recreations?

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

It's hard to find any good book on ancient games. There's one book around on Ancient Games by Marco Fittà of which I have the German translation. I don't know if it has been translated into English or in your special case into Greek.

The best I found on Roman games is on the internet on this side:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/w ... games.html

[spyros]

Thank you Medusa, thank you indeed. Most of the games are included in the publication I have, but I do like the specualtion about the rules.

Ok, now I have to go and by some wood for the board. Ah, so many thinks to make so litle time.

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

Jassou Spyro,

Do you have any reference or any proof of which materials the boards were made. I'd like to make one board (esp. for tabula or duodecim scripta) myself but esp. for the Romans I only found references in the book by Marco Fittà that the boards were carved into marble, e.g. on the steps leading to a temple etc.

That is not very handy if you wanna bring a board along to a camp etc. :lol:

So if you wanna make a wooden board how do you do it? With inlay technique?

Thanks in advance for your help,

[spyros]

Gia ke s' esena medousa, (Not a bad name for a gladiatrix, yes?)

Mr Lazou, the author of the book I mentioned, speculated that the lack of findings of board games, means that they were either drawn on the ground or they used perishapable materials, like cloth and leather. Also he mentioned pine wood tablets covereted with wax, used for writing, also used as board for the games.

If you want, I'll post some references and if I'm able some photos.

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

Jassou Spyro, (<- that's actually the only Greek I know besides kalispera, kalimera, kalinichta etc. :lol: )

That would be very nice if you could post some references and photos. Your help is very much appreciates.

But the hint with materials such as cloth or leather is also very good. Then it's even easier to transport than a wooden board, and also much lighter. 8)

PS: Yeah, I like Medusa as a stage name as a gladiatrix since many gladiators picked stage names from the Greek mythology and I didn't wanna take Amazone or Achillia as the names mentioned on that relief found in Halicarnassos.

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

Considering that game boards have been on material such as leather or cloth does anyone of you have an idea how the color for drawing the lines or letters have been applied onto the material. What was used, how was it applied exactly?

Since I'd like to make game boards myself I hope you could give me some advise how to do this as authentic as possible. I know that it wouldn't be a good idea using a soldering iron to brand lines into leather that would be rather modern I guess.

[spyros]

There is a small version of the book I've mentioned above

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/960884 ... 12?ie=UTF8

It was published and distributed for an exhibition in China and not in the commercial market. So I was surprised to see that some copies are for sale.

[Tiberius Geracius]

Does anyone know if the Romans in the 1st century had playing cards or poker cards of some sort?

[Susanna]

As far as I know, cards first appear in High and Late Medieval Times.

[hoplite14gr]

Unfortunatellu cards like TAROT for example appear with unverfiable oral tradition.If similar cards existed in ancient times, they were made from perishable materials (i.e papyrus) and AFAIK they did not made it to our times.

Kind regards

[Barbara]

Nice to see you all in here!

Concerning the colours that were used to paint some games on leather or cloth: Maybe that ink was used for that. Was well known and lasts long.
Fact is, that you need a painting that does not crush when the cloth or the leather is moved, and therefor you need something that is different from colours to paint your shield or wood. Something that goes into the material.

Concerning wooden gameboards: We do have no evidence for any wooden gameboard, but I do think about doing a nice board just to pleasure the players eyes, made from wood and veneered with dark & light woods. But I think I'll have to wait until there is any evidence... :?

And: don't forget that you ever can paint a gameboard with coal or chalk on a stone, you don't have to scratch it into it. I think the people from the museums will be pleased to see us not scratching their reconstructions :wink:

[Susanna]

In Cologne is a sarkophag with a Roman Game inscribed into the stone. :wink:

Also, I remember the acient Greek Vase with two hoplites playing a gameboard, but we do not know the material.

[spyros]

Cherete Filoi,

Have a look at these.
A roman game board from 3-4 cent bc for the game of Latrunculi, Mr. Lazos speculate that it’s base on the greek Peteia. Also on the same board Pente could be also played.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/ ... 290321.jpg

And two more
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/ ... 290322.jpg

Roman backamon wooden board
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/ ... 290314.jpg

And craps of course.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/ ... 290315.jpg

There is company in Greece that does fabricate some of the ancient games. Board games in leather and wood, and others like cnuckles in same precious metals and wood. All try to find out if they have a web site and post it.

Kalyn espera from Greece for now.