5th Century Board Game Pieces Discovered! What Did The Romans Play?

Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in modern-day Turkey, have made a remarkable discovery—two small, disk-shaped game pieces carved from bone, believed to date back to the 5th century A.D. These artifacts provide new insight into the leisure activities and strategic training of Roman soldiers stationed in the region.

The game pieces, each about the size of a half-dollar coin, bear distinct engraved symbols: one featuring a four-armed design and the other an eight-armed motif, both accented with punctuation marks at the ends of the arms. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş, an archaeologist from Karabük University leading the excavation, explained that these symbols likely played a role in determining the value or function of each piece in an ancient game.

Experts suggest the game pieces may have been used for Ludus Latrunculi or Doudecim Scripta, two known Roman strategy games played with bone pieces. Ludus Latrunculi, also known as the "Game of Mercenaries," was a two-player tactical contest akin to modern-day checkers, wherein players captured opponents’ pieces by surrounding them. Doudecim Scripta bore similarities to backgammon, requiring both strategy and luck.

The discovery of these game pieces reinforces the long-standing military presence in Hadrianopolis, which was established as a Roman stronghold as early as the 2nd century A.D. “The presence of a Roman headquarters and a Roman unit in Hadrianopolis, from the second to the fifth century A.D., as well as the existence of the Roman fortress, are clearly supported by these findings,” Dr. Çelikbaş stated.

Hadrianopolis, renowned for its intricate mosaics and rich archaeological heritage, has been the site of numerous significant discoveries, including Roman baths, churches, fortifications, and even a theater. The recent game piece find adds another layer to our understanding of Roman soldiers' daily lives—highlighting how they not only engaged in warfare but also sharpened their strategic thinking through games.

Beyond providing entertainment, these games likely served as training tools, mirroring real battlefield tactics. Dr. Çelikbaş noted that parallels can be drawn between ancient strategy games and modern ones, including checkers and digital war simulations like Minesweeper. The principle of surrounding and conquering an opponent remains a fundamental concept in both historical and contemporary strategy games.

This discovery offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of Roman soldiers stationed far from home, revealing their sophisticated understanding of strategy and tactics, even in their downtime. As excavations continue, archaeologists hope to uncover more artifacts that will further illuminate the history of Hadrianopolis and the Roman military presence in the region.

Published 11th Feb 2025.