Duodecim Scripta or Alea, 3 row oak board

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Quarter-sawn oak three-row board, with bone counters and ring-and-dot style bone dice in a leather pouch.

Many different styles of board of this type, with two or three rows, are known from the Roman world, some very simple and roughly carved into pavements, while others are more elaborate and decorated. Some, in the place of the six rows each of six points had comic or pithy phrases, each of six words of six letters.

The names Alea (meaning dice) and Duodecim Scripta appear to be associated with an early tables type of game in Roman literature.

 Our three-row board is typical of the style of many Roman pavement games found across the Roman empire. Several games were probably played on the board, and suggestions for such games are provided.

• Oak 3-row board, 16" x 7 3/4"
• Cells 1"; counters 1" diameter
• Bone counters, 15 each of natural and red
• Three ring-and-dot bone dice
• Pieces supplied in a leather pouch

Historic Period or Date:

• Roman

Materials and Special Features:

• Quarter-sawn oak board
• Bone counters
• Bone ring-and-dot dice
• Playing pieces in a leather drawstring pouch

Dimensions:

• Board: 16" x 7 3/4"
• Playing pieces: 1" diameter
• Bone dice: c. 1cm square