Spieltisch
1. - 2. Jahrhundert
A game board has been incised into the top of this slab of marble; it was used for a game of XII scripta (twelve eyes) or alea (dice). Twelve pips was the maximum number of points, which means it was originally played with a pair of dices. The game is regarded as a precursor of backgammon (also known as tabla or tavli throughout the eastern Mediterranean). Initially the players threw the dices and then moved their gaming pieces accordingly along three, later two rows of twelve fields each. The recess in one of the corners to drain rainwater shows that this slab of marble was also used outdoors.
A game board has been incised into the top of this slab of marble; it was used for a game of XII scripta (twelve eyes) or alea (dice). Twelve pips was the maximum number of points, which means it was originally played with a pair of dices. The game is regarded as a precursor of backgammon (also known as tabla or tavli throughout the eastern Mediterranean). Initially the players threw the dices and then moved their gaming pieces accordingly along three, later two rows of twelve fields each. The recess in one of the corners to drain rainwater shows that this slab of marble was also used outdoors.
Time:
1. - 2. Jahrhundert
Object Name
Tisch
Culture
Römisch
Location of discovery:
Ephesos große Halle südlich der Südwand (Selçuk, Kleinasien, Türkei)
Material/technology:
Marmor
Dimensions:
L/H 120 × B 70 × D/T 26 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Antikensammlung
Invs.
Antikensammlung, I 1626
Provenance
Sultan, Abdul, Hamid, II.; Österreichische Ausgrabungen in Ephesos; Geschenk an Kaiser Franz Joseph; 1957 nachträglich inventarisiert
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