Spieltisch

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.