ANCIENT GAMESBy: Bryce Marshall

MANCALA

• This game originated in the Middle East. Its name comes from the Arabic word naqala, meaning “to move”.

• The game is still played today, which is how we know it existed.

• The game had a board with rows, and the pieces are stones.

• The game is played with 2 players.

• There are many different rules depending on which region of the world you go to.

• You play by attempting to take more stones than your opponent.

• Gameplay doesn’t take too long, the individual games have a medium length.

• Depending on the region of the world you are in, the game has plenty of different names.

• The game does not seem to be related to other games of its time.

TABULA

• The game originated in ancient Rome.

• There are records of Roman emperors playing this game.

• The board looks like a backgammon board, and the game is thought to be backgammon’s ancestor.

• Two players play this game.

• The rules were reconstructed in the 19th century based on an epigram.

• The play requires you to move some of your 15 pieces according to dice rolls.

• The game is also called ludus duodecim scriptorium.

• The game does not seem to be related to other ancient games.

GO

• Originated in China about 2500 years ago.

• There are paintings and drawings of the ancient Chinese playing this game.

• The board looks like a little table.

• The game is played with 2 people.

• The rules exist.

• You are required to capture your opponents pieces by surrounding your opponent’s pieces with your own.

• 20-90 minutes are required to play the game.

• The game is also called Igo, Baduk, Paduk, and Weiqi.

• The game is not related to other games.

MAHJONG

• The game originated in China.

• There are records of Chinese emperors playing this game.

• The game is played by two players.

• The rules exist.

• You play by using your tiles in different ways.

• The game seems to have no other names.

• It does not seem to be related to other games.

THE ROYAL GAME OF UR

• The game originated in the Middle East, before 2600 BC.

• The game boards were found in a tomb, which is how we know it was played.

• The boards are shaped like rectangles connected together.

• Two players played this game.

• The rules have been forgotten.

• It is unknown how long a game took.

• The game was also called Asseb in ancient Egypt.

• It does not seem to be related to other games.