Terni lapilli is a game of ancient Rome, for two players, also known as Rota, due to the circular shape of its “tabula”, the board game, which reminds us of a wheel. In fact, the archaeological findings show that it was designed in many forms, in the table, at intersections, but the most common shap...
Terni lapilli is a game of ancient Rome, for two players, also known as Rota, due to the circular shape of its “tabula”, the board game, which reminds us of a wheel. In fact, the archaeological findings show that it was designed in many forms, in the table, at intersections, but the most common shape is that of a circle. The findings are numerous, on the amphitheaters, on the floors of public monuments, and on the steps of numerous theaters.
It is the ancestor of the modern Tic Tac Toe, but with different rules that make the game much more interesting than the current version. Given its simplicity, it is recommended as a preparatory game for the logic of the board game.
Terni lapilli is mentioned by Ovid both in his “Ars Amatoria” and in “Tristia”. The most accredited quote is that on the transience of life comparable to a game of Terni lapilli. In the same works, the Latin author describes a game plan; however, it is the opinion of many historians that it refers to another game, as he describes the game plan as “divided into as many sections as there are months of the year”, but we must remember that Ovid wrote these works before Julius Caesar reformed the calendar (which previously was, precisely, only ten months).
The reconstruction of the rules, on the other hand, is much more current than you think. None of the ancient authors or historians of the time wrote anything about it; however, the Roman Empire was very extensive and many caravan routes departed from the borders to unknown countries. We know this from some findings, including amphorae and above all Roman coins also in China!
It is therefore not surprising that in Ghana games have been found still in use by the Ashanti who say they arrived there from beyond the desert (the Sahara, n.d.a.) and from Ghana that we were able to reconstruct the rules of the game.
The most interesting feature of this game is that despite being pure strategy it is very quick to come to a conclusion and can never end in a draw; it must always have a winner.
