Board games have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, offering a mix of strategy, luck, and skill. Whether you prefer a quick game of Snakes and Ladders or a lengthy session of Monopoly, there is a game out there for everyone. Many of the board games we play today have ancient roots, dating back thousands of years. Here are ten ancient games that are still enjoyed today:
1. The Royal Game of Ur:
This ancient game, played as early as 2600 B.C.E., was popular among the Mesopotamians and spread to Central Asia. Players compete to move their pieces to the end of the board, with some squares offering safe passage and others leading to combat. You can find a modern version of this game online for less than $20.
2. Go:
Originating around 500 B.C.E. in China, Go is a strategic game played on a 19-by-19 board. The goal is to surround your opponent’s stones to win more territory. Go remains popular worldwide and even saw a highly publicized match between AlphaGo, an AI, and a human player.
3. Senet:
Played by the ancient Egyptians around 3000 B.C.E., Senet was a game with religious connotations, symbolizing the journey through the afterlife. While the exact rules are not fully known, modern attempts have been made to reconstruct the gameplay.
4. Pente Grammai:
An ancient Greek game played before 600 B.C.E., Pente Grammai was associated with men, strategy, and heroics. While the original rules are lost, modern versions of the game exist based on historical sources.
5. Mehen:
One of the oldest known games, Mehen was played by the ancient Egyptians before 3000 B.C.E. The unique spiral board could accommodate up to six players, making it distinct from other two-player games of the time.
6. Hounds and Jackals:
Dating back to around 2000 B.C.E., Hounds and Jackals was played across western Asia and Egypt. The game involved moving sticks with animal heads through tracks on the board, with the goal of reaching a specific hole.
7. Backgammon:
The origins of Backgammon are unclear, with some attributing it to the Romans and others to the Persians. The game involves moving checkers around a horseshoe-shaped path to bear them off the board.
8. Patolli:
Played by the Ancient Maya and Aztecs as early as 200 B.C.E., Patolli was a gambling game with players moving pieces around an X-shaped board. Winners could claim wagered items from the losers.
9. Hnefatafl:
Popular during the Viking Age in Europe, Hnefatafl was played with one player as the king and the other as the surrounding army. The goal was for the king to reach the edge or corner of the board while the other player tried to block the escape.
10. Ashtapada:
An ancient Indian game that served as the precursor to chess, Ashtapada involved moving pieces on an eight-by-eight board. Chess eventually replaced Ashtapada as the most popular game played on this board.
These ancient games provide a fascinating glimpse into the past while offering endless entertainment for players today. Whether you’re a fan of strategy, luck, or skill-based games, there’s something for everyone in the world of ancient board games. So why not try your hand at one of these timeless classics and experience the fun that has captivated players for thousands of years.
