Take a trip back to ancient Rome, where gladiators clashed in the Colosseum, emperors ruled with iron fists, and people loved a good gamble. Believe it or not, some games in modern casinos have roots in this era. Whether it was rolling dice in dark taverns, betting on chariot races, or playing a primitive form of blackjack, Romans had a strong appetite for games of chance. Even today, when people enjoy gambling at National Casino or any other platform, they are unknowingly participating in a tradition that started thousands of years ago.
Tesserae and Alea: The Roman Dice Games
One of the most favorite games among the people of ancient Rome was dice. Tesserae or Alea were games played using simple yet addictive devices. Romans used cube-shaped small dice quite similar to those we see today and played various betting games with these little things. Sometimes, the rules are simple: whoever throws the highest wins, but most of the time, there are complicated rules by which certain combinations are defined as winning.
With no special arrangements, just two dice and a delimited surface to roll, everything else was in place for dice play. Soldiers played in their camps; everyday folks played on the streets while emperors themselves rolled the dice. Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, enjoyed a game with Claudius, another Roman ruler known for writing a book on dice play. Derisively, gambling was frowned upon all over the place, and tight laws were placed to control it. However, once people closed their doors, they played as much as they liked.
Tabula: The Ancestor of Backgammon
If you’ve ever played backgammon, you might be surprised to know that it has deep Roman roots. The Romans played their version of the game, called Tabula, meaning “board.” It involved moving pieces according to the roll of three dice, similar to how backgammon is played today.
Not only was this game a diversion, but it was also a gambler’s favorite. The players bet on the winner, sometimes gambling money, foodstuffs, or personal items. It required skill and some luck, thereby making it all the more exhilarating. Even Roman archaeologists have unearthed ancient gaming boards with recesses carved on stone surfaces, clinching the argument for its popularity.
Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum: The Roman Board Game for Betting
Before Tabula, the game was Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, played on a dice board. The name translates as “The Game of Twelve Lines,” another predecessor of backgammon. Members moved pieces around the board according to dice rolls, with betting on the outcome prevalent.
Unlike the simpler dice games like Hazard, it needed considerable strategy. It was not a matter of rolling lucky numbers and moving when the right opening presented itself. The interaction of luck and skill created a popular forum in Roman inns and gambling houses.
Betting on Chariot Races and Gladiator Fights
While gambling and dice or board games were cherished, bets on chariot races or gladiators were also common. These spectacles occupied most Roman people’s attention, and betting in attendance was fun.
Hundreds of thousands converged in a large arena. They called it Circus Maximus and screamed their heads off for their jockeying teams. Managers took bets on specific characters or horses in hopes of cashing in on a big win. It was risky, though. Accidents were commonplace, and just one crash could change everything.
