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Small Roman Lead Dice browse these categories for related items... Directory: Archives:Regional Art:Ancient World:Roman: Pre AD 1000: Item # 420382
Janus Antiquities By Appointment New Jersey (330) 612-3957 Guest Book SOLD |
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Playing dice was a popular passtime among both the rich and the poor of the Roman empire. Evidence from vase paintings and frescoes indicates that 2-3 dice were in play during most games, and the dice were tossed after shaking them in a cup. Gambling became such an obsession for some Romans, and such a social problem in general, that the government was forced to restrict it. This was indeed unusual for the Romans, as they rarely restricted any type of civil or business activity. The Republic restricted gambling to the week-long festivities surrounding the Saturnalia (the modern Christmas & New Year's holidays). Under Roman Law, games of chance played for money were forbidden under the penalty of a fine fixed at four times the value of the stakes. Given the popularity of gambling, these edicts probably caused most gaming tables to simply be moved indoors to private clubs. Evidence suggests that different clubs even had unique roundels, small clay tokens used exactly as we use gambling chips today.
AGE: Ca. 2nd century A.D. CONDITION: Left encrusted as evidence of age, otherwise intact and it good shape. DIMENSIONS: 1.1 cm square |
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