For as long as people have existed, we’ve sought entertainment. From the cave paintings of prehistoric men and women to the gladiatorial combat of Ancient Rome and the massive entertainment industry today, seeking out plain old fun is just a drive humans, like all animals, have. One way humans have fun is by engaging in various games. But what is interesting about these games is that many are so deeply entrenched in human culture that they’ve been played for millennia.
Dice Games
When people think of dice today, they think of two things: casino games or pen-and-paper RPGs. Craps and Yahtzee are two of the most popular dice games, both with deep ties to casinos and gambling culture. On the other hand, Dungeons & Dragons is growing in popularity at an increasing pace, largely thanks to video game and film adaptations like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Honor Among Thieves.
The correlation between dice and modern games may lead many to assume that dice as a gaming tool are a relatively recent invention. However, the truth is that the origin of dice can be traced back over 5000 years. Discovered in modern-day Iraq, the oldest set of dice is believed to have come from Ancient Mesopotamia and date back to 3000 BC. Crafted from the bones of animals, these dice are believed to have been primarily used as gaming implements among the locals.
But what games were played with these dice? The truth is, we don’t know much about all the games that the ancient people played. However, we know of “Senet,” a board game popular in Ancient Egypt that required players to move pieces across a rectangular board based on the roll of a six-sided die. We can see the inspiration for modern-day games like Monopoly or Man, Don’t Get Angry.
Card Games
It would not be correct to say that cards are an ancient game implement. In truth, they were created in China during the Tang Dynasty. If we were to draw a parallel to Europe, that would be somewhere around the early Medieval period (650 – 900 AD). However, the global popularity of card games makes it impossible for us not to include them on a list like this, mainly because they’ve survived for more than a millennium.
Today, card games are everywhere. You can purchase a cheap standard deck of cards in any convenience store. If that wasn’t enough, many websites, like the Americas cardroom lobby, allow fans of various card games to play them online. Poker, blackjack, and more are now all available at a mere push of a button. It doesn’t just end with standard decks, either.
- Trading Card Games
Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and various trading card games based around popular franchises like Pokemon are also hugely influential and incredibly popular. These games feature specialized cards and unique rules that cannot be replicated with a standard 52-card deck. Trading card games remain popular today, with new ones, like Hearthstone, still being released.
Sports
Sports cannot be left out of a list like this. When most people think of the ancient world, martial arts and combat sports are the first to come to mind. There is a good reason for this, as many historians believe that boxing and wrestling were the first athletic endeavors that humans came up with. It’s impressive to think about, especially considering that boxing, particularly heavyweight matchups, remains one of the most popular sports today. However, our ancient ancestors were not solely interested in fighting and war. They played various sports, including one that dominates all cultures today. We are, of course, talking about football.
- Football
Many trace the origins of modern-day football to the mid-19th century when an English University officially codified the rules for the sport. However, games similar to football have been played worldwide for thousands of years. One example is the Chinese “cuju,” which involved 12 players kicking a leather-bound ball into a rectangular goalpost. That sure sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
The Ancient Greeks had episkyros, a noteworthy ball game that may have inspired modern-day rugby. Played between two teams of 12-14 people, episkyros was a teamwork-oriented game involving full contact and hand use. While it differs from football as we know it, traces of it can be seen in American football, rugby, and Australian football.
FAQs
What constitutes the “ancient world?”
The Ancient World encompasses a relatively large period of human history. Though there is debate, most historians agree that the “ancient period” describes the time between 3000 BCE and 500 AD.
Who Invented Dice Games?
It is hard to say precisely where dice games originate. However, the oldest set of dice found can be traced back to 5000 years ago and are believed to originate from the city of Ur, located in Mesopotamia.
Are Card Games Ancient?
No, cards are believed to have been invented in China during the Tang Dynasty, which lasted between 600 AD and 900 AD. That would mean they were invented in the early Medieval period.
