Medieval game?

[Llelwyn]

So... this game HERE looks like it might be a dicing game... but what's with the round board? In the original picture it's red and yellow. So, what might that be? Could it be a shield, or is it a game board? The Romans did use round shields, I believe... but the fact that it's sitting so flat on the ground is a little confusing. What game is that? It looks like they're using at least three, possibly four dice.

Context: painting of the crucifixion with the soldiers gambling for the robe. Andrea Mantegna (1430/31-1506), Italian, Crucifixion, painted between 1457 and 1459 for the church of San Zeno in Verona. Part of a large three-part alterpiece. Now resides in the Louvre.

The image I have linked is a spot of just the gaming and the soliders.

A larger, color picture of the whole painting. Might indicate that the board is not a shield, given that the only other shield in the painting is a different style.  

[north_of_nita]

I dont know for a fact but it reminds me of a gambling game my local gamesmaster was telling me about. You would bet how many stones would land on each color. Again I dont know that for a fact but just passing on what I know.  

[Llelwyn]

north_of_nita

I dont know for a fact but it reminds me of a gambling game my local gamesmaster was telling me about. You would bet how many stones would land on each color. Again I dont know that for a fact but just passing on what I know.

Hmmm... that sounds interesting, and perhaps likely. Do you happen to know the name of the game? The time period/region it was played in?  

[TheSteven]

Actually, yes! I think I know what it is!


It looks like Round Merrils, which was a common variation of Three Man's Morris. The round board has the right amount of wedges (eight) and the player is holding three tokens, which was the most common number of playing pieces.

Info here:

http://www.romanglassmakers.co.uk/games.htm
Just scroll down to the bottom.


(It's a fun game, btw. I prefer Nine-Man myself... but that's just personal preference.)  

[Felix OFlyn]

They were casting lots for the exicuted peoplec clothing and what not. It was pretty much a type of lottory.  

[north_of_nita]

To Llelwyn
I dont remember all that much about it sweatdrop I was told about it over a year ago. Ill talk to my gamesmaster about it if you want though.

To TheSteven
It doesnt have the right markings or the right amout of tokens, both players would have to have 3 tokens not just the one player. But then again I could be wrong, its been known to happen. xd  

[Llelwyn]

Rial k**e

They were casting lots for the exicuted peoplec clothing and what not. It was pretty much a type of lottory.

Documentation? Not to be a prig or anything, but I'd like to read about the system.  

[Llelwyn]

TheSteven

Actually, yes! I think I know what it is!


It looks like Round Merrils, which was a common variation of Three Man's Morris. The round board has the right amount of wedges (eight) and the player is holding three tokens, which was the most common number of playing pieces.

Info here:

http://www.romanglassmakers.co.uk/games.htm
Just scroll down to the bottom.


(It's a fun game, btw. I prefer Nine-Man myself... but that's just personal preference.)

Iiiiiiinteresting... Hm... I prefer nine and twelve-man morris.

That's a distinct possibility.  

[Llelwyn]

north_of_nita

To Llelwyn
I dont remember all that much about it sweatdrop I was told about it over a year ago. Ill talk to my gamesmaster about it if you want though.

I'd very much appreciate that. 3nodding  

[Felix OFlyn]

Llelwyn

Rial k**e

They were casting lots for the exicuted peoplec clothing and what not. It was pretty much a type of lottory.

Documentation? Not to be a prig or anything, but I'd like to read about the system.

The bible....  

[Llelwyn]

Rial k**e

Llelwyn

Rial k**e

They were casting lots for the exicuted peoplec clothing and what not. It was pretty much a type of lottory.

Documentation? Not to be a prig or anything, but I'd like to read about the system.

The bible....

...See, that isn't really helpful. That doesn't tell me what KIND of game it is, how it was played, nor does it give me any real information about whether or not the game I'm seeing in this painting is actually that one or is a contemporary game that the artist adapted to fit the subject matter.  

[Felix OFlyn]

Llelwyn

Rial k**e

Llelwyn

Rial k**e

They were casting lots for the exicuted peoplec clothing and what not. It was pretty much a type of lottory.

Documentation? Not to be a prig or anything, but I'd like to read about the system.

The bible....

...See, that isn't really helpful. That doesn't tell me what KIND of game it is, how it was played, nor does it give me any real information about whether or not the game I'm seeing in this painting is actually that one or is a contemporary game that the artist adapted to fit the subject matter.

Its the equivalant of putting names in a hat and drawing one at random.