An introduction to backgammon history

Backgammon history begins five thousand years ago in the ancient east where archaeologists have unearthed remains of backgammon boards, backgammon dice and backgammon pieces from royal complexes both in ancient Egypt and the ancient Mesopotamian superpower of Sumer where backgammon was known as The Royal Game of Ur , The Game of Thirty Squares, or Senat.

The Romans played their part in backgammon history, developing their own version known as ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, or, The Game of 12 Lines. The backgammon board at this stage was leather, with 3x12 lines, and already the backgammon pieces numbered 30; 15 ebony and 15 ivory. By the first century c.e., the backgammon board began to more closely resemble the modern board, at this point reduced to 2x12 lines. At this juncture in backgammon history backgammon became known as tabula and remained a game for rulers and the educated classes. Soon backgammon became known as Alea; still popular with the gentry, with large sums of money often being gambled on a game.

In Asia backgammon was known as Nard, whilst in China it was called Tshu-pu where it was very popular during the second half of the first millennia c.e. In Japan, it was called Sugoroku, and whilst there were slight variations in the games, the basic idea was the same.

Backgammon history shows a golden age in Europe during the first half of the second millennia c.e. when it became known as Tables. It was only in the 16th century that chess overtook tables as the game of the gentry.