Ancient Roman Game Stones Unearthed in Hadrianopolis!
Recent archaeological excavations in Hadrianopolis, situated in the Karabük region of Turkey, have unveiled two remarkable game stones crafted from bone and dating back to the 5th century CE. These artefacts offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Roman soldiers and their engagement with strategy board games, solidifying Hadrianopolis’s reputation as both a Roman military garrison and a cultural hub.
Roman Strategy Game Pieces Discovered in Hadrianopolis
The discovery was led by Associate Professor Ersin Çelikbaş from Karabük University’s Department of Archaeology during the 2024 excavation season. This work forms part of the “Heritage for the Future” initiative by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, aiming to preserve ancient heritage while uncovering new insights into the daily lives, beliefs, and architecture of past civilisations.
The two game stones, shaped like lentils and discs, feature intricate designs: one bears a four-armed pattern, while the other showcases an eight-armed motif adorned with dots, likely etched by scratching. These symbols weren’t merely decorative; they were integral to gameplay, helping players strategise in popular Roman games such as Ludus Latrunculorum (the “Game of Robbers”) and Duodecim Scripta (the “Game of Twelve Lines”). These games, especially favoured by soldiers, required skill, planning, and intelligence—qualities essential for warfare.
Photo Credit: Wneuheisel, CC BY 2.0
A Roman Military Stronghold
The discovery of these stones adds further weight to the evidence of a Roman military presence in Hadrianopolis, which likely housed a cavalry garrison between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE. Prior excavations have revealed additional military artefacts, including a 3rd-century cavalry mask and barracks, further emphasising the city’s strategic importance.
Hadrianopolis, often referred to as the “Zeugma of the Black Sea” due to its stunning mosaics depicting animals such as horses, elephants, and mythological creatures like griffons, was a key defensive stronghold. Its location near the Roman Empire’s eastern frontier made it well-positioned to guard against incursions from the Black Sea region.
A City of Rich History
Founded as Orestias in ancient Greece, the city was renamed Hadrianopolis in honour of Roman Emperor Hadrian during the 2nd century CE. It thrived during the Chalcolithic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, boasting impressive architectural remnants such as Roman baths, a theatre, grand villas, churches, rock-cut tombs, and ceremonial niches.
As researchers prepare to resume excavations in 2025, there is hope for even more extraordinary finds. Each discovery sheds light on the vibrant and complex history of Hadrianopolis, further cementing its place as a treasure trove of Roman history.