Roman War Games Discovered at Hadrianopolis

Understanding the military and cultural practices of the Roman Empire often relies on material discoveries shedding light on the habits of soldiers and their daily lives. In Hadrianopolis, an ancient Roman city located in the current province of Karabük, in Turkey, excavations, as part of the Geleceğe Miras (Heritage for the Future) project, promoted by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, carried out by Karabük University and supervised by Professor Ersin Çelikbaş, recently unearthed two bone playing stones dating back to the 5th century.

These objects, associated with strategy games like Ludus Latrunculi and Doudecim Scripta, reveal not only the hobbies of soldiers, but also their role in tactical training and the consolidation of military skills. This discovery, in a region marked by a strong Roman presence, offers a new perspective on the use of leisure as a strategic tool within the Roman army.

Hadrianopolis: a city between military history and cultural wealth

Hadrianopolis was located in Paphlagonia, a historic region of Asia Minor. It was located in the north of present-day Turkey, bordered by the Black Sea, in the current province of Karabük. Hadrianopolis is an ancient city whose cultural and strategic importance still shines thanks to archaeological discoveries. It is nicknamed the “Zeugma of the Black Sea”. This title refers to Zeugma, a famous Roman city. It remains famous for its impressive mosaics representing mythological and animal scenes.

Likewise, Hadrianopolis is adorned with spectacular mosaics depicting horses, elephants, panthers and griffins. Founded under Emperor Hadrian, the city flourished as a commercial and religious crossroads. It simultaneously played a crucial military role on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. The city of Hadrianopolis is also known as Caesarea and Proseilemmène. It remains famous for being the birthplace of two saints: Alypios the Stylite and Stylianos of Paphlagonia.

© Orhan Kuzu/AA

The archaeological work led by Professor Ersin Çelikbaş has highlighted the richness of this site. Excavations have revealed varied remains, ranging from Roman baths and villas to religious and defensive structures. There you can see a theater and monumental structures such as arches and ceremonial niches. The discoveries show a city where military life coexisted with a strong spiritual anchor. One of the most notable discoveries is a Roman iron cavalry mask dating from the 3rd century. It confirms the lasting presence of a garrison, lasting 200 to 300 years. This city thus combined cultural, economic and defensive functions, testifying to the sophisticated organization of the Empire.

Game stones: reflections of a military strategy

The gaming stones discovered at Hadrianopolis offer testimony to the importance of strategy games in the military training of the Roman Empire. These objects are finely sculpted in bone. They are distinguished by their particular shape – lens or disc – and by complex engravings. There are patterns with four or eight arms. These symbols suggest a utilitarian function within popular tactical games of the time, according to Professor Ersin Çelikbas. Among these games, the Ludus Latrunculi and the Doudecim Scripta were particularly prized by Roman soldiers.

THE Ludus Latrunculior “robbers' game”, is a board game for two players where each participant controls sixteen pieces. The objective is to capture all enemy pieces, through a combination of offensive and defensive tactics, reminiscent of the principles of command on the battlefield. Thus, a piece is captured when it is surrounded by two opposing pieces on adjacent squares, horizontally or vertically. This rule, known as capture by encirclement, is essential to the game's strategy. However, if a piece is intentionally placed between two enemies, it is not captured, as this is considered a deliberate action.

At the same time, the Doudecim Scripta – meaning “game of twelve lines” – is played on a board divided into three rows of twelve columns. This game is often compared to backgammon. It emphasized resource management and strategic movement of pieces, simulating complex military scenarios. The objective is to move all your pawns from a starting point to an ending point, avoiding capture by the opponent. A capture occurs when a pawn lands on a square occupied by an isolated opponent's pawn, the latter being removed from the board.

Further proof of the military role of Hadrianopolis

The discovery of bone playing stones in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis provides tangible evidence of its role as a strategic military garrison of the Roman Empire. Located near the eastern border of the Empire, Hadrianopolis occupied a key position in protecting the region from incursions from peoples from the north and east. The strategic games discovered at the site illustrate a well-established practice among stationed troops: the use of structured leisure activities to refine military skills. These games are far from being simple distractions. They made it possible to simulate battles and train soldiers to anticipate enemy movements. They attempted to develop plans and learned to manage resources, crucial skills on the battlefield.

© Orhan Kuzu/AA

Professor Ersin Çelikbaş sheds light on the Roman approach to military training. Fun activities played an essential role. Roman soldiers were certainly physically trained. But they were also trained intellectually, which distinguished them from the less organized armies of their adversaries. The games discovered at Hadrianopolis demonstrate the extent to which the Empire invested in strategic ingenuity, even at remote posts. These objects also reflect the daily life of the troops, where leisure served as a natural extension of military training. The subtle integration of learning into entertainment shows a Roman military culture attentive to the all-round development of its soldiers. It thus strengthened the discipline and cohesion of the units stationed on this crucial border.

Source: Karabük Universitesi