Page 13 - Pompeii n. 12 - The world of money at Pompeii
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English version
Many dice specimens have been found in the Vesuvian cities and elsewhere, clearly
showing how popular gambling was at the time, as widely attested by our sources.
Indeed we find the fritillus as a sign for gambling dens, and there is no shortage of
engaging depictions of dice players in taverns, sometimes fighting, as in the small picture
painted in caupona VI 14, 36.
Dice were also used for games of skill generally played on a tabula lusoria, a sort of
chessboard. Under these circumstances, it was necessary for the players to reconcile
their calculations with the luck factor.
Loaded dice have also been found, weighted with lead on the inside of one face to
get a certain number is rolled.
NAPLES, NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, , Dice gamblers. From Pompei, Caupona
of Salvius. Inv. 111482. ©SSBAPES.
POMPEII, DEPOSITS. Rigged dice. From Pompei, House of Indian Statuette. Inv.7034B.
©SSBAPES.
POMPEII, DEPOSITS. Astragals. Form Pompeii. House I,12,6. Inv. 13284A-B.
©SSBAPES.
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