Pente Grammai (Calculi), Lucky Six (Felix Sex), Dodeka Grammai (Duocim Scripta): Ancient Greek Board Games (Greek Edition)

Calculi means "stones" (or "pebbles" or "counters") in Latin. Stones were used for counting before the abacus was introduced, hence the word 'calculate'. The Latin term ludus calculorum means "the game of stones", but the references are general and unclear. To be sure, there is no evidence that there was a specific game called Ludus Calculorum. Pente Grammai means "five lines" and was an Ancient Greek game. It has been suggested that this is the game that ancient Greeks play uses more than a five-lined board (more than five stones are evident) and is most surely Petteia (aka Polis or City). Pente grammai is played with stones on a five by five board and the game uses dice throws to determine each players moves. This game was played all across the ancient Empires, in taverns, brothels, private homes, and frontier forts. Numerous boards have been found from Egypt to Britain, but especially in and around Rome.