Ludus duodecim scriptorum

Ludus duodecim scriptorum, or XII scripta, was a board game popular during the time of the Roman Empire.

[1] It has been speculated that XII scripta is related to the Egyptian game senet.

A possible "beginners' board", having spaces marked with letters, has suggested a possible path for the movement of pieces.

[1] The earliest known mention of the game is in Ovid's Ars Amatoria (The Art of Love) (written between 1 BC and 8 AD).

An ancient example of the game was excavated at the archaeological site of Kibyra in southern Turkey.

XII scripta board in the museum at Ephesus
Roman board from the 2nd century, Aphrodisias