A Historical Look at Backgammon

Backgammon is believed to be the oldest game ever recorded in history. Many people believe that the origins of backgammon begun in Mesopotamia in the Persian Empire. Mesopotamia is now known as Iran, Iraq and Syria. The Egyptians, Romans, Persians and Sumerians are also believed to have played this game.

Backgammon is commonly played on a wood surface, players from the old days used stones as their markers and their dice were made out of pottery, wood or even bones.

There are artifacts that have been revealed about ancient civilizations that this game has come from. An old relic of a board game was excavated in Egypt; the game board has a size of 3x10, 3x6 and 3x12 squares. The board game was called "The Game of Thirty Squares" or "Senat".

The artifacts were dated around 3000-1788 BC, however, the rules of the game and the use of the dice were unknown. In 2600BC another wooded board was excavated from the Royal tomb of the Ur al Chaldees. This was called "The Royal Games of Ur".

In the year 177BC a set of rules for the game was said to be found.

Ramon Backgammon

There is evidence about the game left by Romans which was called, "Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum". This was also known as "The Game of 12 Lines". This had leather boards with 30 sets of markers, 15 pieces of ivory and 15 pieces of ebony. This has been dated back to 600AD. Romans believed that this game was derived from the Egyptian Senat game.

The old game of Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum was put back and replaced when it came to Britain in the 1st Century, the game was now referred to as "Tabula" a 2x12 lines instead of having 3x12 lines.

Backgammon in Asia

Backgammon is known by the name "Nard" in Asia. The game appeared in 800AD in Asia and Persia. The game "Nard" has similar rules with Alea that makes use of 2 dice to move checkers or markers.

Nard is also known by the names "Nardshir", "Nard-i-shir" and "Nardeeshir. The name Nard is a name for wood in Persia, which is where the board is made up from.

In China, the game is known by "T'shu-p'u". This game arrived in China in the Wei dynasty in 220-265AD and it became popular in 479-1000AD.

In Japan this game is called "Sugoroku".

In Europe the game of "Nard" was introduced in 902AD.

Modern Backgammon

1920-1960

This game was introduced in New York in 1920's by an unknown gambler. The rules were modified in the United States in the year 1931. The popularity of backgammon increased more in the 1940's during the depression.

1960-1990

Prince Alexis Obelensky helped backgammon to be popular in the 1960's. He also promoted the first tournament of backgammon and made the game official in the Bahamas.

In 1970 backgammon was on the height of its popularity. However, in the 1980's backgammon's success declined because of video games especially for younger generations.

1990-Present

The birth of modern revolution software of games includes backgammon in their online games.