📚Source Card #1
“Greek Games and Festivals in Classical Antiquity”
Sofie Remijsen, Cambridge University Press
Published: 2015
Used for: Historical context and gaming traditions
HOW WE VERIFY
Our astragali rules are reconstructed from multiple ancient sources including archaeological finds, Greek vase paintings, and literary references from Plato to Martial.
1
Archaeological Evidence
Bones found in excavations with marks indicating gaming use
2
Literary References
Greek and Roman texts describing throws, scoring, and traditions
3
Artistic Depictions
Vase paintings and sculptures showing gameplay
4
Scholarly Analysis
Modern academic interpretation of ancient evidence
CONTENT MARKERS
VerifiedVERIFIED - Confirmed by archaeological or primary literary sources
ReconstructionRECONSTRUCTION - Scholarly interpretation of fragmentary evidence
DramatizationDRAMATIZATION - Artistic license for engagement
SimulationSIMULATION - Gameplay simplification from original
PRIMARY SOURCES
📚Source Card #2
“Pollux, Onomasticon IX”
Julius Pollux, Ancient Greek Encyclopedia
Published: ~180 CE
Used for: Throw names and scoring terminology (Venus, Dogs, Vultures)
📚Source Card #3
“The History of Dice and Gaming”
David G. Schwartz, University of Nevada Press
Published: 2006
Used for: Evolution from astragali to cubic dice
📚Source Card #4
“Ancient Greek Athletics”
Stephen G. Miller, Yale University Press
Published: 2004
Used for: Archaeological evidence from excavations at Greek sites
📚Source Card #5
“Martial, Epigrams XIV”
Marcus Valerius Martialis, Roman Poetry
Published: ~86 CE
Used for: Roman gambling customs and stake traditions
CHANGELOG
2026.01 - Initial release with reconstructed scoring system
Future - Additional variants including Pentelitha (Jacks) planned