CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



827 



Greeks and Romans numerical values were attributed to the four long 

 sides, the two pointed ends not being counted. The two broad sides, 

 respectively convex and concave, counted three and four, while of the 

 narrow sides, the Hat counted one and the indented six. The numbers 

 two and live were wanting.' 



Several names, both Greek and Latin, are recorded for each of the 

 throws. 



Two persons played together at this game, using four bones, which they threw 

 into the air, or emptied out of a dieebox ( fritilliis) . The numbers on the four sides 

 of the four bones admitted of thirty-five different combinations. The lowest throw 

 oi" all was four aces, but the value of a throw was not in all cases the sum of the 



Fig. 147. 



STICK-DICE. 



Bohemia (Hradischt near Stradonitz). 



After Osboriu". 



four numbers turned up. The highest in value was that called Venus, iu which the 

 numbers cast up were all different. Certain other throws were called by particular 

 names, taken from gods, illustrious men and women, and heroes. These bones, 

 marked and thrown as above described, were also used in divination.' 



Among the Turks, Arabs, Persians, the four throws with a single 

 knuckle bone receive the names of the four ranks of human society. 

 Thus, among the Persians, according to Dr. Hyde, they were called as 

 follows :^ 



Siipinum, Dudz, " thief." 

 Pronum, Dihban, "peasant." 

 Planum, Vezir. 

 Tortuosum, Shah. 



' Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Anti([uities, Art. Tahts. 

 ■^ Thomas Hyde, De Ludis Orieutalibus, Oxford, 1691, p. 147. 



