Bignor Ludus

At the Bignor Roman Villa in West Sussex, England, some very impressive mosaics are on display. Also on display are the rules of a game, called Bignor Ludus, presented as if it were associated in some way with the site. This game is a rich and interesting variant of the modern Draughts (or Checkers).

Set out and play as for draughts except only one move/take per turn. When taken do not remove counter from board, but place it under taker counter to form a column, When the opposite side is reached turn the counter (or top counter of a column) over. This shows * and now becomes an officer and can move diagonally in any direction. If taken the top counter only of a column is lost, being added to the bottom of the taker's column. The letter/colour of the top counter denotes ownership of the column. Officers stay as officers. The game ends when one side cannot move.

It is not the same as the Roman game of Latrunculi (or Brigands), as described in Laus Pisonis, written by a contemporary of Nero. Latrunculi was played on a 7x8, 8x8, 9x10 or 8x12 board, and one piece on each side was a Dux (or King) with different powers.

However, it is a very similar game to Lasca (or Laska), invented by chess champion Emanuel Lasker and published in 1911. The only difference is that in Lasca multiple captures are possible in the same move, just as in Draughts. This gives Bignor Ludus a slightly less wild, more positional character.

See also

• Lasca
• Latrunculi
• De Laude Pisonis (or Laus Pisonis) probably by Gaius Calpurnius Piso
• Les Jeux des Anciens by Becq de Fouquires