Roman Board Game Pieces in Gonio-Apsaros

Abstract

The present paper deals with the artefacts related to Roman board games found as a result of the archaeological excavations in Gonio-Apsaros fortification. It is widely known that there were many types of board games in ancient Rome and this is an indication of the popularity of board games in the Roman world, among all social classes. This fact is confirmed by the archaeological excavations carried out on Roman fortifications or places inhabited by Romans. Different types and shapes of board game pieces were discovered at these places which were related to board games. Roman culture, in our case the means of relaxation and entertainment was spread rapidly by Roman soldiers around the frontier regions of the empire. The round-shaped board game pieces discovered during the Gonio-Apsaros expedition are an indication of this. It is noteworthy to mention an ornament imprinted on a piece of pottery which might have the purpose of a game board.
The discovery of items related to Roman board games in the Gonio-Apsaros area clearly suggests that during the rule of the Principate, the coastline of Colchis was under the influence of the Roman Empire, both economically and politically, as well as culturally. Researching Roman board games is significant because it keeps us closely connected to the daily life of Roman military units dislocated on the coast of Colchis. It also shows the power of the spread of Roman culture in the eastern Black Sea region.