Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Dice
Period: 1500+

Glückshaus (German for “House of Fortune”) is a traditional dice game of luck and simple strategy. Played since the late Middle Ages, it uses a specially numbered board and two dice. Each number represents a “room” in the house, some of which have symbolic or festive meanings—most notably the Pig, Wedding, and King.

History of Glückshaus

• Origins: Glückshaus originated in 15th or 16th century Germany, and became popular across Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Skill
Period: 1400BC+

Knucklebones is an ancient game of skill and chance, originally played with the ankle bones (astragali) of sheep or goats. It has appeared in cultures across ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Central Asia, and is considered an ancestor to dice and modern dexterity games like jacks.

History of Knucklebones

• Ancient Origins: Dates back at least to 1400 BCE in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 116BC Ludus Latrunculorum, often simply called Latrones or the Game of Brigands, was a strategic Roman board game of tactics and capture, bearing resemblance to both chess and draughts. Though the full rules have been lost, a compelling reconstruction has been developed from literary and archaeological sources.

History of Ludus Latrunculorum

• Origins: Roman Empire, possibly adapted from earlier Greek games like Petteia or Poleis.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Board
Period: 1400BC+

Three Men’s Morris Also known as 3 Men’s Morris, Tapatan (in the Philippines), or Tic-Tac-Toe’s clever cousin, this is the most compact and swift version of the Morris games. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and ideal for young learners or fast, strategic duels.

History of Three Men’s Morris

• Ancient Beginnings: Archaeological finds suggest Three Men’s Morris is among the oldest known board games, with roots possibly stretching back to early Egypt, Greece, and India. Boards scratched into stone slabs have been uncovered in temples and ancient homes.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century

Twelve Men’s Morris (also known as 12 Men’s Morris, Merelles, or Mühle) is a classic abstract strategy board game that dates back to the Roman Empire. It’s part of the larger family of Morris games, including Three Men’s Morris, Six Men’s Morris, and Nine Men’s Morris.

History of Twelve Men’s Morris

• Ancient Roots: The game originates from the Roman Empire and may be even older, with precursors in ancient Egypt. Boards scratched into stone have been found at temples and military sites.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: 14th Century BC

Nine Mans Morris Also called 9 Men’s Morris, Mill, Merels, or Mühle, this is the most famous and widely played variant of the Morris family of games. It combines simplicity and strategic depth, with roots in ancient history and a legacy across cultures.

History of Nine Men’s Morris

• Ancient Origins: Nine Men’s Morris may trace its roots to ancient Egypt, with boards dating back to around 1400 BCE. The Romans popularised it across Europe, and it spread through military and cultural contact.

Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Card
Period: 15th Century

One and Thirty (also written 31, Einunddreißig, or Trente-et-un) is a classic gambling card game of European origin. Played in taverns and courts from the 16th century onward, it is considered one of the oldest recorded games of its kind and a precursor to blackjack. The aim is simple: assemble a hand as close as possible to thirty-one points, ideally in a single suit.

Number of players: 2-4 Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (2006)

Herkle is an adaption of Qwirkle, a modern abstract strategy game for 2 to 4 players, involving matching tiles by colour and shape in a grid. Created by Susan McKinley Ross and published in 2006, the game has won numerous awards, including the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2011. It is easy to learn and well-suited for families, combining elements of dominoes, Scrabble, and set collection.

Number of players: 2
Type of game: Boardgame
Period: Period-esq (2010)

History

Mijnlieff is a period-esq game designed by Andy Hopwood in 2010.

The standard game is played on a 4 x 4 square grid. Each Player has eight pieces with two of four different symbols. Each piece when played determines where your opponent can play their next piece.

In Mijnlieff each piece you play instructs your opponent to play in a straight line (either orthogonally or diagonally) from the piece just played, to play away from, or to play adjacent to the piece just played. The aim is to form lines of 3 but with your opponent controlling where you can play this is harder than it sounds. If you can play so your opponent is unable to go you get a free play anywhere on the board.