Ludus latrunculorum

Sympkyn of the Moor

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.

  • Name Meaning: “The Game of Mercenaries” or “The Game of Brigands”.

  • Sources:

    • Described by Roman authors like Ovid, Martial, and Varro.

    • Archaeological finds include boards inscribed on Roman tiles and stone benches.

  • Cultural Role:

    • Played by soldiers and citizens alike.

    • Likely used as both entertainment and tactical training.

Traditional Rules (Reconstructed)

Board and Pieces

  • Board Size: Variable, often 8×8, 9×10, or 12×8 grids. Common modern reconstructions use 8×8.

  • Pieces:

    • Each player has an equal number of soldiers (latrones), typically 16.

    • Some versions include a dux or king-like leader piece for each side.

    • Pieces are identical except for colour.

Setup

  • Players line up their pieces in one or two rows along opposite ends of the board.

  • The central squares are left empty.

  • If a dux is used, it is placed in the centre of the player’s row.

Gameplay

  • Players take turns moving one piece per turn.

  • Pieces move orthogonally (like a rook in chess) any number of empty spaces.

  • No diagonal movement.

Capturing

  • A piece is captured by custodianship:

    • When an enemy piece is flanked on two opposite orthogonal sides by your pieces, it is removed.

    • Example: [Y][X][Y] captures X, where Y is your piece and X is the opponent’s.

  • Captures must be completed by active movement (i.e., you must move to complete the flank).

  • In most reconstructions:

    • If you move between two enemy pieces, you are not captured (i.e., suicide moves are not punished).

    • Multiple captures may occur in a single move.

Dux Variant

If playing with a dux (leader piece):

  • The dux has the same movement as other pieces.

  • It may be captured only when surrounded on all four orthogonal sides.

  • Objective may change to capture the enemy dux or immobilise all enemy pieces.

Winning the Game

  • Standard Victory: Immobilise or capture all opponent’s pieces.

  • Dux Variant Victory:

    • Capture the opponent’s dux, or

    • Prevent all their pieces from moving (stalemate them).

Optional and Variant Rules

1. Dux Optional

  • Some versions include no dux; all pieces are equal.

2. Stalemate Victory

  • If you surround an enemy piece such that it has no legal moves, it may count as captured or immobilised.

3. Encampments

  • Special squares (central or corners) may be marked as “safe zones” where a piece cannot be captured.

4. Greek Variant (Petteia)

  • Similar mechanics but always without a dux; used more as a philosophical metaphor than a full strategy game.

5. Multiple Captures

  • Capturing more than one piece at once is allowed if multiple flanking formations are created by a single move.

Summary Table

Rule Area Description
Players 2
Board Usually 8×8 or 9×10
Pieces 16–24 per player; optional dux (leader)
Movement Orthogonal, any distance, like a rook
Capturing Flanking (custodian capture)
Victory Capture or immobilise opponent’s pieces
Style Abstract, tactical, positional