Attached Link: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LOTDETAIL.ASP?intObjectID=4205385

I knew that the Romans and Greeks had cube-shaped dice based upon knuckle bones, however, this is the first news (for me) that they had polyhedral dice as well. :) Apparently there are other dice of this vintage with similar markings... now to track them down and map them to a Poser prop! I have a set of RPGdice from free stuff, but for historical scenes or arcane augeries it would be interesting and more authentic to use the antique markings. Does anybody here know of a good site where all the symbols are depicted? Carolly

Intersting. It appears to have astrological symbols on it. Maybe it was used for divination?

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Jeff

Renderosity Senior Moderator

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I suspect that it was indeed an augery device rather than a pure just-for-fun gaming piece... but those superstitious Romans mixed chance/fate into everything. I'm not sure if the symbols are astrological or alchemical. For astrology, one would expect 12 sides only (I do have a set of astrological dice with one for houses, one for signs....) It would be nice to see all 20 sides! Carolly

Very interesting. This is the first time I have seen anything of this sort from the Roman era. Thanks for sharing!