Roll back time at free ancient board games day in Reading

Families and games fans are invited to play like the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans at a free Ancient Games Day in Reading on Saturday 7 November, 10am to 5pm.

Run by Dr Tim Penn, a Classics lecturer at the University of Reading, his games squad, and the independent shop Eclectic Games, this event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities.

Visitors can drop in to try versions of games played thousands of years ago, including the Egyptian game Mehen and the Roman game Ludus Latrunculorum. Because only fragments of the original boards and few – if any – rules survive, players will be encouraged to fill the gaps with rules of their own.

A second room will feature modern board games set in the ancient world, such as Concordia and Imhotep, with historians on hand to explain what the games get right and wrong.

At 1pm, game designer Dr James Wallis will lead a hands-on 4-hour workshop for adults, inviting people to design their own versions of ancient games or produce their own games inspired by antiquity. No experience is needed.

At 11am and 2:30pm, Jess Methingham from Dissent Campaigns & Games will run board game design workshops for young gamers aged 8-15 and their responsible adults.

Dr Tim Penn said: “People in the ancient world loved games just as much as we do, but we have often lost the rules or incomplete boards or components. This day is a chance for everyone to pick up the pieces, have a go and help us imagine how these games might have been played. You don’t need to know anything about history, just come along and play.”

The drop-in activities are open to all ages, with under-16s accompanied by an adult. The design workshop with Dr James Wallisis for ages 18+, and with Jess Methingham for accompanying adults. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment:https://www.eclecticgames.co.uk/s/being-human-festival