Ludology GameTek Classic 209.5 - The Vice of Dice
Sep 29, 2019
Explore the intriguing history of dice and their societal stigma across ancient civilizations. Discover how early cultures navigated the moral complexities of gambling. Delve into the dramatic tale from the Mahabharata, where a fateful dice game ignited a fierce rivalry, revealing the dangers of obsession and manipulation. This captivating discussion uncovers both the rich heritage of dice gaming and its darker implications.
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Dice as Enduring Cultural Vice
- Dice have been regarded as a vice throughout history and often met with societal disapproval.
- Ancient Greeks depicted dice games in art reflecting fate and favor, like Achilles beating Ajax in a dice game.
Ancient Greek Dice Game Story
- Greek vases show Achilles and Ajax playing dice with Athena favoring Achilles.
- Achilles relaxes confidently while Ajax is tense, reflecting Ajax's tragic fate of always being second best.
Roman Gambling and Casino Innovations
- Despite being illegal in Ancient Rome, gambling with dice was common and included cheating.
- Innovations like casino chips and dice towers originated from attempts to control cheating and gambling.