Unique Artifacts
to cherish for a lifetime
Enneadi of Ancient Epidaurus
25.00 €
«War is the father and king of all.» – Heraclitus
In ancient Greece, a well-known strategy board game was “Enneadi” (“Εννεάδαι” in ancient Greek). During a round, two players (“πεσευτές”) came into battle with an army of nine pieces each. A coin flip determined who would move first, and upon this turn of luck, a very interesting strategy was unfolded by both players.
According to many modern historians, Enneadi is an ancient Greek invention whose origins are lost in the depths of time. Some early references support the fact that famous and less-known soldiers played it during the Trojan War. It was found engraved in many archaeological sites in Greece and abroad, such as the Great Propylaea at the Sanctuary of Eleusis and the ancient Epidaurus. They are dated back to the classical and pre-classical times.
Enneadi was such a beloved board game that it survived until the Middle Ages, when it became one of the most popular games, along with backgammon and chess.
In the world of Classical Greece, War and Rhetoric (in the sense of political confrontation) were considered the ideal fields to practice virtue and sharpen your mind. Whether you were the offspring of a eupatrid (member of the nobility of ancient Athens) or a farmer’s child, the Greeks had the opportunity to stand out for their ability to win “battles” and lead. In this endeavor, strategic thinking was the most valuable asset.
This is why ancient Greeks designed a series of highly educational board games through which the youngsters sharpened their minds and developed critical thinking. It is no coincidence that Lysimachus, tutor of Alexander the Great, devised a game for the latter to practice. He was encouraged to play the role of Achilles, and the latter gradually became an archetypal figure (that of the “noble warrior”) in the youthful mind of Alexander the Great. What Alexander the Great did next is well-known all over the world.
Museum
Shop
Pieces of history
Bring the Museum
back Home
There is no benefit when music stands secret and hidden.
— Lucian, 2nd c. CE
SEIKILO Museum offers a fine selection of premium products closely related to our ancient world's musical heritage. Whether a replica of a lyre or another ancient musical instrument, sheet music of ancient surviving melodies, books about the history & myths of music in ancient Greece, or pristine quality recordings of ancient-inspired melodies, you can take with you a unique piece of history that you will cherish for a lifetime and even pass on to the next generation of your family.
Explore more in the options below...
Bring the Museum to your Home
Acquire an Artifact
Discover the magic of ancient music with the handcrafted instrument recreations of the unique SEIKILO collection, such as a lyre, a kithara, a phorminx, or a pandura!
Preserve the Stories
All the myths and stories you heard during your visit to the SEIKILO Museum are but a mere fragment of what was written. Explore the legacy of the lyre through SEIKILO museum-quality books!
Experience Ancient Music at Home
Replicate the amazing experience of a SEIKILO museum visit by listening to studio-quality recordings of surviving ancient melodies and contemporary compositions on ancient musical instruments.
Ancient Games, Modern Play
Αncient Greeks designed a series of highly educational games through which the youngsters sharpened their minds and developed critical thinking. Experience the timelessness of play with our series of ancient board games for the whole family, handcrafted with premium materials.