Unique Artifacts
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Spherical Trias of ancient Nikopolis
20.00 €
«I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.» – Alexander the Great
Spherical Trias of ancient Nikopolis (tabula lusoria in Latin) is one of the most common strategy board games that the ancient Greeks used to practice daily. It is based on the Trias of Ostia Antica (also available here) and has evolved into a much more complex game, requiring further strategic thinking. It is no coincidence that many soldiers and officers often trained in it, while it also survived in ancient Rome where it was very popular, this time under the name “tabula lusoria”.
Spherical Trias was found engraved on several archeological sites, such as on a slab of the road of ancient Nikopolis, a city built on the peninsula that separates the Amvrakikos Gulf from the Ionian Sea. In addition, several engravings of this particular board game were found on slabs of the historic city of Philippi, while the huge spherical three found engraved, almost crafted on Maximus Street, below Thessaloniki, reveals that in the middle of this busy street Roman soldiers and centurions were playing Spherical Trias.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.