Senet

Painting in tomb of Egyptian Queen Nefertari (1295–1255 BC)

SENET

EGYPT

4TH MILLENNIUM BCE

OTHER NAMES: Senat

Senet is one of the oldest surviving board game dating back pre-dynastic Egypt, and is heavily immersed in elements of the old religions. Senet is a well developed game even back then as evidence that commoners were playing it as well.

ORIGIN

According to Egyptian hieroglyphic depiction of the game, Senet is originate in Egypt as far back as 3,100 BCE. Surprisingly, there are other game boards similar to Senet have also been found, and predated even earlier. It suggests the game may possibly be a lot older than today's estimation.

Senet has gone through several refinement and adaptation, mostly throughout the 3rd and 2nd millennium BCE. The game incorporated the ancient religion of afterlife and the stratagems of their gods, which reveals why these game boards were found in ancient tombs buried with royalty. (1)

THE GAME

The Senet game board is a grid of 30 squares, arranged in three rows of ten. A Senet board has two sets of pawns (at least five of each and, in some sets, more, as well as shorter games with fewer). The actual rules of the game are a topic of some debate, although historians have made educated guesses. (2)

TODAY

You can still purchase the game under many of the reproduction versions online, incorporated with either traditional rules or modern rules developed by Senet historians. A game of Senet is great for venturing into the minds of ancient game players, and provides entertainment for enjoyment.

Tutankhamun's Senet Board