Backgammon (6)

6th History of Backgammon:
Backgammon in Europe

6. Conquer Europe: The Persian/Muslim Nard and the Roman Tabula met in France in the 11th century. The third dice was eliminated, but the Roman name was retained, as can be seen from the forms Tabula took as it marched across the continent: in Italy, Tavola; in Spain, Tablas; in Middle English, Tavel, then Tables; and so on. Backgammon (or Tables) began appearing in the literature of the period almost at once, by which we can track its progress even to distant Iceland (which it reached late in the 13th century).

The first European book to focus on Backgammon appeared in Spain in 1283. This book was primarily about Chess, and was compiled by scholars working under the direction of King Alfonso of Castile ("Alfonso the Wise").

As with most of the games that entered Europe in this era, Backgammon was taken up by the nobility and was soon competing with Chess for the position of most-popular game (both games were eventually dethroned by playing cards). As Backgammon filtered down to the masses, the Church tried to ban or at least contain it. These efforts failed. By the 1700s, Backgammon was the favorite pastime among vicars in the English countryside!

Innkeepers throughout Europe were soon providing Backgammon boards and sets to their customers, a tradition that goes back to the Roman empire. Obolensky and James report on a wall painting found in the excavation of Pompeii: "In one panel, a game is in process, and an argument has ensued over points. In the second, an innkeeper is throwing the two battling players out of his tavern."

Next: Edmond Hoyle and the modern Backgammon.