Origins of backgammon?

Commissioner · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

I have been trying to find out where exactly backgammon originated, but it seems that every source I look at tells me something different. Does anyone have any information about where the game originally came from and when? Thanks.

LippedCup · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 9

Unfortunately, the reason you are having such a hard time finding the answer to your question is because nobody is really sure. There is a lot of speculation about where backgammon originated.

Boards dating as early as 1500 BC have been found in Egypt in the tombs of Pharaohs. Supposedly they played a game similar to backgammon in order to prepare themselves for the afterlife because they believed after they died they would have to play this game against the gods in order to determine their fate. Additionally, wall paintings have been discovered in Egyptian toms of common people, which indicates that this game was played by people of all classes.

A lot of people think that the game of backgammon could have originated in China or in India (with the similarities between backgammon and the game of Parcheesi).

Still others believe that the Greeks invented backgammon. After all, the Greek variation of backgammon, Tavli, is one of the most widely played variations that has been around for longer than anyone can remember.

Variations of backgammon are also quite popular in the Middle East and have been part of the culture there for some time.

As you can see, it’s really hard to determine exactly where this game originated as it has been popular all over the world for centuries in different variations.