Ludi Romani: The Public Games\n\n The Ludi, or public games, were a source of entertainment for ancient Romans. From the drama of theater plays to the brutality of gladiatorial combat, the Ludi grew in popularity until it was said that the Roman people sought only two things: "bread and circus."

Beyond Chariot Races, Gladiatorial duels and slaughtering Christians for sport, the Romans played a number of board games, including Ludus Latrunculi (sometimes known as Roman Chess), Merels (Nine Mens Morris), Duodecim Scripta, Tic-Tac-Toe (Terni Lapilli) and Tabula (an ancestor of Backgammon).