46. This game, which might be translated by the more
familiar names of 'trictrac', or backgammon was a favourite
amusement of the gravest Rornans, and old Mucius Scaevola,
the lawyer, had the reputation of a very skilful player. It
was called 'ludus duodecim scriptorum', from the twelve
'scripta' or lines which equally divided the 'alveolus' or
table. On these the two armies, the white and the black,
each consisting of fifteen men, or 'calculi', were regularly
placed and alternately moved according to the laws of the
game and the chances of the 'tesserae' or dice. Dr. Hyde,
who diligently traces the history and varieties of the
'nerdiludium' (a name of Persic etymology) from Ireland to
Japan, pours forth on this trifling subject a copious
torrent of classic and Oriental learning. See Syntagma
Dissertat. tom. ii. p. 217-405.