Ancient Egyptian Games
Ancient Egyptian Games
The Ancient Egyptians loved to play games, just a we do today. There
were indoor games specifically for adults and toys and games
specifically for children. There are many similarities we the games
played in Ancient Egypt and modern games. For details of outdoor games
and sports please click the following link:
Ancient Egyptian Sports
Ancient Egyptian Games
for Adults
The Ancient Egyptian loved games and they loved to gamble. These two
activities were combined in the numerous board games which were designed
specifically for adults. The names of the most popular board games
played by the Ancient Egyptians were as follows:
-
Senet -
reflecting the journey to the afterlife. Played with colored
sticks and counters
-
Dogs and Jackals
(aka Hounds and Jackals) - Played with Dog and jackal heads
on a stick. This game was featured in the 1950'S movie The
Ten Commandments
-
Mehen aka the
Game of the Snake - played with several people with marbles
and animal pieces. Featured a spiral game board in the form
of a snake
-
Pwer - similar
to checkers
The rules explaining how to
play these games have not survived, they can only be guessed.
Ancient Egyptian
Indoor Games and Toys for Children
Ancient Egyptian children had a variety of toys and games to play with.
Some of the above adult board games were played by children. Toys
reflected people, objects and events which were common in everyday life.
Girls played with toys reflecting the woman's role in Ancient Egypt and
boys played with toys reflecting a man's role. Baby toys included
distracting toys such as rattles. The most popular games and toys played
by the Ancient Egyptians are detailed below.
Ancient Egyptian Games
and Toys for Girls
Ancient Egyptians girls were known to play games which involved dancing
as this type of activity has been depicted on drawings. Ball games,
which were made of papyrus, involving standing, running and jumping were
also popular. Dolls were favorite toys for girls and made of wood, clay,
papyrus or linen. Children have always been fascinated by animals and a
variety of these animal toys were made as mechanical devices or with
draw strings and had moving parts. The girls also enjoyed dressing in
adult clothes and applying make-up.
Ancient Egyptian
Boys Games and Toys
The boys also played ball games and with animal toys. They also enjoyed
more boisterous games and piggy back and leapfrog. Toy swords and spears
were used emulating male adults. Marbles, darts and bowls were also used
in favorite games for boys. The Nile played such a great part in
everyday life that activities surrounding the river were also popular
especially toy boats.
Ancient Egyptian Games
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
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