Play the game of the Pharaohs

Egypt Then and Now (Ben Morales-Correa)

The ancient Egyptian game of Senet is one of the oldest board games known, dating to Predynastic Egypt, circa 3500 BC. The game is featured in tomb paintings from the earliest dynasties.

It appears that Senet began as a simple game popular across all social classes and later acquired a symbolic, ritual function. Senet boards were often placed in the grave alongside other useful objects for the journey to the afterlife and the game is referred to in Chapter XVII of the Book of the Dead. The game was a favorite one of Tutankhamen, with four game sets found in his tomb. In the tomb of Nefertari, the Great Royal Wife of Ramses the Second is shown sitting at a table enjoying a game of Senet.

The actual rules of the game of Senet are unknown, as no instructions document have yet been found. This newly published version of Senet picks up from generally accepted rules with a few additions to make this game a challenging combination of strategy and luck.

Play it online at All About Egypt.