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Backgammon Metaphors

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Backgammon Metaphors
Many people think that backgammon is the world’s oldest board game, but once again the Egyptians go back even further with their game of Senet. As often happens with ancient Egypt, its exact use is tantalizingly unknown. Was it simply a game or did it have deeper meaning? Why are Senet boards found among other funerary objects? Though enjoyed by almost everyone, why have no written rules ever been found? The exact role of Senet will most likely remain unknown, but most experts agree that the game was laden with metaphors of the journey to and existence in the afterlife.

Senet table Like backgammon, contestants aimed at getting their seven pieces off the board completely. Players threw sticks or bones — precursors to dice — to determine the

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