Exploring Antiquity Through Ancient Games

Families and games fans are invited to play like the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans at a free Ancient Games Day in Reading on Saturday 7 November.

Organised by Dr Tim Penn, a Classics lecturer at the University of Reading, and the independent shop Eclectic Games, drop in sessions will run from 10am to 5pm.

Visitors can drop in to try versions of games played thousands of years ago, including the Egyptian game Mehen and the Roman game Ludus Latrunculorum. Because only fragments of the original boards and few – if any – rules survive, players will be encouraged to fill the gaps with rules of their own.

A second room will feature modern board games set in the ancient world, such as Concordia and Imhotep, with historians on hand to explain what the games get right and wrong.

At 11am and 2:30pm, Jess Methingham from Dissent Campaigns & Games will run board game design workshops for young gamers aged 8-15 and their responsible adults. 

From 1pm, game designer Dr James Wallis will lead four-hour a hands-on workshop for adults, inviting people to design their own versions of ancient games. No experience is needed.

The drop-in activities are open to all ages, with under-16s accompanied by an adult. The workshop is for ages 18+. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

Join Dr Penn and the games squad at Eclectic Games, 21 Duke Street, Reading, RG1 4SA.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5-14 November 2026. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org