Senet

Senet (after the ancient Egyptian verb for " pass " or " pass through " ) is an ancient Egyptian board games and board game that enjoyed great popularity especially among the upper classes and is attested since at least 3,000 BC. It was up to the post-Christian period around 300 AD. played and was the current board games backgammon and human- parchesi not similar.

Description

A typical Senet game set consisted of a game board, variously styled characters and so-called Zählknochen. The game board was rectangular, usually had the dimensions 35 x 10 cm or 55 x 20 cm and was decorated on its upper surface with exactly thirty pitches, ten each in a row. For this reason, Senet was also called " the 30 -field game". The Zählknochen were plate-like and had on each side a different number of Zählstrichen. To figure set included three large, cone- shaped figures and four slightly smaller, coil-shaped game pieces. The entire set could be made of wood, ceramic, ivory or faience.

Regulate

Senet was played by two players. The journey began in a field with the words "birth". The last five playing fields contained the miniature representations of deities and words: Horus; Ra Osiris; Month ( or Thoth ) training Maat; SEMATAUI and finally per- nefer ( the "House of the Good "). Throughout the game series, there were four fields that brought happiness or unhappiness. These were scattered more or less uneven. There was, for example, the " flood " field, which compelled the player to take his character from the game. The playing field " frog / toad ", however, brought good luck - the player was allowed to throw his next points count double. Each player got seven figures ( Engl. " dancers " ) were designated as Ibau. Depending on how many tally marks after a toss of Zählknochen showed up, the player was allowed to move forward with a figure of his choice. The aim of the game was to come first with all the remaining figures in one of the last houses.

Mythological significance

Senet was not only for entertainment but also had a religious significance. The board game text contains many references to the path of the sun and the Dean -star. In particular, the constellation Orion is mentioned, the embodied Osiris. A connection can also be seen in the mentions of Nutbuches whose content is consistent with the goal of the game. It can be produced to the Chatiu - demons who reside in the Balsamierungswerkstatt to achieve the solution of the problem a clear reference. Players take on the mythological role as arbiters of their fate.

Known representations and finds

Numerous findings, descriptions and illustrations suggest that Senet apparently existed since the early dynastic eras. Game characters that were clearly Senet games sets, were found in tombs of the 1st dynasty. On a wall painting in the Mastaba of Hesire ( 3rd Dynasty, Old Kingdom) at Saqqara, the oldest, full figure of a Senet game is to see. Further, well-known representations can be found in the mastabas of the Old Kingdom, often in scenes of celebrations and banquets. In the Mastaba of Idu ( 6th Dynasty ) at Saqqara such a banquet is seen, in which - in addition to several Senet board games, including " Mehen " played.

In 2006, a 3500 years old Senet game was discovered by the Spanish Egyptologists José Manuel Galan. It comes from the tombs of the high Egyptian official Djehuti and Heri from the 18th Dynasty. The game set - pieces of wood and ivory are considered one of the most important discoveries of the New Kingdom. Some Senet games sets have been found in the grave of Tutankhamun, making the game in the last century gained recognition and popularity again.

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