Board games and social space at Aphrodisias: the view from the theatre

Penn, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4472-9031 (2026) Board games and social space at Aphrodisias: the view from the theatre. Turkish Journal of Archaeology and Ethnography, 91. pp. 11-40. ISSN 2791-8394

Abstract/Summary

Gameboards carved into stone surfaces are common in Roman, Late Antique, and Medieval cities, yet their archaeological study is still in its early development. While early research focused on reconstructing game rules, recent scholarship has explored the social significance of gaming. However, the lack of systematic recording hampers our understanding of these everyday activities. This article presents initial findings from a new project analysing the numerous gameboards and related markings at Aphrodisias. Focusing on the city’s Theatre, it explores how gameboards in the cavea and the stage suggest that the Theatre was frequently used for recreation outside of times when mass spectacles were taking place. Rather than competing with theatrical entertainment, gaming complemented the Theatre’s role as a social hub.