Rythmomachia (or Rithmomachia) is a highly complex chess-like strategy game, requiring intellectual prowess and skill with numbers. The name is of Greek origin, meaning "battle of numbers". It was also known as the "Philosophers' Game".

History

The first written evidence of Rythmomachia dates back to around 1030, when a monk named Asilo created a game that illustrated the number theory of Boëthius' De institutione arithmetica for the students of monastery schools. The rules of the game were improved shortly thereafter by respected monk Hermannus Contractus from Reichenau and in the school of Liège. In the following centuries Rythmomachia spread quickly through schools and monasteries in southern Germany and France. It was used mainly as a teaching aid, but gradually intellectuals started to play it for pure pleasure. In the 13th century Rythmomachia came to England, where famous mathematician Thomas Bradwardine wrote a text about it. Even Roger Bacon recommended Rythmomachia to his students.

In the 18th century, Rythmomachia lost its popularity as the complexicity of mathematics developed.

Rules

Rules of Rythmomachia have changed frequently, therefore there is no single set of rules.

External links

Medieval & Renaissance Games Home Page