Fun and games

Just like us, the Romans played sport and ball games for fun and to keep fit. We play football, netball, tennis, hockey and many more games. What ball games would Roman children have played?

Trigon

Trigon was a throwing and catching game played by three people standing about 10 metres away from each other in a triangle. The object of the game was to catch the ball as it was thrown at you by your opponents. You would get extra points for catching the ball with your left hand, and also for batting a ball back to your opponent with your hand instead of catching it. If you dropped the ball, your opponent would get points. You could throw the ball with either hand, and at either of your opponents, making it hard for them to predict what to do. It's an easy game to play - why not make up your own points system and have a go?

Harpastum

Harpastum was a game similar to rugby or American football. It was a team game and was played on a rectangular field about the size of a football pitch. The field was divided into two halves, and the object of the game was for each team to try and keep the ball in their half of the field for as long as possible. This would involve speed, agility, stamina and strength. The ball the Romans used was different to a rugby ball, probably smaller and harder like a softball.

Expulsim Ludere

This was a game very similar to squash, but without the racquets. It would have been played on a court similar to a squash court, but the ball would have been larger, and the players would throw it against the wall and then try to catch it. Like squash, it would probably have been played up to 21 points. A similar game called one-walled handball is still played in some countries.