Emperor Designs · Tabula Ars — The Game of Emperors
Tabula Ars · Emperor Designs · Italfama · Italy

The Game of Emperors
an arena for the modern strategist

Roman emperors and generals perfected their strategy not only on the battlefield, but also on the game board. We craft chess sets for people who understand that.

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The history

The Romans did not play chess.
They played something better.

The game of chess as we know it only emerged around the 6th century AD in India — centuries after the fall of Rome. But the Roman elite was obsessed with strategic board games that were the direct forerunners of chess in spirit, tactics and social status.

In the marble villas and military tents of the Roman Empire, the fates of the world were decided. But after the battles and senate debates, emperors and generals relaxed with one game that kept their minds as sharp as their swords:

Ludus Latrunculorum — the Game of Soldiers.

"More than a game, an exercise in power."
The philosophy of Ludus Latrunculorum · Rome, 1st century AD

This was not a game for common people. It was the game of the elite: the officers, senators, intellectuals and emperors themselves. It was regarded as military training for the mind — a way to practise tactical skills. A game of Latrunculi was a duel of intellect, not a matter of chance. No dice. Pure strategy.

The game boards of the wealthy — the Tabulae Lusoriae — were masterpieces of craftsmanship: precious wood, marble, inlaid with silver. The game pieces crafted from ivory, gemstones or beautifully coloured glass. Archaeologists found boards engraved in the floors of Pompeii, in the steps of British forts — wherever Roman soldiers were stationed, they played.

Ludus Latrunculorum

The rules of the emperors

The exact rules have not survived in full — but historians have produced a detailed reconstruction based on Roman writers such as Ovid, Varro and Martial. This is the game that emperors played.

The board
Tabula Lusoria
Square board of 8×8 to 8×12 squares. Larger boards for more complex strategy — an evening in the villa. Smaller boards for fast, aggressive games in the military camp.
The pieces
Latrunculi
Ivory, gemstones or glass. Two colours. All ordinary pieces equal — except one. Each player has one special piece: the Dux.
The movement
Orthogonal
Pieces move horizontally and vertically, just like a rook in chess. Unlimited number of empty squares in a straight line. No diagonal movement.
The capture
Custodial Capture
Pieces are not captured by landing on them. An enemy piece is captured by surrounding it between two of your own pieces — the famous 'sandwich'. Pure tactics.
The figures of the Empire

From Latrunculus to Dux

In Tabula Ars, the chess pieces are inspired by the figures of the Roman Empire. Each piece carries its own history — its own rank, its own story within the great game of power and strategy.

Imperator
The Emperor — King
The head of the Empire. Just as the Dux in Ludus Latrunculorum was the crucial piece around which everything revolved, the Imperator is the core of your strategy. Protect him — the Empire stands or falls with him.
Regina
The Empress — Queen
The most powerful figure on the board. In Rome, the empress was often the strategic force behind the throne — more influential than her title suggested.
Aquila
The Eagle — Rook
The Aquila — the eagle — was the sacred symbol of the Roman legions. The standard that every legion carried into battle. Strong, straight and relentless — just like the rook on the chess board.
Eques
The Rider — Knight
The Roman cavalry — the Equites — were the elite of the army. Fast, agile and unpredictable. Exactly the qualities that make the knight on the chess board so valuable.
Centurio
The Centurion — Bishop
The backbone of the Roman army. The centurion led his men diagonally across the battlefield, where others dared not go.
Legionarius
The Legionary — Pawn
The foundations of the Empire. Tens of thousands of legionaries marched across three continents and built the world we still inhabit. On the chess board, the pawns are the front line — never underestimate them.
Tabula Ars — luxury chess set with metal chess pieces by Italfama
Tabula Ars · Italfama · Italy

Luxury chess set & chess pieces

Every Tabula Ars chess set is handcrafted by Italfama — one of the most respected makers of luxury chess sets in the world, based in Italy. The chess pieces are made of bronze and silver-plated metal, each finished by hand. An object for generations.

  • Handcrafted in Italy by Italfama
  • Chess pieces of bronze and silver-plated metal
  • High-quality inlaid chess board
  • Inspired by the Roman Tabula Lusoria
  • Multiple sizes and finishes
  • An object that lasts for generations
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Frequently asked questions

Everything about Tabula Ars & the Game of Emperors

Did the Romans play chess?+
No — the game of chess as we know it only emerged around the 6th century AD in India. But the Romans were obsessed with strategic board games. Their favourite game was Ludus Latrunculorum — pure strategy, no dice — the direct spiritual forerunner of chess.
What is Ludus Latrunculorum?+
Ludus Latrunculorum ('game of mercenaries') was the favourite strategy game of the Roman elite — emperors, senators and generals. Played on a square board of 8×8 or larger, with pieces of ivory or glass. Pieces were captured by surrounding them between two enemy pieces (custodial capture). Pure intellect and tactics.
What was the Tabula Lusoria?+
The Tabula Lusoria (gaming board) was the Roman name for a game board. Archaeologists found Tabula Lusoria boards engraved in floors and steps in Pompeii and British forts — so that soldiers could play anywhere, at any time. The wealthy had their boards made from marble, precious wood and silver.
What was the Dux?+
The Dux (Latin for 'Leader', also known as the Aquila/Eagle) was the special piece in Ludus Latrunculorum — comparable to the king in chess. Some historians believe it could jump over other pieces. It was the crucial piece around which the entire strategy revolved.
Why did Roman boards come in different sizes?+
There was no official standardisation. A smaller board (8×8) gave a faster, more aggressive game — ideal for a military camp. A larger board (8×12) required more long-term strategy — perfect for a long evening in a villa. The board matched the owner, his status and his taste.
Where are the Tabula Ars chess sets made?+
All Tabula Ars chess sets are handcrafted in Italy by Italfama — one of the most respected makers of luxury chess sets in the world. The chess pieces are of bronze and silver-plated metal, each finished by hand.
What does the name 'Tabula Ars' mean?+
'Tabula' is Latin for board or table — the Roman name for the game board was Tabula Lusoria. 'Ars' is Latin for art and craftsmanship. Tabula Ars means: the art of the board — strategy and craftsmanship united in one object.
“This is not a chess board. This is an arena for the modern strategist — crafted with materials and workmanship worthy of a Roman emperor.”
Tabula Ars · Emperor Designs · Holland
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