Among the many different types of games that were played in ancient Egypt, there is just that Mehen or snake game is one of the oldest surviving spiral multiplayer board games. Its name Mehen (meaning coiled) was a name for both the snake god and the board game, and is believed to have a profound religious meaning to the players at the time.

mehen

It was played in the very early history of Egypt and the evidence found dates it to the period from the pre-dynastic period to the end of the Old Kingdom (about 2613-2160 BC).

Some of the most reliable evidence are images of people playing the game that have been found in many Egyptian tombs, referring to the Old Kingdom.

Twelve sets of this game have been found. It is believed to have been played with ivory and lioness figures and small balls. The rules and manner of playing are not known, but apparently up to six players could play it, making it the first multiplayer game. All other games of that time were only for two players.

In the center of the board was a snake's head with dozens of rectangular playing fields along the entire length of the snake's body.

Who was the winner?

It is assumed that each player had three lion pieces and six balls, and the game began with a snake's tail that wound on the outer edge of the board. Each player moved his balls until he reached the snake's head. The winner was the player whose lion first caught all the balls of the opponents.

After the end of the Old Kingdom, the game disappeared from Egypt and was no longer played here, but became popular outside Egypt, for example in Palestine, Syria, Cyprus and Crete. In the 20s, anthropologists found a similar Arabic game played by the Sudanese Baggars, known as the "hyena game." , not just one.

Exhibit from the Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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