For a long time, it was thought that the eighteenth book of Isidore of Seville's Etymologiae contains a reference to latrunculi, and this was used to argue that the pieces on either side were of different powers and classes like the pieces in chess. R. G. Austin has argued, however, that the passage from Isidore on which this belief was based refers to an early form of Tabula. The Stanway game, excavated near Colchester, has been identified by scholars such as David Parlett as possibly being an example of latrunculi.Parlett, D. The Oxford History of Board Games, pp. 234-238 If this is true then it is possible there was a second piece other than the soldiers used in the game, and this has been interpreted by some reconstructions as a piece representing a "Dux" (leader) or "Aquila" (eagle). However, Ulrich Schädler suggests the game may instead be an example of a tafl game, such as fidhcheall or gwyddbwyll , since there is no evidence for an extra piece other than the latrones or pessoi in any of the ancient Greek and Roman games.Schädler, The doctor's game – new light on the history of ancient board games
For a long time, it was thought that the eighteenth book of Isidore of Seville's Etymologiae contains a reference to latrunculi, and this was used to argue that the pieces on either side were of different powers and classes like the pieces in chess. R. G. Austin has argued, however, that the passage from Isidore on which this belief was based refers to an early form of Tabula. <!-- DE CALCULORUM MOTU. Calculi partim ordine moventur, partim vage: ideo alios ordinarios, alios vagos appellant; at vero qui moveri omnino non possunt, incitos dicunt. Unde et egentes homines inciti vocantur, quibus spes ultra procedendi nulla restat. ON THE MOVEMENT OF STONES. Some stones move in rows, some freely; thus, some are called ordinary, others free; and truly those that cannot be moved at all are said to be inciti. From which even actin , since there is no evidence for an extra piece other than the latrones or pessoi in any of the ancient Greek and Roman games.Schädler, The doctor's game – new light on the history of ancient board games
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The Stanway game, excavated near Colchester, has been identified by scholars such as David Parlett as possibly being an example of latrunculi.Parlett, D. The Oxford History of Board Games, pp. 234-238 If this is true then it is possible there was a second piece other than the soldiers used in the game, and this has been interpreted by some reconstructions as a piece representing a "Dux" (leader) or "Aquila" (eagle). However, Ulrich Schädler suggests the game may instead be an example of a tafl game, such as fidhcheall or gwyddbwyll
<!-- DE CALCULORUM MOTU. Calculi partim ordine moventur, partim vage: ideo alios ordinarios, alios vagos appellant; at vero qui moveri omnino non possunt, incitos dicunt. Unde et egentes homines inciti vocantur, quibus spes ultra procedendi nulla restat. ON THE MOVEMENT OF STONES. Some stones move in rows, some freely; thus, some are called ordinary, others free; and truly those that cannot be moved at all are said to be inciti. From which even actin