---
title: Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6938/rules-for-playing-the-royal-game-of-ur/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6938.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6938.jpg)

## Image Caption

There are [Akkadian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/akkadian/) [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) inscriptions as well as explanatory diagram and rules for playing the so-called the game of 20-squares (the Royal Game of [Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/ur/)).This is the front aspect of the clay tablet which shows how the central squares were also used for fortune-telling. The colophon of Itti-[Marduk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marduk/)-balatu (a Babylonian astronomer) appears. Reign of Seleucus IV Philopator, circa 177 BCE. From [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2017, August 25). Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6938/rules-for-playing-the-royal-game-of-ur/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 25, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6938/rules-for-playing-the-royal-game-of-ur/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Rules for playing the Royal Game of Ur." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Aug 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6938/rules-for-playing-the-royal-game-of-ur/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 25 August 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.