Game Piece with Hercules Slaying the Three-Headed Geryon, ca. 1150

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Game Piece with Hercules Slaying the Three-Headed Geryon, ca. 1150, Made in Cologne, Germany, German, Ivory, Overall: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm), Ivories-Walrus, This carved disk was originally part of a set of thirty pieces made for the board game known as 'tables,' a precursor of backgammon. Classical and biblical themes are seen frequently on surviving tableman, including episodes from the stories of Hercules and Samson, suggesting that these ancient heroes often represented opposing sides in the game

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Size: 3792px × 3792px
Photo credit: © Artokoloro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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