Maree
15 March 2022 13:41
1
So they’re small, hollow and usually made of bronze, twelve flat sides with a hole in the middle and knobs on the corners and they date back to 200ad and have been found mostly in France and Germany
And nobody’s got a clue what they were for, there aren’t any records
Loads of theories of course, from being used to knit socks, to candle holders, to religious objects
Roman Dodecahedrons
My son thinks either a pasta measure or one of those balls you put dog treats in and they’ve got to get them out
What about you, any ideas?
1 Like
Yes, it is obviously designed as a projectile, to be thrown at the head of an enemy, or someone you wish to turn into one.
1 Like
I expect you bash someone with it!
1 Like
Tokens of love. The more you had, the more popular you were perceived to be, so the more tokens were given.
A bit like Instagram for Romans.
3 Likes
Talk about looking at the world through rose coloured spectacles.
1 Like
a pre Lakeland automatic banana peeling device.
Well how many bronze holey ball things do you have?
1 Like
Tedc
15 March 2022 14:15
12
It’s, obviously, a Chastity Belt!
1 Like
If my theory about what they are is correct, I’m glad to say I have received none.
1 Like
I believe their use has been determined.
The Roman legionaries patrolling Hadrian’s Wall tended to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder so when they were off duty they used their dodecahedron for knitting… it was a bit like an early Chinese stress ball or macrame.
2 Likes
As each hole is different, it’s obviously from a game of chance. Large hole he lives and smallest the slave dies
2 Likes
Morticia:
I believe their use has been determined.
The Roman legionaries patrolling Hadrian’s Wall tended to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder so when they were off duty they used their dodecahedron for knitting… it was a bit like an early Chinese stress ball or macrame.
You are quite right, but their use as a stress reliever was only a secondary function, for times when there was no one around to throw them at.
1 Like
Judd
15 March 2022 15:16
17
An old-style French knitting system instead of using a cotton bobbin.
2 Likes
Maree
15 March 2022 15:19
18
Morticia:
I believe their use has been determined.
The Roman legionaries patrolling Hadrian’s Wall tended to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder so when they were off duty they used their dodecahedron for knitting… it was a bit like an early Chinese stress ball or macrame.
https://youtu.be/76AvV601yJ0
Yes, was a brill theory that went round but the experts think not.
Romans didn’t knit for one thing and the different sized holes wouldn’t produce different sized fingers because the pegs are the same distance apart
Dodecahedrons probably not knitting machines
Back to them being things to lob at people, Asterix style!
1 Like
Can’t be. It was Marco Polo that bought pasta back to Italy in the late C13th.
2 Likes
Mags
15 March 2022 17:07
20
I think it’s an upside down plague helmet ……. eek all those big pimples!
2 Likes
with pain variables in-between 
