Terni Lapilli is considered to be identical
to modern Tic-Tac-Toe. However, although Terni Lapilli boards
are found throughout the Empire, scratched on walls, floors,
and roofs, no X's and O's accompany the markings. Obviously playing
pieces were being used for this game and the would surely be
the same ones used for both Latrunculi and Tabula. Bolesden says
that three pieces were used in this game but if that is true,
this is not Tic-Tac-Toe.
Judging from the number of Terni Lapilli
boards found around Rome it would seem this game was more popular
than Tic-Tac-Toe, and therefore we must conclude that it was
not, in fact, Tic-Tac-Toe since this is not really a game and
could not sustain such interest.
For the time being then, this game remains
an enigma, although the possibilities are certainly very finite.
