Each word is separated from that opposite it by a flower within a circle. Many such stones are known, always with six words of six letters, so that it seems clear that they were used as boards for a game, possibly the _duodecim scripta_ already mentioned. The pieces used were probably the so-called "contorniates," bronze discs of coin form, with designs in relief on either side within a raised rim and a circular depression. Two examples of these contorniates (in electrotype) are exhibited below the stone board (No. =633=). The pieces are of late Imperial date, of about the time of Constantine. Many have subjects closely connected with the circus, a fact which harmonizes well with the inscription on the board described. One of the two exhibited has a head of Alexander and a representation of a chariot race, the other a head of Nero and a water organ (see below, p. 216). (=630=) Cf. _Röm. Mitt._, 1896, p. 238 ff.; _Rev. Arch._, 4th Series V. (1905), p. 110 ff.; (=631=) _Röm. Mitt._, 1896, p. 227 ff.; (=632=) Cf. _Num. Chron._ (4th Series), VI., p. 232 ff.; _Notizie degli Scavi_, 1887, p. 118. On ancient toys and games generally, see Becq de Fouquières, _Les jeux des anciens_; Daremberg and Saglio, s.v. _Ludus_. [Footnote 81: Herodot., i. 94.] [Footnote 82: _Anth. Pal._ vi. 308: [Greek: Nikêsas tous paidas, epei kala grammat' egrapsen, Konnaros ogdôkont' astragalous elaben.] ] [Footnote 83: Pollux, ix. 126 (reading [Greek: ephistatai] and omitting [Greek: ê]).] [Footnote 84: Cf. _Anth. Pal._ xiv. 8: [Greek: hex, hen, pente, dyo, tria, tessara kybos elaunei.] ] [Footnote 85: Aesch., _Agam._ 32: [Greek: ta despotôn gar eu pesonta thêsomai, tris hex balousês têsde moi phryktôrias.] ] [Footnote 86: Mart., xiv. 14: Cum steterit nullus vultu tibi talus eodem, Munera me dices magna dedisse tibi. ] [Footnote 87: Prop., iv. 8, 45 f.: Me quoque per talos Venerem quaerente secundos, Semper damnosi subsiluere canes. ] [Footnote 88: _Latro_ originally meant "a mercenary soldier."] XXIV.--MARRIAGE. (Wall-Case 53.)