Bone and Ball Bags: Greek Phormiskoi and Diktydia (?)

Abstract

This article argues that 5th century BC Athenian vases show that the construction and contents of two medium-sized bags are distinct: phormiskoi were stiff, tightly woven bags that held knuckle-bones (astragaloi), whereas a second type, the name of which is not preserved, but might have been diktydia, were of flexible open net-like make and held small balls. The visual contexts for both types of bags are examined and are found to reinforce the distinction. The representations of the games played with small balls and astragaloi, especially the players actions, are also discussed, few and difficult to interpret though they are. Finally, note is taken of the role of astragaloi beyond the ludic and an image introduced that might show astragalomanteia in action.

Keywords

• astragalomancy
• ball
• dyktydia
• game
• Knucklebone
• phormiskos