Hired.

  • Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    50
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    22 hours ago

    Roman Dodecahedrons - my favored theory was that they were used to make wool gloves. Indeed, when I looked into it, someone had done this. AFAIK, cool as they are, and as many of them as have been found, no one really knows what purpose they served.

    • saltesc@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      34
      ·
      edit-2
      21 hours ago

      I think it’s pretty obvious they’re for playing Tullianums et Dracones. Probably editio III since it had the most d10 use.

    • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      41
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      22 hours ago

      There is no evidence of knitting in the Roman Empire, which if it was there is weird when you consider how much art they made that shows other parts of their daily lives and how many deities they had for every aspect of life.

      The solid ones would also be completely useless for knitting gloves. And why are these typically found in hoards of money if they’re a part of domestic life? It just doesn’t fit the available evidence. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but it doesn’t work to explain all of them.

    • im_fine_sandy@nord.pub
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      17 hours ago

      Nah the knitting / weaving idea doesn’t add up.

      Basically, they can be used to weave a tube, but that isn’t really evidence that they were created with that intention.

      The bronze would be polished up around the knobs if it were used that way.

      You wouldn’t use bronze to make a weaving tool just because it’s so expensive. Maybe as a once off or special item, but not generally.

      You don’t vary the size of your knitting or weaving by using a bigger template / more loose weave. One larger finger you would use more stitches: that’s fundamental to knitting and weaving.

      At first glance it’s a nice idea but it doesn’t withstand critical thought.

    • zaphod@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      20 hours ago

      Apperently the holes are important for the knitting, but there are some dodecahedrons without holes.