These games come from a wide range of cultures. Some are still played today and are sometimes quite popular. Others have long been forgotten despite being played for thousands of years.

Many include both strategy skills and chance, such as Senet and the Royal Game of Ur. Others are battle games like Chess and Hnefatafl, based entirely on strategy.

Games based on chance were in many cases used for gambling, often by people out to seek a fortune. Winning was thought to be due to divine intervention, and many players believed the Gods were on their side!