Star players: the Lewis chessmen. Courtesy Trustees of the British Museum.

Segedunum Roman Fort is offering the chance to play your way Across the Board - Around the World in 18 Games at its new exhibition. The collection of board games from distant times, places and cultures will be on show from January 22 to June 16.

From the Roman game Duodecim Scripta, found scratched into amphitheatre seats, to the famous 12th century Lewis chessmen, the exhibition promises to open eyes to the meanings and origins behind pastimes.

Geoff Woodward, curator of Segendunum Roman Fort, said: “Across the Board features board games that are familiar to everyone; from ancient games such as the Royal Game of Ur to modern games such as Monopoly and Ludo.”

“This will be the first time these games have been on show in the North East and visitors will be invited to rise to the challenge and play replicas of some of the world’s most famous games.”

Up to the challenge? Choose your moves wisely on some games from the past at Segedunum. Courtesy Trustees of the British Museum.

There’s more to the objective of the game than modern instructions tell us, in many cases. For example, Snakes and Ladders originates from ancient India, where it was used to teach morality. Good deeds would give players a leg up a ladder, while bad behaviour meant sliding down a scary snake.

Indeed, some cultures even diced with death on board games. Burial papyri from Egypt depict the dead playing Senet with the gods – their performance would decide whether they were worthy of the afterlife!

Across the Board is the result of a partnership between Tyne & Wear Museums, the North East Regional Museums Hub and The British Museum, where many of the artefacts came from. Loans have also come from collections including the Bell Collection at Durham University.