 metal box with five red sachets and instructions. History The Game Five Maries has its origins in ancient Greece. To consult the gods, the Greeks played the game with sheep bones (astragalos) and observed their positions when they fell. Each side of the bone had a name and a value. The answer was interpreted from the addition of these numbers. Over time, the bones were replaced by stones, then seeds, unil they came to be made with sand filled cloth bags such as shown here. Game Put the five sachets out on the table. Throw one sachet up in the air. While in the air pick up one of the remaining sachets and the catch the first one before it falls. Next throw up the two sachets. While in the air, pick up one of the remaining sachets and the catch the first two before they fall. Continue till all five have been picked up without having dropped any of the sachets. |