Just because it's not a standard size does not mean it's not a measuring device. Angles, Pythagorean helper tool, construction of archways... We have so many modern tools that come in lots of sizes.
Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
131–140 of 403 posts
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#132I like the theory that it's an examination piece to qualify as a master metalworker. Casting a flawless dodecahedron could have been a way to demonstrate your skill. The shape is somewhat arbitrary: anything that's both difficult to cast and easy to examine for quality would work, but once people started making dodecahedrons that's what people expected and it became a kind of standard.
I’m not sure why there’s always so much focus on purpose. People build objects of geometric fascination as art objects all the time. I agree with you that there need not be any religious significance here.
Agree, why does it always have to be a religious object if an object doesn't have a clear and distinct purpose attached to it.
I guess when future archeologist dig up our junk they'd believe we were an extremely religious society, with many superstitions and strange beliefs. /s
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#133Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#134I like the theory that it's an examination piece to qualify as a master metalworker. Casting a flawless dodecahedron could have been a way to demonstrate your skill. The shape is somewhat arbitrary: anything that's both difficult to cast and easy to examine for quality would work, but once people started making dodecahedrons that's what people expected and it became a kind of standard.
So basically its just leetcode interview testing but for metal workers :)
More like a take home project.
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#135A theory I saw recently suggested that they may have been used to hold candles, as night lights (could still have had some religious or ritual component too). The holes all being different diameters would then relate to different sized candles being needed to last all night, for longer and shorter nights at different times of the year. The twelve faces presumably corresponding to 12 months on the Julian calendar, whi…
> The holes all being different diameters would then relate to different sized candles being needed to last all night, for longer and shorter nights at different times of the year. I don't know. There are stranger things of course, but why would you care about that? If you need light you just burn the candle until you no longer need the light. If it gets too short you get a new candle. If you no longer need light (fo…
Candles have been used as timers (stick a nail in a correctly sized candle and it’ll fall at the right time). But I heard of that in regards to the colonial era US, no idea how far back it goes.
Edit:
> The candle clock is an ancient technology. The first recorded reference was in 520 CE in a Chinese poem by You Jiangu. He described six uniform candles of equal weight and thickness—each 12 inches tall.
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#136Earlier quoted context omitted.
is CE the same as AD?
Yes. It's the plain English version of "AD", which is Latin. English was good enough for Jesus in the Bible to speak, so it should be good enough for the rest of us instead of this high-falutin' shibboleth language they only teach at the likes of Oxford and Cambridge.
The plain English is “in the year of our Lord”, if anyone else is confused with the dripping sarcasm.
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#137Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#138Why wouldn't it just be a 12 sided die for gambling?
I quite like this and could imagine the expense of the object was because it signified an officially taxed and legal gambling operation or something. However, I think we might we would see some wear if they they were die. Might see some blobs dented or knocked off if they were regularly being rolled in taverns and such.
It could be a symbol of gambling status, such that by having one your money is acceptable thus allowing entry to certain gambling facilities all over the place.
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#139A theory I saw recently suggested that they may have been used to hold candles, as night lights (could still have had some religious or ritual component too). The holes all being different diameters would then relate to different sized candles being needed to last all night, for longer and shorter nights at different times of the year. The twelve faces presumably corresponding to 12 months on the Julian calendar, whi…
This internet ... I had only to wonder if someone had created a 3D model of one, search, and I hath found (first hit): https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/roman-dodecahedron-235a956d1...
Thanks for sharing.
It shows that the holes had various sizes and it could also possible be that they had lids to vary the hole sizes.
Edit: sorry didn't read original comment. But various hole sizes could also make it a toy where a child had to figure out which fits to the object inside... Hm. Maybe not but hey!
Re: Another Roman dodecahedron has been unearthed in England
#140Earlier quoted context omitted.
CE means “common era” which refers to the same time period that AD does, which stands for Anno Domini and means “the year of our lord,” which is rooted in the Christian faith. You will also see “BCE” and it means Before Common Era, which replaces BC, which means “Before Christ”. The newer terms are more inclusive.
We never canceled other religious names in our calendar, including the months named after Roman gods or the days of the week named after Nordic / Celtic gods.
The problem becomes more evident if you write the meaning out in full: "anno domini nostri Christi", or the year of our lord Christ. Recognizing Jesus Christ as lord obviously presents some theological issues to non-christians. Saying Wednesday doesn't have the same issue of recognizing Odin's divinity.