Call for papers : Workshop "Of Games and Words"

[Ilaria Truzzi]

On behalf of Thomas Daniaux.

Dear colleagues,

We are very delighted to invite you to the new online Workshop "Of Games and Words".

Over the past thirty years, the proliferation of research devoted to ancient ludic cultures has considerably enriched our understanding of a range of themes that had hitherto remained poorly documented. Through numerous studies focusing on literary, iconographic, epigraphic, and material sources related to games, it is now possible to shed new light on the nature of ludic activities, the identities of their participants, as well as the prominent role these practices occupied within ancient social interactions.

The Workshop

The workshop Of Games and Words proposes to explore the ludic worlds of the ancient Mediterranean basin through an innovative perspective grounded in the study of both informal (graffiti) and official inscriptions. The workshop will take place online through monthly sessions bringing together two or three speakers, from September to December 2026.

Within the framework of this event, we are pleased to invite you to submit a paper proposal focusing either on the study of ludic activities (excluding theatrical games and agonistic practices) or on the various ways of “playing” with words can be interrogated, through the analysis of inscriptions. Such inscriptions may appear on gaming equipment or on any other type of archaeological material, including instrumentum domesticum, urban infrastructures, wall paintings and pottery.

Papers format

• 30 min presentation

• 15 min for questions and discussion

Provisional Schedule

• Wednesday, September 16

• Wednesday, October 14

• Wednesday, November 18

• Wednesday, December 16

Proposals for papers should be submitted by 15 July, 2026 to the organizers. Those proposals should include the paper title, an abstract of 300 words max. and the author(s) information (full name(s), current affiliation(s), and a 150 words max. biography per author, as well as contact details). Authors whose proposals are accepted will be notified from July 31, 2026 onwards.

Publication

The publication of a proceedings volume devoted to this theme is planned following the workshop. The abstracts submitted by each participant will therefore be compiled and forwarded to the publisher.

The editorial guidelines required for the preparation of the articles will be communicated to participants at the conclusion of the final workshop session.

Contact

Organizers’ addresses: t.da...@reading.ac.uk and michel...@unil.ch. 

We would be very glad to read your proposals if you are interested in. Feel free to spread this call for paper around (PDF attached in English and French)

Best wishes,

Dr. Thomas Daniaux (University of Reading) & Prof. Em. Michel E. Fuchs (Université de Lausanne)

Dr. Thomas Daniaux

University of Reading - SNSF Mobility Postdoctoral Researcher

School of Humanities, Department of Classics

Whiteknights Campus, Edith Morley Building, Office G27A