Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

Boris Mohar fired this volley in
:



Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris


It's not out of the realm of possibility that it was strictly decorative.

The Romans were well-versed in geometry, and may have simply delighted in
the fact that 12 pentagons could be assembled into a roughly spherical
shape.

LLoyd

On Jun 7, 12:59*pm, Boris Mohar wrote:
Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

Perhaps there were 12 sizes of roman coins and the holes were for
sizing the coins.

Dave

On Jun 7, 12:59*pm, Boris Mohar wrote:
Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

Much of Hero of Alexandria's book shows elaborate toys meant to
extract money from the rich, an ancient Sharper Image catalog.

One is a trick cup that turns water into wine.

jsw

"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message
...
On Jun 7, 12:59 pm, Boris Mohar wrote:
Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

Much of Hero of Alexandria's book shows elaborate toys meant to
extract money from the rich, an ancient Sharper Image catalog.

One is a trick cup that turns water into wine.

jsw

I think that Sutter Home picked up on that one. But they can't quite get it
to work.

--
Ed Huntress

On Jun 7, 12:59*pm, Boris Mohar wrote:
Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

I would suggest: the Roman equivalent of a "Turner's Cube" :-)

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=%22turner's+cube%22

In slightly more modern times, plumbing apprentices once demonstrated
making a 6-way junction by (mostly) hammer, starting from sheet lead.
I've seen the result and they are very impressive. One even went as
far as to put flanges with bolt holes on.

On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:59:36 -0400, Boris Mohar
wrote:



Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron


First thing to cross my mind is a studded cage for making a ball with
rope or leather/hide. Except the stone ones...? Tent pole
intersections?


SW

On Jun 7, 10:59*am, Boris Mohar wrote:
Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
--
Boris

Doorstop and floor ballast.

Probably the metal ones were lost-wax cast. Would be fun trying to
figure out a way to sand cast it.

Stan

Boris Mohar wrote:

Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron

It's a Roman Magic 8-ball. ;-)

All the holes being different sizes suggests some significance
there, albeit I can't imagine what.

Cheers!
Rich

"Rich Grise" wrote in message
...
Boris Mohar wrote:

Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron

It's a Roman Magic 8-ball. ;-)

All the holes being different sizes suggests some significance
there, albeit I can't imagine what.

A penis measuring device?
--
EA



Cheers!
Rich

On Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:59:36 -0400, Boris Mohar
wrote:



Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron

Looks like one of the original pecker checkers.
(darn, I can't find a pic of the joke box I have)
http://goo.gl/enM3C somewhat close


And don't forget to wear your flying pasties before going to the
airport, girls. http://goo.gl/jNhZB

--
Experience is a good teacher, but she send in terrific bills.
-- Minna Thomas Antrim

Boris Mohar on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:59:36
-0400 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:


Can anyone figure out what was it used for?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron

Considering that the Romans used a duodecimal (base 12) system of
fractions for measurements and calculations ... difficult to say.


pyotr
--
pyotr filipivich
We will drink no whiskey before its nine.
It's eight fifty eight. Close enough!