History of Bocce

Tracing the bloodlines of an ancient game

Throughout the long history of bocce, it has been known as a game that stimulates the mind and the body. The history of bocce stretches back at least 3000 years in Europe and the game is just now becoming popular in the United States.

Bocci? Boccie?

The earliest known record of a game similar to bocce (also spelled bocci or boccie) was an Egyptian tomb painting of two boys throwing stones that dated back to 5200 B.C. We can trace the next known instances in the history of bocce to Greece during the sixth century B.C. The game was then adopted by early Romans, who initially used coconuts brought from Africa before they began carving bocce balls out of hard olive wood.

Rapid spread

Roman soldiers made an appearance in the history of bocce when they played the game between battles during Rome's Punic Wars against Carthage, which started in 264 B.C. These soldiers probably introduced the game to the rest of the Roman Empire. At this point, Bocce spread rapidly throughout Europe and became a game enjoyed by both peasants and nobility alike.

Bocce banned

The history of bocce has seen the game experience many ups and downs. In 1319 Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV banned bocce because he thought the game interfered with more important military training. Soon after that, however, doctors from the University of Montpellier in France claimed that bocce was excellent therapy for rheumatism.

It is difficult to say when and where it was actually legal to play bocce, but the game continued to be a beloved pastime to the Italians. Italian immigrants are said to be the main importers of bocce into the U.S., although the English were also avid players of some form of the game.

Swingin' 70s

Bocce first became popular in the United States in California in the 1970s and 1980s, and ever since has been well-known throughout the rest of the country. Today, more than 25 million Americans have played some form of bocce. The game is now a part of the World Corporate Games, an event in the Special Olympics, and is being proposed to be included in the Olympics.

Throughout the history of bocce, innumerable variations of the game have been played in streets and alleys, on beaches, and in front lawns. The history of bocce is filled with attempts to create a more formal set of rules, but the adaptability of the game may be part of its attraction. Enjoyed by the young and old, novice and expert, bocce is a sport of intellect, surprise, and friendship, and, if the history of bocce tells us anything, will not easily be lost to the ages.

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