Bocce is based on one of the oldest diversions known to man—throwing something at a target. In the case of bocce, a small ball called a pallino is thrown onto the court. Players then bowl larger balls toward the pallino to see who can get the closet. A painting of two boys playing a similar type of game was found in an Egyptian tomb and dated to 5200 B.C.
From Egypt the game apparently made its way to Greece and then to Rome. Roman soldiers played a game like bocce during the Punic Wars in the Third Century B.C. In this version of the sport, stones were used instead of balls. Later, the Romans played the game with coconuts they brought back from Africa. Emperor Augustus (31 B.C.-14 A.D.) played the game and became the first in a long line of notable public figures who enjoyed bocce or a closely related type of sport.
Quite a Distraction
Bocce shared a fate common to many games
of the Middle Ages—it was banned by
both kings and the church. In 1319, Roman
Emperor Charles IV outlawed the game because
it took people’s attention away from
military matters. King Carlos of Spain would
issue a similar ban. Perhaps they were right.
Legend says that English Admiral Sir Frances
Drake was playing Bocce when he was told
that an attack by the Spanish armada was
imminent. His response: “First, we
finish the game, then we have time for invincible
armada.”
Just a few years before Sir Frances supposedly spoke those words, the Republic of Venice had also outlawed bocce in 1576. Those caught playing the game were fined and in some cases sent to prison. The Catholic Church also condemned bocce because it led to gambling.Any game that people find competitive and enjoyable will overcome even official attempts to stop play. Bocce was no exception. It found a following in the streets, alleyways, parks and town squares of Europe, particularly in Italy and France.
