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My 8-second take: I imagine candles weren't all that standardized, and obviously a candelabra can only hold one size. If this was used to hold candles it has th

My 8-second take: I imagine candles weren't all that standardized, and obviously a candelabra can only hold one size. If this was used to hold candles it has the advantage of being small, versatile (12 diameters), but the pins will ensure each face is flat with respect to the ground below it (even on rocks etc, you can rotate to find a stable surface). The candle holder theory accounts for the different sizes, because you don't need it to match identically just close enough for whatever candles you usually use/are around your location. Thoughts from any archeologists? Edit: I'm late to the party, this article lists the candle theory but dismisses it without presenting any evidence why - https://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-artifacts/the-roman-dodecahedrons/ https://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-artifacts/the-r...

yeetaccount4 5y ago
Why wouldn’t they just stick it on a short nail with a wide flat base? It would be a lot more economical. Also, there’s no mention of wax on them, which can take a long time to break down. Edit: oop.
- throwawayninja 5y ago
  Linked article mentions wax, as does https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron : Speculative uses include as a candlestick holder (wax was found inside two examples); dice; survey instruments for estimating distances to (or sizes of) distant objects;[5] devices for determining the optimal sowing date for winter grain;[6] gauges to calibrate water pipes, legionary standard bases,[7] or a coin measuring device for counterfeit detection. Several dodecahedra were found in coin hoards, providing evidence that their owners either considered them valuable objects, or believed their only use was connected with coins. I'd imagine merchants counting money would want a non-destructive way to hold candles. Tons of great theories though.
  - yeetaccount4 5y ago
    Whoops, read it last night, must have missed the wax. I still have a hard time imagining it’s a candle holder though. You and all your soldiers have got to haul all this heavy shit across a continent, and somebody wants to bring a candle stick holder? Even if you had slaves, they could be hauling something more useful than that.

yeetaccount4 5y ago

Why wouldn’t they just stick it on a short nail with a wide flat base? It would be a lot more economical. Also, there’s no mention of wax on them, which can take a long time to break down. Edit: oop.

throwawayninja 5y ago
Linked article mentions wax, as does https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron : Speculative uses include as a candlestick holder (wax was found inside two examples); dice; survey instruments for estimating distances to (or sizes of) distant objects;[5] devices for determining the optimal sowing date for winter grain;[6] gauges to calibrate water pipes, legionary standard bases,[7] or a coin measuring device for counterfeit detection. Several dodecahedra were found in coin hoards, providing evidence that their owners either considered them valuable objects, or believed their only use was connected with coins. I'd imagine merchants counting money would want a non-destructive way to hold candles. Tons of great theories though.
- yeetaccount4 5y ago
  Whoops, read it last night, must have missed the wax. I still have a hard time imagining it’s a candle holder though. You and all your soldiers have got to haul all this heavy shit across a continent, and somebody wants to bring a candle stick holder? Even if you had slaves, they could be hauling something more useful than that.