Ludus Perusinus

Perugia1416

About this game

Video Game of the Sassaiola
Ludus perusinus
created by
APS Perugia1416
with the contribution of the Ministry of Culture

“Perugia 1416” is the Historical Reenactment event that takes place in June in the Umbrian capital: 1416 marked the beginning of the power of Braccio Fortebracci, a lordship of only 8 years, during which Braccio gave Perugia peace and prosperity while continuing to conquer lands in much of the Peninsula. A man of arms, he was one of the greatest Captains of Fortune and cultivated the art of war ensuring that even the young people of his city grew in courage and respect for the rules. To this end, he re-established the use of the Sassaiola - Ludus perusinus or Litomachia -, a “game” with ancient roots and well-defined rules. Probably of Roman origins, it appears in the first statutes as early as 1237. Braccio brings it back into fashion as a "hard training ground for weapons", training for war for the municipal militias,
made up of citizens who, in battle, fight under the banners of their own District.
This game, supported by archive research and texts by historians, intends to re-propose the Sassaiola in an innovative digital mode in order to recover an identity game of the city of Perugia and its history closely linked to the historical period of Perugia 1416.
An alternative mode to a real Battle of the Stones, and an invitation to visit the beauty of Perugia. A past and a present therefore that meet in the virtual game highlighting the need and importance of the rules and the identity of the Districts with the communities that constitute them.
And it was precisely the 5 Districts that fought the Stone Throwing, facing each other, gathered in two sides: the UPPER PART (Porta S. Angelo, Porta Sole and Porta S. Susanna) and the BELOW PART (Porta S. Pietro and Porta Eburnea).
The “game” gave vent to the rivalry of the city gates, but respecting the rules: an armed clash with stones, not with iron weapons, which were prohibited. The players carried shields and armor in iron, leather and padding to protect their heads and legs, but only on the front because it was unthinkable to turn your back on the enemy.
Once the battle was over, the wounded were collected, then they returned to being friends as before. Even if bloody, the game served to forge honor and strength and sustain cohesion in case of need.
The Sassaiola was held on Sundays from March 1st - the feast of Sant’Ercolano, one of the city’s patron saints - to mid-June, and about 2,000 citizens took part. It became so popular that an official “Compagnia del Sasso” was established with a statute and regulations.