The first winners of lottery in history. Who invented the lottery and keno?

The history of the lottery leads to the ancient origins of human civilization. According to scientists, one of the first mentions of the specific manifestation of a lottery are ancient Greek myths, which says that soldiers drew from the Golden helmet pebbles, one of which gave the right to a duel with Zeus, what implied the chance to stay alive or to die with honour.

Despite the discrepancies in chronological events of antiquity, one of the following historical chronicles, interpreting the origin of the forerunner of the lottery, and which is referred to by historians, is the Bible — The Book of Numbers (chapter 26), where it is recorded that God enjoined Moses to count the “children of Israel” and to divide by lot between them land on the West Bank (as a reward for years of trials and hardships while wandering through the deserts).

Historians interpret these facts in such a way, that after people performed a certain action — they were given a reward, that can be interpreted as the win, associated with obtaining a reward for winning the lottery.

There is the emergence of the first forms of lottery in ancient Rome and China almost at the same time. In 100 BC, during the reign of the China’s Han Dynasty, was organized the lottery which resembles a game of Keno. The proceeds from its holding, were used for the defense of the country, and especially to finance the construction of the Great Wall of China.

Historical chronicle says that in the late Roman Republic were known various forms of lottery, associated with the name of Julius Caesar. During his reign the first public lottery was organized to raise funds for the municipal needs of Rome: roads, bridges and buildings maintenance. In addition, during the great feasts free lottery were held for poor people. Plebeians handed “paper of happiness”, and a few lucky ones received monetary prizes.

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