Selected messages in Nova-Roma group. Jun 27-29, 2003

Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12112 From: Decimus Iunius Silanus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: !!!!!!Britannia !!!!!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12113 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12114 From: Gaius Cornelius Ahenobarbus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Chariot Racing
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12115 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12116 From: lanius117@aol.com Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilias of Gens Cornelius
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12117 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12118 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Simpler Political Explanations / Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12119 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12120 From: Lucius Cornelius Sardonicus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12121 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12122 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12123 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12124 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12125 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12126 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could Hav
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12127 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12128 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12129 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12130 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12131 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12132 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12133 From: Bill Gawne Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12134 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12135 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: To Senators and Tribunes of Nova Roma / Legion Support
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12136 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12137 From: christyacb Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12138 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12139 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12140 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12141 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12142 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Catullus links
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12143 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Catullus links
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12144 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12145 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12146 From: Gaius Galerius Peregrinator Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12147 From: Lucius Rutilius Minervalis Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Ancient pictures of Roma
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12148 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12149 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12150 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12151 From: Laureatus Armoricus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Welcome To Britannia Gallici
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12152 From: TiAnO Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12153 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12154 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Merhan Karimi Nasseri
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12155 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12156 From: gaiuspopilliuslaenas Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12157 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12158 From: cassius622@aol.com Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12159 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12160 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12161 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12162 From: Gnaeus Equitius Marinus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12163 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12164 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12165 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Cassius 622 and the ML
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12166 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12167 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could Hav
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12168 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12169 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: EXTRA EXTRA BREAKING NEWS IN NOVA ROMA
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12170 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12171 From: jmath669642reng@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Earthwatch
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12172 From: Caeso Fabius Quintilianus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12173 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al I Caudius
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12174 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12175 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12176 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12177 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12178 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12179 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12180 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12181 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12182 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12183 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12184 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12185 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12186 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12187 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12188 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12189 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12190 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12191 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12192 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12193 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12194 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Limit Reached
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12195 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12196 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12197 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Paterfamilias - a language question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12198 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12199 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12200 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12201 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12202 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12203 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12204 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12205 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12206 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12207 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12208 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12209 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Boni
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12210 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12211 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12212 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12213 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12214 From: rory12001 Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12215 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12216 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12217 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12218 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Latin Grammarians
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12219 From: qfabiusmaxmi@aol.com Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12220 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12221 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12222 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12223 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12224 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12225 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12226 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12227 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12228 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12229 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Question on population numbers
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12230 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: A Simple Question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12231 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: A Simple Question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12232 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12233 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12234 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12235 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: A Simple Question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12236 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12237 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12238 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12239 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12240 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12241 From: Christine Schofield Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Chariot Racing
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12242 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12243 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12244 From: curiobritannicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12245 From: me-in-@disguise.co.uk Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12246 From: M Arminius Maior Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12247 From: Kristoffer From Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12248 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12249 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12250 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12251 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12252 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12253 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12254 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12255 From: StarVVreck@aol.com Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12256 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12257 From: David John White Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Salve from a new citizen
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12258 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12259 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12260 From: M Flavius Aurelius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12261 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12262 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Salve from a new citizen



Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12112 From: Decimus Iunius Silanus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: !!!!!!Britannia !!!!!
Salve Diana Moravia,

Our Gallic cousins will be extended a most hearty
welcome!!

Decimus Iunius Silanus.


> The Gallic 'headquarters' of Gens Moravia has
> discussed (over a few Belgian
> beers ;-) coming to Britannia for a regional
> gathering and we say with great
> enthusiasm "Ja ! Do it! We'll be there!"


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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12113 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Well said Tiberius Galerius Paulinus!!

The same situation applies to myself, except that I am approaching the
age of 68!!!

Respectfully;

Marcus Minucius Audens

A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind follows fast, and fills the
white and rustling sail, and bends the gallant mast; and bends the
gallant mast my boys while like the eagle free, our good ship starts and
flies and leaves old England on our lee------Fair Winds and following
Seas!!!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12114 From: Gaius Cornelius Ahenobarbus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Chariot Racing
Gaia Flavia, if you could please please please take some photos, we'd
forever be in your debt...

> Salve Omnes;
> one of the cives in the NR course, Gaia Flavia of Britannica,tells
>that there will be chariot racing at the racetrack in Chester, with
>full Roman dress.

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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12115 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
Honored Marinus;

Hmmmmmmmmm!! I didn't mean to upset the apple cart here!!! My point
was that we do have a wide range of the Roman world to consider, and
that it is sometimes confusing,-- not that we should neglect any part
of it. I also made the point that the Legions that we sponsor usually
differ from the period from which we take our Administative and
Governmental examples.

I stand by those statements because they are true. My reenactment
activities have nothing to do with my Nova Roma activities. I have had
a difficult time convincing new people and some older people of that
fact, that an individual can do two thngs at once. Please don't jostle
that hard-won victory (Grin!!!!!).

My discussion with Senator Drusus was a series of ideas, some of which I
agree with and some of which I do not, and some which I have not yet
reached a decision about until I review his points thoroughly to find
the kernal of his "truth."

Senator Drusus is a very clever, intelligent and talented individual,
and has some very unique ideas, many of which, to my mind, are right on
the money. He is devoted to Nova Roma, and so when his ideas differ
from mine I like to be able to understand why, simply because I believe
that we both want the same things, differing only in our methodology. I
do not always agree with him, but I A:LWAYS consider what he has to say
very carefully, simply because he is also quicker than I am, and
sometimes it takes me a little longer (Grin!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

There is also another aspect, in that situation that I must keep
carefully in mind, and that is that he and I being Senators, we will
disagree on some things and agree on others. We must ad wiil work
together amicably for a common cause in the Senate to the best of our
ability, and we must retain a respect for one another. Such has not
always been the case in the Senate, for a variety of reasons which would
be inappropriate to discuss here, and which has only returned
disappointment for the individuals concerned and lost opportunities for
the Citizens of Nova Roma.

In that way, we are an effective team, other wise we are opposed always
not mainly to the issues but rather to each other, and that is
unacceptable. I do not wish to walk that road again.

No, my very good friend, I do not propose to ignore one part of the
Roman Panorama for another, but the very extensive length of the Roman
period, during which a myriad of changes to laws, duties,
responsibilities, acceptable activities, etc., are confusing, and do
need to be carefully considered, and some kind of agreement reached by a
majority of modern day Nova Romans. This is needed periodically in
order to move forward in our goal as stated in the Constitution, which
we have all agreed to live by.

I am firmly in agreement that the basis of Nova Roma should be taken
from the Roman world. Having said that, I am fully aware that those
major differences that have been repeatedly mentioned are not simply
"strawmen" but rather impact heavily on what we are trying to do. Add
to those items the modern conviences and the cultural changes which have
occurred since that period, and they all further impact upon our
efforts, in my view.

You are certainly correct, that we are all members of the modern day
with all that means. But by the same token we have pledged to adhere to
the words of our governing documents, which as I pointed out earlier to
Senator Drusus, can be very difficult to agreed upon.

Consider all those occurances which Romans knew nothing about which
impact our considerations every day;

--governments since the years 1000 A.D.;

--Political Parties which have risen and fallen and how they have
changed our world;

--Industrial Revolutions;

--Religious Revolutions, which have through man's inability to live to
the precept's of his own beliefs have plunged the world into war after
war. --etc., etc. etc.

I am well aware of what Nova Roma is supposed to do, and be. I have
served her in the Cursus Honorium, the Senate, as a Provincial Legate
and ProConsul, and as a founder of two Sodalitis. I have remained when
many ctizens more clever, capable, and inspired than myself have left,
most for good reason. I am a plodder, and not a "bright light" , but as
the turtle said to the hare, "I may not be quick but I am sure!!!!"

Respectfully;

Marcus Minucius Audens

A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind follows fast, and fills the
white and rustling sail, and bends the gallant mast; and bends the
gallant mast my boys while like the eagle free, our good ship starts and
flies and leaves old England on our lee------Fair Winds and following
Seas!!!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12116 From: lanius117@aol.com Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilias of Gens Cornelius
Salve, Quinte

That's good to know - maybe she and Aulus can meet sometime, since they are
on the same continent!<LOL>

Vale,

Falco


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12117 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
>
> <<snipped>>
>
> > The Gender issue arose before I became a citizen,
> so I had no input
> > on attempting to do the right thing (encourage the
> proper use of
> > Roman Names) in the wrong way.
>
> I fully agree that to encourage the proper use of
> Roman names is "the
> right thing". I also agree in that the gender name
> lex does not try
> to promote it in the right way.
>
> > The Language issuse was largely a quirk of some
> people who weren't
> > exacly traditionalists.
>
> I don't know if they were what you continue to call
> "traditionalists"
> or no, given that there is no way to check who
> belongs to
> which "faction". Or is there perhaps a roll of
> "traditionalists"?
> :-).
>
> > I'm far more in agreement with the Traditionalists
> than with the
> > Modernists. We want a Nova Roma that is as Roman
> as possible, while
> > the Modernists have no qualms about dropping much
> of our culture
> > for modern ideas.
>
> Do you mean "modern ideas" like our current gens
> system? Why do you
> continue to claim that you defend Roman tradition
> when it is so
> clearly obvious that it is not the case?
>
> > Sir, I'm intrested in Roman culture, if I had any
> intrest in
> > Utopian Social Engineering I would join or start a
> group that had
> > that as it's primary focus rather than seeking to
> impose those
> > alien ideas on a group that was founded for
> another purpose
> > entirely.
>
> The fact is that I am not interested at all in
> "utopian social
> engineering". That is why I want to change our
> current gens system to
> something that resembles the Roman historical model.
> As it is now, it
> simply looks like something taken right out from
> Stalin's mind :-).
>
> > Nova Roma was founded to promote the Religio and
> Roman Culture. We
> > haven't accomplished as much as we could have in
> that area because
> > of constant fights over the introduction of ideas
> that have little
> > or nothing to do with Roma.
>
> I couldn't agree more. The problem is that you do
> not stand in that
> fight where you claim to be standing.
>
> CN�SALIX�ASTVR�T�F�A�NEP�TRIB�OVF
>
>

Sir,
Last year's attempt at Gens reform was a repeat of the
Gender Lex, another attempt to do the right thing in
the wrong way.

The corecive element in the Gender lex resulted in two
mass resignations and several indiviual resignations.

The corercive element of the Gens lex would have
resulted in a mass resignation larger than both of the
mass resignations due to the Gender lex, and likely
some more indiviual resignations.

I Favor enabling legislation in this matter, a lex
that removes the legal problems and enables setting up
historic Gens and Families. I'm opposed to introducing
a corecive element into the legislation because it
will result in the loss of more citizens.

Attempting to coerce citizens into doing the right
thing can not and will not work in Nova Roma. All it
will do is result in citizens leaving the Res Publica,
eithier via a public resignation, or by simply walking
off without bothering to resign.

If they remain in Nova Roma, given some time they may
be persuaded to adopt the proper use of Roman names or
a proper Gens structure. It you drive them away then
you have lost any chance of persuading them.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12118 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Simpler Political Explanations / Compulsory Latin for NR
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, Q. Lani Pauline.
SNIP
>
> I think that senator L. Sicinius Drusus is referring
> to the following
> law:
>
http://www.novaroma.org/tabularium/leges/2002-02-27-ii.html
> This law defines English as the official language of
> the Republic of
> Nova Roma.

No it dosen't. It defines Latin as the Offical
language and English as the Business language. Those
sections of the lex are directly from a Sentus
Consulta passed on 15 November 2754.

See
http://www.novaroma.org/tabularium/senate/2001-11-15-results.html

English doccuments do have precedance over doccuments
written in other languages in the event of a dispute
over meaning. It's common in international treaties to
include a clause like this in the event of a dispute.

Since English is the business language, it was the
logical choice for which doccument would have
preferance in the event of a dispute over divergent
translations.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12119 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Salvete omnes,

It is bedtime in Europe and quitting time in Eastern North America.
Time to shut my discussion down.
This idea of compulsory Latin is, of course, a foolish idea. If such
demands were ever asked we'd be lucky to have 1/2 a dozen people left
in Nova Roma. Then what else follows? A 6 year active service in a
reenactment legion for citizenship qualification as was just pointed
out by one of our citizens in my email? I will study my Latin for
enjoyment, fufillment and mental gymnastics but forcing it on to
citizens would be just awful! Still the key to opening the door to
any culture is its language and that "should" be a minimum
requirement if we were to actually adhere strictly to the old
republic, culture, religion etc. And for religio Romano, one should
be able to read the old Latin about it themselves and not rely upon
other people's translations and interpretations.

I just threw on the Latin requirement post to teach us all a lesson
about where things would quickly go if we are highly selective and
adhere to the old republic very strictly. Also this is for people who
have an interest and passion in Ancient Rome; some are better
equipped and educated than others, some are deeply committed and
others more casual and thoughts as well as opinions, both
conservative or liberal should always be gracefully entertained and
considered. Above all we ought not to tell citizens to start or look
for other lists if their goals or commitments are not up to our
personal beliefs or standards. Should one look for another list if
he or she will not learn Latin proficiency or serve in a legion?
Women, of course will stay out of politics here and confine
themselves to Sodalistas coq et coq or the muses - errrr - Nope, bad
idea! We have a lovely bunch of lady citizens here and I can't
imagine NR without them in a stricter less flexible society.

Anyway I won't make a habit of pulling stunts like this. My apologies
to anyone who may have been offended or put off by my posting on the
Latin language requirements. Simplifying or taking time to explain
complex political issues for the newbies still stands.


Regards,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12120 From: Lucius Cornelius Sardonicus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Alright Paulie, I've had just about enough of this crap. One gig as a hack reporter and all of a sudden you're the Goddess' gift to the theatre?? You're not even qualified to dig my latrine, pal! My agent negotiated 10 on-stage lines, two off-stage lines and a nude scene with the Vestal Virgin. <Rips up contract> Tell you what I'm gonna do. Get them to change my character's name to Antonius Sopranus and give me one million solidi an episode or tonight...you sleep with the fishes.

Stephen Gallagher <spqr753@...> wrote: Some funny stuff



---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12121 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Salve, Quintus Lanius Paulinus -

On Fri, Jun 27, 2003 at 09:50:38PM -0000, Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) wrote:

[ snip ]

> I just threw on the Latin requirement post to teach us all a lesson
> about where things would quickly go if we are highly selective and
> adhere to the old republic very strictly.

For which demonstration I sincerely thank you. It underscores one of the
points which I believe need to be strongly made and remembered here:
tougher requirements for joining or maintaining citizenship in NR simply
mean that more people will resign and fewer will join - period.

For those who mutter about how this isn't consistent with how the Romans
did it, citizenship in Nova Roma does not confer anything resembling the
benefits of Roman citizenship. Our entrance requirements reflect that.
Exclusivity in granting citizenship is usually a privilege of power -
and this is not one of the places where "fake it till you make it" can
bring any positive results.


Vale,
Caius Minucius Scaevola
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Melius frangi quam flecti.
It is better to break than to bend.
-- N/A
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12122 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Salve Tiberi Galeri,

Thank you for the humor! It was indeed a welcome break from the politics in the forum. And though I thank you for mentioning me, might I ask why I had not one line in the piece? And, as a second point, whose daughter (originally) Octavia is? T. Pius, M. Solaris, or M. Germanicus? They are all honorable men, and I'd love to be a son-in-law to either of the three, should they permit me, someday.

Vale,

Postumius
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12123 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
--- Bill Gawne <gawne@...> wrote:
> Salve Marcus Audens, et salvete omens,
>
> Marcus Minucius Audens wrote, while addressing L.
> Sicinius Drusus:
>
> > Well, I must agree to your point that the wide
> period of time recognized
> > by Nova Roma is indeed confusing.
>
> As far as I'm concerned, dear friend, Nova Roma
> exists in the
> 28th century a.u.c. Some of us do historical
> recreations of
> earlier times, some of us study earlier times, and I
> think all
> of us are impressed by the accomplishments of the
> Romans of
> antiquity. But we live here and now.
>
> We chose, as our point of departure, the
> governmental forms of
> the late Republic. This can be seen in things like
> the establishment
> of 193 centuries, which we later realized were too
> many and reduced
> to the current more flexible form requiring not
> fewer than 51.

LSD: The number of Centuries was established under the
Kings and remained at 193 throughout the Republic. It
isn't indictive of any stage of the Republic.

> It is also evident in our magesterial offices and in
> the number
> of Tribunes we have.

The Office of Tribune was established shortly after
the founding of the Republic with the election of two
tribunes in 494 BCE. Most ancient sources agree that
this number was soon raised to 5 Tribunes. In 457 BCE
the number was raised to 10 and remained at 10
throughout the remainder of the Republic.

5 Tribunes is indictive of the Early Republic.

The Office of Praetor was established in 356 BCE. At
first there was only one Praetor. This number was
raised to two in 246 BCE, four in 227 BCE and 6 in 197
BCE. The Dictator Sulla raised it to 8. The Dictator
Caesar raised it to 10, then 12, then 14 and reached
16 before his assination.

2 Praetors is indictive of the Middle Republic.

The office that we call Consul was established at the
start of the Republic, however the title was Praetor
prior to 305 BCE.

Use of the title "Praetor" for the highest office
would be indictive of the Early Republic.

Use of the title "Consul" could be indictive of either
the middle or late Republic.

The number remained at two throughout the Republic and
isn't indictive of any phase.

The Office of Plebian Aedile was established at the
same time as the Tribunes in 494 BCE. The number
remained at two through the Republic and isn't
indictive of any phase.

The Office of Curile Aedile was established in 365
BCE, and remained at two throughout the Republic. It's
existance is indictive of either the middle or late
Republic.

With the exception of the Tribunes, our Magistraital
structure is more indictive of the middle Republic
than any other period.



=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12124 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
G. Iulius Scaurus Q. Lanio Paulino salutem dicit.

Salve, Q. Lani.

Condicione tua accepta, visne ut inquisitionem in lingua Latina
apparem? Exempli gratia:

1. Estne conligatio fellatoris irrumptorisque quam simillima:

a. Equus equesque?
b. Optimatis popularisque?
c. Antonius Cleopatraque?
d. Attikos kai ephebos?
e. Hic nullum?

2. Scribe carmen in metro hendecasyllabico Catulli, sed de gloria
gentis Iuliae (forsan sitne "gentis Laniae"?).

3. Tertium quidque verbum in legibus Saliciis et in legibus Corneliis
e Anglico in Latinum converte.

Num haec vis?

Vale.

G. Iulius Scaurus (fortasse etiam Scurra)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12125 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
--- "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly)"
<mjk@...> wrote:
> Salvete omnes,
SNIP
>
> I just threw on the Latin requirement post to teach
> us all a lesson
> about where things would quickly go if we are highly
> selective and
> adhere to the old republic very strictly. Also this
> is for people who
> have an interest and passion in Ancient Rome; some
> are better
> equipped and educated than others, some are deeply
> committed and
> others more casual and thoughts as well as opinions,
> both
> conservative or liberal should always be gracefully
> entertained and
> considered. Above all we ought not to tell citizens
> to start or look
> for other lists if their goals or commitments are
> not up to our
> personal beliefs or standards. Should one look for
> another list if
> he or she will not learn Latin proficiency or serve
> in a legion?
> Women, of course will stay out of politics here and
> confine
> themselves to Sodalistas coq et coq or the muses -
> errrr - Nope, bad
> idea! We have a lovely bunch of lady citizens here
> and I can't
> imagine NR without them in a stricter less flexible
> society.
>

Sir,
Many of us have intrests that have nothing to do with
Nova Roma. These might be Cars, Computers, Video
Games, Model Airplanes or Modern Political theory.

Most of the citizens who have these outside intrests
are able to refrain from demanding that thier intrests
become an offical part of Nova Roma, though this
dosen't seem true of citizens who have a passion for
modern political theory. They seek to inflict this on
the rest of us.

I Have, and continue to suggest that these people do
the same as the citizens who have an intrest in Video
Games or or Model Airplanes and persue intrests that
have nothing to do with Roma in another venue.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12126 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could Hav
Salvete Quirites; et salve, L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> Sir,
> Last year's attempt at Gens reform was a repeat of the
> Gender Lex, another attempt to do the right thing in
> the wrong way.
>
> The corecive element in the Gender lex resulted in two
> mass resignations and several indiviual resignations.
>
> The corercive element of the Gens lex would have
> resulted in a mass resignation larger than both of the
> mass resignations due to the Gender lex, and likely
> some more indiviual resignations.

Last year's proposal was not coercitive, senator. People were allowed
to choose where they would be, *including* their current gens
leader's familia (even though that would have been quite
unhistorical). Many efforts were made to reach a compromise; the
problem was that one of the parts was not willing to reach a
compromise at all, because it was more than happy with the current
anti-historical situation.

> I Favor enabling legislation in this matter, a lex that removes the
> legal problems and enables setting up historic Gens and Families.

Then why are you against a reform that seeks to do exactly that?

> I'm opposed to introducing a corecive element into the legislation
> because it will result in the loss of more citizens.

You will have to forgive me, senator, but I am beginning to think
that you should re-read last year's proposal very carefully. You keep
insisting in its coercitive nature; the truth is that it allowed each
citizen to decide his personal status. What we currently
call "gentes" would have been allowed to continue to exist with minor
changes (basically, it would be called a "familia" instead of
a "gens", and it would need a cognomen as well as a nomen to be
differentiated from other familiae in the same gens).

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12127 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Salve Diana

> DMA: Good question. I think it is a 'they' thing in which citizens are
> accused of being a part of when they are not in accord with the main stream.

No, it is not. The boni list exists, and Q Fabius has mentioned being
on it in the Back Alley. Its Yahoo Groups Web site proclaims it to be
the list of a "Nova Roman Faction".

Vale
T Labienus Fortunatus
--
"magna pars consilii in tempore"
- Seneca
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12128 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR Citizenship REVEALED!
Salvete Quirites; et salve, Quinte Lani.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael
Kelly)" <mjk@d...> wrote:
> Salvete omnes,
>
> It is bedtime in Europe and quitting time in Eastern North America.
> Time to shut my discussion down.
> This idea of compulsory Latin is, of course, a foolish idea. If
> such demands were ever asked we'd be lucky to have 1/2 a dozen
> people left in Nova Roma. Then what else follows? A 6 year active
> service in a reenactment legion for citizenship qualification as
> was just pointed out by one of our citizens in my email? I will
> study my Latin for enjoyment, fufillment and mental gymnastics but
> forcing it on to citizens would be just awful! Still the key to
> opening the door to any culture is its language and that "should"
> be a minimum requirement if we were to actually adhere strictly to
> the old republic, culture, religion etc. And for religio Romano,
> one should be able to read the old Latin about it themselves and
> not rely upon other people's translations and interpretations.

<<snipped>>

I think that Quintus Lanius has pointed out a valid concern.

We all are here because we would like to see more of Ancient Rome in
our modern world. In Roma Aeterna, we have a lamplight that
illuminates our thoughts and visions. But we must be careful not to
loose common sense.

In our efforts to be as Roman as possible, we might end up being more
Roman than the Romans, and taking decisions like the one Q. Lanius
jokingly suggested. Let's hope that the Immortal Gods will keep our
minds calm and clear to avoid this kind of mistakes.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12129 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
>
> <<snipped>>
>
> > Sir,
> > Last year's attempt at Gens reform was a repeat of
> the
> > Gender Lex, another attempt to do the right thing
> in
> > the wrong way.
> >
> > The corecive element in the Gender lex resulted in
> two
> > mass resignations and several indiviual
> resignations.
> >
> > The corercive element of the Gens lex would have
> > resulted in a mass resignation larger than both of
> the
> > mass resignations due to the Gender lex, and
> likely
> > some more indiviual resignations.
>
> Last year's proposal was not coercitive, senator.
> People were allowed
> to choose where they would be, *including* their
> current gens
> leader's familia (even though that would have been
> quite
> unhistorical). Many efforts were made to reach a
> compromise; the
> problem was that one of the parts was not willing to
> reach a
> compromise at all, because it was more than happy
> with the current
> anti-historical situation.
>
> > I Favor enabling legislation in this matter, a lex
> that removes the
> > legal problems and enables setting up historic
> Gens and Families.
>
> Then why are you against a reform that seeks to do
> exactly that?
>
> > I'm opposed to introducing a corecive element into
> the legislation
> > because it will result in the loss of more
> citizens.
>
> You will have to forgive me, senator, but I am
> beginning to think
> that you should re-read last year's proposal very
> carefully. You keep
> insisting in its coercitive nature; the truth is
> that it allowed each
> citizen to decide his personal status. What we
> currently
> call "gentes" would have been allowed to continue to
> exist with minor
> changes (basically, it would be called a "familia"
> instead of
> a "gens", and it would need a cognomen as well as a
> nomen to be
> differentiated from other familiae in the same
> gens).
>
> CN�SALIX�ASTVR�T�F�A�NEP�TRIB�OVF
>
>


1. A Family was defined so narrowly that my
Macronational Extended family woudn't qualify as a
Nova Roman Family. The narrow definition of a family
was ahistoric.

2. Citizens within a Gens that wished to retain it's
structure were forced to opt in in rather than opt
out. Changes were being applied without a citizens
consent if he failed to take action. This should never
happen, a change in status should only come on the
request of the citizen. This was a later version.
Earlier versions would have required a Macronational
adpotion, something that is every bit intrusive as the
Gender Lex.

3. New citizens would be banned from joining an
existing ahistoric Gens even if they wished to do so.
The sugestion was made that they undergo a
Macronational Adoption process, again a process as
intrusive as anything in the Gender lex.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12130 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
A. Apollonius Cordus to Sp. Postumius Tubertus and all
citizens and peregrines, greetings.

> And though I thank you for mentioning me, might I
> ask why I had not one line in the piece?

Hey, at least you got a mention!

I can only take my absence from the series as a sign
that I am not sufficiently well-known to boost the
ratings: I must raise my profile by posting longer
messages and more of them.

You have been warned... ;)

Cordus

=====
www.collapsibletheatre.co.uk

________________________________________________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12131 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Salve Sp. Postumius Tubertus,

I was in the Navy so seeing your noting that you are joining the Navy
kinda perked my ears up a little. May I inquire if you are enlisting
or have you been accepted at the Naval Academy?

Vale,

Q. Cassius Calvus
"Fluctuat nec mergitur"

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Sp. Postumius Tubertus"
<postumius@g...> wrote:
>
> From one going into the Navy, I can tell you in full certainty that
Paganism, Wicca, and a lot of other not so highly populated religions
are not illegal within the military.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12132 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Salve Scaure,

Well Spanish is my second langauge and if this were my 36 month
deadline, out on my ass I would go from NR. I'll tell you what I can
understand or not at this point. I haven't taken Latin yet but I gave
give your instructions a try. Took me about 50 minutes to figure your
text out (if more or less correct).A POEM would take a week or more,
a few months for a lex translation.

Thus is the fate of a stricter Nova Roma!!!!!!


Hello, Q. Lanius,

As a condition to your acceptance look at the questions in apparent
Latin: examples free:

1)Is it not the poison that similarily penetrates?

a) horse and knight
b) Optimist party and populist party (republican Rome)
c) Marc Anthony and Cleopatra?
d) Attikos(Greek hero) and ehpebes (some athenian military oath?)
e) Here, nobody?


2) Write a poem in meter, (hendecasysyllabico catulli)-some poetic or
music format? about the glory of the Julian family (perhaps the Lania
family?)


3) Third, whatever word about the Saliciss bill and about the
Cornelius bill from English and modify them into Latin.

Surely you would be willing to do this?

Goodbye,


G.Iulius Scaurus (it maybe actually Scurra)


> Salve, Q. Lani.
>
> Condicione tua accepta, visne ut inquisitionem in lingua Latina
> apparem? Exempli gratia:
>
> 1. Estne conligatio fellatoris irrumptorisque quam simillima:
>
> a. Equus equesque?
> b. Optimatis popularisque?
> c. Antonius Cleopatraque?
> d. Attikos kai ephebos?
> e. Hic nullum?
>
> 2. Scribe carmen in metro hendecasyllabico Catulli, sed de gloria
> gentis Iuliae (forsan sitne "gentis Laniae"?).
>
> 3. Tertium quidque verbum in legibus Saliciis et in legibus
Corneliis
> e Anglico in Latinum converte.
>
> Num haec vis?
>
> Vale.
>
> G. Iulius Scaurus (fortasse etiam Scurra)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12133 From: Bill Gawne Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: NOVA roma
MarcusAudens@... wrote:
>
> Honored Marinus;
>
> Hmmmmmmmmm!! I didn't mean to upset the apple cart here!!!

And indeed, my dear friend, you did not upset any apple cart of
mine. I think that you and I see the matter similarly.

> My point
> was that we do have a wide range of the Roman world to consider, and
> that it is sometimes confusing,-- not that we should neglect any part
> of it.

Indeed, I agree. My primary point is that we live in 2756 a.u.c.
and we should not - with respect to our Nova Roman activities - be
trying to live in the past.

-- Marinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12134 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Salve Quinte Cassi,

> I was in the Navy so seeing your noting that you are joining the Navy
> kinda perked my ears up a little. May I inquire if you are enlisting
> or have you been accepted at the Naval Academy?

Neither, actually. The Navy has offered me an NROTC scholarship, but, at the moment, it is solely dependant on whether or not I get accepted to a college having an NROTC program. Needless to say, (I think Marinus would be interested to hear) I had a meeting with the Marine recruiter today.... He scored no points with me.

Vale,

Sp. Postumius Tubertus

"Nam nemo sine vitiis nascitur; optimus ille est qui minima habet." -- Q. Horatius Flaccus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12135 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-27
Subject: To Senators and Tribunes of Nova Roma / Legion Support
Salvete Honorable Senators et Tribunes,

I am posting this message on the ML since your email read
undeliverable.

This is just a short note to voice my support for NR sponsership of
Kaeso Maximus Tiberius and the XX1 Legion. I live just 3 hours north
of them in Edmonton, AB. and plan on joining and participating with
this group as soon as I spring free from my drilling projects. I am
confident that this group will bring Canada Occidentales into new
vigour and out of the doldrums which we have been in until very
recently. Your consideration for their request of sponsership is
greatly appreciated.

Yours respectfully

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12136 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Salve we will just have to wait for the next chapter of " As the Tiber Flows" to fine out who your future Pater-in Law will be HUMMMMMMMMMM?

Vale

Tiberius
----- Original Message -----
From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 6:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY


Salve Tiberi Galeri,

Thank you for the humor! It was indeed a welcome break from the politics in the forum. And though I thank you for mentioning me, might I ask why I had not one line in the piece? And, as a second point, whose daughter (originally) Octavia is? T. Pius, M. Solaris, or M. Germanicus? They are all honorable men, and I'd love to be a son-in-law to either of the three, should they permit me, someday.

Vale,

Postumius


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12137 From: christyacb Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Researcher looking for reconstructionist Pagans with military c
Salvete,

You are quite right in that it isn't illegal, but I've been in for
17 years and can speak, as an officer who is pagan, that your career
is definitely hampered by being such. Perhaps enlisted can get away
with it and have no effect on their career, but the community is
simply too small in the officer world for it not to follow you. Like
myself, most other pagan officers that I know keep it very, very
quiet and simply draw no attention to it. Those who "come out" are
suddenly walking into the wardroom that becomes silent upon entry,
are "missed" on the email list for wardroom golfing outings (read as
schmoozing for face time), and other informal outings. For myself,
I'm silent as can be on the topic of my religion to avoid that. I
want the promotions and the assignments I need to get them. It might
be construed as taking the safe way out and thereby not promoting the
cause of equality but I've seen too much honesty backfire.

Valete,
Christy Nemo

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Sp. Postumius Tubertus"
<postumius@g...> wrote:
> Salvete Omnes,
>
> From our dearest Diana Moravia:
>
> "I don't think that Paganism is illegal within the military, so I
don't think
> this will be a problem. I know one Lt Col. in the US Army who does
Wiccan
> rituals with permission on his base and also did them during Desert
Storm.
> Supposedly, the Chaplains in some areas are now being versed on the
> different types of pagansim.
> Anyway, I'll look up his name and forward Patricia Cassia's email
to him."
>
> From one going into the Navy, I can tell you in full certainty that
Paganism, Wicca, and a lot of other not so highly populated religions
are not illegal within the military. In fact, the military is not
permitted to ban a religion, unless irrefutable facts are presented
which show that the beliefs of the religion condone and mandate
willful harm to a person, animal, or to the property of another. So
far as I have practiced, none of these apply to Wicca, nor to any
other form of Paganism.
>
> I hope this answers some questions. When I find the official
information regarding this, I'll post it here, and make sure it gets
to the beginning of this thread.
>
> Vale,
>
> Sp. Postumius Tubertus
>
> "Nam nemo sine vitiis nascitur; optimus ille est qui minima
habet." -- Q. Horatius Flaccus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12138 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
Salve my dear Cordus that was just episode MCXXLLYYQQ or some such Roman number just wait for the next

installment of : "As the Tiber Flows" on WSPQR . When you here some one say


ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Latin I don't have any time to study Latin

I have a 460 page LEX I need to finish or I am out of the Cohort ( Little JOKE)


Vale

Tiberius "David Lean" Galerius


----- Original Message -----
From: A. Apollonius Cordus
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 9:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY


A. Apollonius Cordus to Sp. Postumius Tubertus and all
citizens and peregrines, greetings.

> And though I thank you for mentioning me, might I
> ask why I had not one line in the piece?

Hey, at least you got a mention!

I can only take my absence from the series as a sign
that I am not sufficiently well-known to boost the
ratings: I must raise my profile by posting longer
messages and more of them.

You have been warned... ;)

Cordus

=====
www.collapsibletheatre.co.uk

________________________________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12139 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
G. Iulius Scaurus Q. Lanio Paulino salutem dicit.

Salve, Q. Lani.

> Well Spanish is my second langauge and if this were my 36 month
> deadline, out on my ass I would go from NR. I'll tell you what I can
> understand or not at this point. I haven't taken Latin yet but I gave
> give your instructions a try. Took me about 50 minutes to figure your
> text out (if more or less correct).A POEM would take a week or more,
> a few months for a lex translation.

On the basis of your translation I'm not certain you're proposing
enough time. I am, however, pleased to inform you that the current
translation does qualify you for a servile position in Provincia
Tarraconensis :-). The down side is that I can't guarantee there
won't be a crucifixion for failing to follow instructions eventually
(some misunderstandings can be _so_ unfortunate).

> Thus is the fate of a stricter Nova Roma!!!!!!

Tu quoque, Pauline.

Now about that translation...

> Hello, Q. Lanius,

That's good.

> As a condition to your acceptance look at the questions in apparent
> Latin: examples free:

Not quite. Try: "When your proposal has been accepted [it's an
ablative absolute construction; I could have used a "cum" clause, but
ablative absolutes are fairly common], do you want me to prepare an
examination in the Latin language? For example:"

> 1)Is it not the poison that similarily penetrates?

This is a little further off the mark. Try: "The relationship of
fellator and irrumptor [for the sake of impuberes I'll translate those
in email if you'd like; "irrumptor" is a variant of "irrumator" which
appears fairly frequently in classical graffiti] is most like to:"

> a) horse and knight

Yes.

> b) Optimist party and populist party (republican Rome)

"Optimates" comes from the the superlative of "bonus" -- "optimus" --
"The faction of the Best" rather than the optimist party; "populist"
will do if you don't make modern political associations with it.

> c) Marc Anthony and Cleopatra?

Yes.

> d) Attikos(Greek hero) and ehpebes (some athenian military oath?)

Not exactly. Try: "Atticus and an adolescent boy". No points off,
since it's Greek not Latin.

> e) Here, nobody?

More like, "None of it." And you didn't answer the question.

> 2) Write a poem in meter, (hendecasysyllabico catulli)-some poetic or
> music format? about the glory of the Julian family (perhaps the Lania
> family?)

Again, not exactly. It's "write a poem in the hendecasyllabic meter
of Catullus, but about the glory of the gens Iulia (perhaps it should
be 'the gens Lania'?)."

> 3) Third, whatever word about the Saliciss bill and about the
> Cornelius bill from English and modify them into Latin.

No. Try: "Translate every third word of the Salician and the
Cornelian laws from English into Latin."

> Surely you would be willing to do this?

No, "num" introduces questions to which the questioner expects a
negative answer, so "Surely you don't want these?"

> Goodbye,

Righto.

> G. Iulius Scaurus (it maybe actually Scurra)

Half is right, but it is the half that doesn't need translation; the
parenthetical is "perhaps also the jokester."

Valete.

G. Iulius Scaurus (certe etiam Scurra)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12140 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
--- "A. Apollonius Cordus" <cordus@...>
wrote:
> A. Apollonius Cordus to Senator L. Sinicius Drusus
> and
> all citizens and peregrines, greetings.
>
> Senator, I must tell you that I am most frustrated
> by
> your most recent message on this topic. I am on the
> verge of becoming convinced that you have no
> interest
> in testing the Fabian system at all, and are merely
> using your demand for mock-elections as an excuse
> not
> to discuss the system on its merits.

Actually I'm giving you the benifit of the doubt by
sugesting that we try it out in a Mock election, and
then allowing the voters to decide.

Since you insist on my thoughts,

The supporters of this measure are being less than
honest in bringing up endless runoffs. Those occured
in a Comita that the Senior Consul can't even vote in,
let alone promulgate leges in. This proposal will have
zero effect in the Plebian assembly if the Tribunes
don't promulgate it there, and if there have been any
posts on thier plans to do so I missed them in the
deluge of mail of late. In the Comitiae where the
Senior Consul can promulgate leges we have not had
endless runoffs.

BOTH the Fabian and the Julian proposals contain
voting for multiple canidates, which is historic. That
is a plus for both. It is also about the only historic
element in your proposal. this method of voting has a
tendancy to produce factionalism. Minor parties who
could never achive the support of a majority are big
advocates of it. Once you reach the stage where there
are many factions the result is the need to form
coalations. Some may think this sort of compramise
will have good effects, but there is a darker side to
it. Coalations are inheritally unstable. This can lead
to wild shifts in the manner a nation is governed.
Minor partners in a coalation are often able to use
the threat of withdrawl to gain concessions far beyond
whta could be expected from thier electorial stength.
A good case in point is Isreal where the minor
partners in the Likuid party's coalation have made the
government more radical.

The Fabian proposal has no safegaurds against this
balkanization of Nova Roma politics. The Sequential
voting of the far more historic system proposed by
Giaus Julius should help mitigate this problem. I have
observed the effects of Sequential voting for over
thirty years, not in an Ivory tower exercise, or a
computer simulation, but in the very real world of
American Politics. The Primary System that is used to
nominate canidates for the American Presidancy. As
earlier results become known support tends to swing
towards the leading canidates culling the weaker
canidates from the field.

Multiple voting is historic, but it is also just part
of the system that the Romans used to elect
magistrates. Just adopting part of the system can have
consequances that create a very ahistoric political
landscape in Nova Roma. I'm being very kind to your
proposal when all I do is ask for a simple trial run
in a mock election for a system who's full negative
consequances might not be known for several years, and
who's tendancy towards factionalism make make a reform
of this reform impossible short of apointing a
dictator.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12141 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
G. Iulius Scaurus T. Galerio Paulino salutem dicit.

Salve, T. Galeri.

You do realise that if you marry me off to Lollia Paulina, you will
have to go to your knees and worship me? After all, if that
historicist-traditionalist viewpoint you've advocated is consistent...
Ah, the burdens of Iulian ancestry....

Vale.

G. Iulius Scaurus
(who has had entirely too much fun today)
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12142 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Catullus links
G. Iulius Scaurus S. P. D.

Avete, Quirites.

Speaking of Catullus (as I did earlier with Q. Lanius), here are two
Catullus-related links:

Richard Cardona's "Catullus on the Web":

http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/rcardona/poetry/catullus/catullus.html

And the excellent "Studienbibliographie zu Catull [Bibliography of
Studies on Catullus]" from Ulrich Schmitzer (Univ. of Erlangen):

http://www.phil.uni-erlangen.de/~p2latein/schmitzer/catbib.html

Valete, Quirites.

G. Iulius Scaurus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12143 From: Sp. Postumius Tubertus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Catullus links
Sp. Postumius Tubertus C. Iulio Scauro S.P.D.

Salve,

I've been holding this in for a while, but Caius Iulius, you're just so useful to Nova Roma, I don't know how I'd get information without you (other than relying to Quintus Fabius)! Multas Gratias tibi ago, Amice Mi Iuliane!

Vale,

Sp. Postumius Tubertus

"Nam nemo sine vitiis nascitur; optimus ille est qui minima habet." -- Q. Horatius Flaccus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12144 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Salve Lucius Cornelius Sardonicus :

Sir

Our firm is in receipt of your message to our client, Tiberius Galerius Paulinus and he has asked us to convey to you his regrets that you are leaving the show " As the Tiber Flows after just one year.

He wishes you the best ........in the time you have remaining.

Vale on behalf of our firm

Marius
Umbrius
Rufus
Domitius
Equitis
Rutilius
Iulivu
Novius
carius




----- Original Message -----
From: Lucius Cornelius Sardonicus
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY


Alright Pauline, I've had just about enough of this crap. One gig as a hack reporter and all of a sudden you're the Goddess' gift to the theatre?? You're not even qualified to dig my latrine, pal! My agent negotiated 10 on-stage lines, two off-stage lines and a nude scene with the Vestal Virgin. <Rips up contract> Tell you what I'm going do. Get them to change my character's name to Antonius Sopranus and give me one million solidi an episode or tonight...you sleep with the fishes.

Stephen Gallagher <spqr753@...> wrote: Some funny stuff



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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12145 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET
Salve My dear friend G. Iuli Scauro ( Not right is it)

Just remember that the Ides of March come again next year. Or worst in the next episode , of

As the Tiber Flows we find out that she is your long lost sister that was kidnapped by Punic pirates.


Vale

Tiberius "David Lean" Galerius


----- Original Message -----
From: GÂ¥IVLIVSÂ¥SCAVRVS
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2003 1:04 AM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED CO


G. Iulius Scaurus T. Galerio Paulino salutem dicit.

Salve, T. Galeri.

You do realise that if you marry me off to Lollia Paulina, you will
have to go to your knees and worship me? After all, if that
historicist-traditionalist viewpoint you've advocated is consistent...
Ah, the burdens of Iulian ancestry....

Vale.

G. Iulius Scaurus
(who has had entirely too much fun today)




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12146 From: Gaius Galerius Peregrinator Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
----Original Message Follows----
From: "A. Apollonius Cordus" <cordus@...>
Reply-To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] "As the Tiber Flows TOP SECRET! ADVANCED COPY
Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 02:14:43 +0100 (BST)

A. Apollonius Cordus to Sp. Postumius Tubertus and all
citizens and peregrines, greetings.

> And though I thank you for mentioning me, might I
> ask why I had not one line in the piece?

Hey, at least you got a mention!

I can only take my absence from the series as a sign
that I am not sufficiently well-known to boost the
ratings: I must raise my profile by posting longer
messages and more of them.

You have been warned... ;)

Cordus


Oh no! Now you've done it Tiberius.

________________________________________________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12147 From: Lucius Rutilius Minervalis Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Ancient pictures of Roma
Salvete Omnes !

I have just put on my site ancient photographs of Roma (taken about
MMDCCL ?)

http://latiniter.net/Latinitas/Pinacotheca/Roma01.htm

Valete Omnes !

Lucius Rutilius Minervalis
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12148 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Salvete Cives,

It seems the discussion has moved on somewhat so forgive me for
posting on old news. Work this week has kept me from this discussion
but I wanted to make my position plain. I wish I had the time to
respond message by message, point by point on the issues discussed
lately: electoral reform and tangentially, the purpose of Nova Roma,
whether recreation (I prefer the term revival or restoration) or a
hybrid New Republic. I cannot hope to cover all bases with this one
post but will try. I will strive to be succinct; I know people are
sick of LONG discussions of minutiae that often end up being deleted
rather than read.

I spoke in support of the rough outline of a proposal Iulius Scaurus
posted to this list to have the comitia centuriata vote more
historically. I still think it is the most fitting system proposed
since I have been here as it follows the historical model in a
practical way. I know it is a rough draft but that draft is better
than any finished product I have seen in my time here. That rough
draft should be the basis for a proposed Lex.

Flavius Vedius and Titus Labienus Fortunatus designed the current
system with the express purpose of preventing any one faction from
dominating Nova Roman politics by preventing block voting, as
explained in a recent post by the consul. The so-called modernist
faction has recently put forward a proposal designed to encourage
block voting and allow the political dominance of their faction.
Understandable, that is politics. However, the proposal by Iulius
Scaurus has brought back to mind the importance of emulating the
ancients rather than designing modern systems to fit our needs
(preventing factional dominance or allowing it).

As a result of the Iulian proposal, the modernist vs. restorationist
debate has arisen, as has the question of why we are here. What is
each of these camps? Who are they? What do they represent? The
Restorationists (Traditionalists, Revivalists, whatever name you
prefer) wish to continue Nova Roma's mission of restoring the Roman
Republic in the modern world. In order to do that, Nova Roma must
become "in all manners practical and acceptable, as the modern
restoration of the ancient Roman Republic. The culture, religion, and
society of Nova Roma shall be patterned upon those of ancient Rome."

The primary influence for anything we do here should be ancient Rome,
followed by the traditions we have established since the founding of
Nova Roma and followed lastly by our macronational influences. Cives,
in order to reasonably act like Romans, think like Romans, BE Romans,
we have to do as the Romans did. The republic must be restored, the
culture revived before it can move forward to become the Rome of the
28th century that some so grandly speak of without thinking what that
phrase means. How can the Republic be taken into the 28th century
without going back to where Rome left off? We are not in the 28th
century of Roman civilization; we are in the 21st century of the
Christian era. There are no intervening 16 centuries of Roman
history, we must restore what WAS as closely as possible before we
think of modern innovations. It is useless to speculate what the Rome
would look like had it survived into the 28th century of Rome. It
didn't—it fell. However, we have a pretty good idea of what Rome
looked like and we can recreate that as closely as humanly possible
and in doing so revive Roman culture and restore the republic.

To do otherwise is to play parts in a modern role-playing Roman game,
a "what Rome could have been" act. Latin names, occasionally don the
toga, use Roman terms for completely modern ideas and say they are
Roman. Well, they're not Roman. What we do here isn't Roman because
we say it is Roman, it is Roman because it emulates the ancients as
closely as possible. That is the measurement of what is Roman. As
Romanitas becomes ingrained in us what we do will be Roman by virtue
of the habit of acting as Romans. What we do cannot truly be "Roman"
until we have been Romans for quite awhile.

Naturally there are going to be times when we can't follow the
ancients closely because it is impossible or extremely difficult to
do in the modern world but that should not be used as an excuse to
not follow the ancients when it is possible. We are not trying to
live in the past but rebuild what once was so that can be carried
into the future.

I used to be much closer to the "modernist" position 3 or 4 years ago
than I am now. I prattled on about the centuries of philosophy and
theology that could not be ignored in "rebuilding" Rome. All that is
vital to us as moderns but I came to realize that was not Rome but my
perception of what I thought Rome should look like in the modern
world (though I was never of the extreme modernist variety evident
now). In the last two years I moved closer to being a
reconstructionist as I saw people come in to Nova Roma and take the
extreme view evident on this list lately, those who speak of
the "spirit" of Rome (however they interpret that) and who chatter on
more about their macronatiomnal influences and fairness than about
Roman influences. I realized that many were not here to rebuild Rome
but to put a THIN Roman veneer over a micronation that would
essentially be a copy of their macronations. Obviously the Roma of
Nova Roma was of little importance to them. I began to wonder why
these "the 28th century of Rome" roleplayers were here. I still do.

Valete,

Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12149 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
<No, it is not. The boni list exists, and Q Fabius has mentioned being
<on it in the Back Alley. Its Yahoo Groups Web site proclaims it to be
<the list of a "Nova Roman Faction".

Thank you Junior Consul. After my reply to Lucius Equitius, I saw your post
with the boni_nr link. I am sure that I am not the only one who was curious
to learn more about a faction that is not afraid to call themselves one and
that is publicly listed on yahoogroups.

Vale,
Diana Moravia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12150 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Salve my dear friend Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus

You were missed in the recent debates but you have just now made up for it very nicely .

Good to have you back!!! As your words speak for themselves, I will use one thing you said to make a point:

You said in part "I will strive to be succinct; I know people are sick of LONG discussions of minutiae that often end up being deleted rather than read."

It would not be very "Roman" to simply delete something before it is read. It would not show respect for someone else's hard work, it would show an absences of gravitas, and a lack of patientia.

When I get home from work I have to wade through nearly 150-200 e-mails a day some are disposed quickly but everything from Nova Roma is opened and read regardless of what the topic is or who posted it.

It is simply good manners.

Pax vobiscum
Tiberius Galerius Paulinus

Homines libenter quod volunt credunt




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12151 From: Laureatus Armoricus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Welcome To Britannia Gallici
Salvete Diana et omnes,

And a great welcome to our gallic friend if they find time to join us in
Britannia soon.
We have now narrowed the potential dates to two W/e : 4/5 and 11/12 October
2003.
We have a little poll on the Britannia list so that people can choose which
week end they prefer to attend to before we make the final choice.
You may all contact me privately on CornMoraviusL@... with your choice
and also let me know what can of budget you are on ie how much per night can
you spare ?

Diana, cara soror, can you please forward me a list of people who would be
interested ?

Multas gratias omnibus ago

Corn. Moravius Laureatus Armoricus
"To a man with a hammer, every issue looks like a nail"
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12152 From: TiAnO Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
Salvete omnes,

Before leaving for Carthage on my holidays, I have to answer to this:

If, and I repeat, IF, a lex is proposed which makes Latin compulsory for all citizens, I would certainly first of all see if this lex is not against the constitution of NR. It would dicriminate many citizens, make NR just another elite club and go against everything I thought NR stands for!!!

I have no problem with Latin, don't understand me wrong, I study Latin, but I canot understand why some people think that Latin should be the only language which should be officially allowed in NR. Many of those say, that this should be because it was also so in ancient times. That, however, can be proved wrong!!!!!! How do you think Pontius Pilatus and Jesus comunicated? In Latin? NO!!!! Most probably in ancient Greek!!! So why not make that language our official one??

I is my personal opinion, that the idea of compulsory Latin is not good for NR and that the most used argument for this idea is not even historically correct.

That's it for now, I'm off to the Greek speaking part of the imperium. Valete bene, TiAnO



Tiberius Annaeus Otho (TiAnO) Factio Praesina
Lictor curiatus
Translator linguae Germanicae
Paterfamilias gentis Annaearum
Praefectus scribarum regionis Germaniae Superioris
Tribunus laticlavius militum legionis XI CPF
Homepage: http://www.tiano.ch.tt


---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12153 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Compulsory Latin for NR
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, GÂ¥IVLIVSÂ¥SCAVRVS <gfr@i...> wrote:
> G. Iulius Scaurus Q. Lanio Paulino salutem dicit.
>
> Salve, Q. Lani.
>
> > Well Spanish is my second langauge and if this were my 36 month
> > deadline, out on my ass I would go from NR. I'll tell you what I
can
> > understand or not at this point. I haven't taken Latin yet but I
gave
> > give your instructions a try. Took me about 50 minutes to figure
your
> > text out (if more or less correct).A POEM would take a week or
more,
> > a few months for a lex translation.
>
> On the basis of your translation I'm not certain you're proposing
> enough time. I am, however, pleased to inform you that the current
> translation does qualify you for a servile position in Provincia
> Tarraconensis :-). The down side is that I can't guarantee there
> won't be a crucifixion for failing to follow instructions eventually
> (some misunderstandings can be _so_ unfortunate).
>
> > Thus is the fate of a stricter Nova Roma!!!!!!
>
> Tu quoque, Pauline.
>
>Snip,

Well thanks Iuli,

I would have just squeaked by expulsion and would have improved over
time. Now for bad translating you'd have to dispatch me with a sword
if I still retained Roman citizenship since cruxcifiction or flogging
of a Roman citizen was not allowed according to some research I did
on another list. (LOL)

Thanks for giving me and correcting the exercise. I think those cases
for the nouns and sentence structure will be challenging to say the
least. Anyway I am taking our beginners Latin course from Thules,
bought a dictionary and a few Latin for dummies and idiot series
books as well as Wheelock's Latin. I shall see where it takes me from
here!

Regards

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12154 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Merhan Karimi Nasseri
Merhan Karimi Nasseri is a former citizen of Iran. He
had his Iranian citizenship revoked for opossing the
Islamic regime and was evicted from the country. His
Mother was a British Subject so he attempted to move
to her homeland, but his luggage containing his
doccuments was stolen.

Mr Nasseri was denied entry to the UK because ofhis
lack of documents and sent back to Paris. French
Officals arrested him for entering the nation
illegally. The French Courts freed him from that
charge, but the French government refused to admit him
into the country. Since he isn't a citizen of any
nation there was nowhere to deport him to.

This happened in 1989. For 10 years Mr Nasseri
couldn't leagally leave the Airport in Paris. Finally
in 1999 The French Government offered him travel
doccuments. These listed his natinality as Iranian. Mr
Nasseri has refused these because he considers himself
a British Subject and the documents wouldn't allow him
entry into his Mother's homeland. He's still stuck in
the Paris Airport!

What does Mr Nasseri have to do with Nova Roma? If he
became a citizen he would be Nova Roma's only citizen
who wasn't also a citizen of a "modern" nation. The
Modernists act like they are in Mr Nasseri's postion,
that a failure to modernize Nova Roma would leave them
without citizenship in a modern nation.

All the citizens currently in Nova Roma are allready
citizens of a modern nation, one of the Macronations.
That is the proper venue for modern politics. Turning
Nova Roma into a "modern" nation does nothing but make
it's members into citizens of two modern nations,
reducing Nova Roma to redunancy.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12155 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
> 1. A Family was defined so narrowly that my
> Macronational Extended family woudn't qualify as a
> Nova Roman Family. The narrow definition of a family
> was ahistoric.

The sweeping definition of family that you like to see (i.e., any
random horde of people who know each other only through email) is
equally ahistoric.

> 2. Citizens within a Gens that wished to retain it's
> structure were forced to opt in in rather than opt
> out. Changes were being applied without a citizens
> consent if he failed to take action.

And what was this change that would be applied without the citizens'
consent? That citizen would be given the freedom to leave the gens.
Your faction insisted that citizens who failed to respond during an
initial notification period would forevermore be bound to their
current paterfamilias, even more tightly than before.

> This should never happen, a change in status should only come on the
> request of the citizen.

We did not seek to change the status of any citizen, except to grant
them more freedom. Your faction sought to impose restrictions on
citizens without their consent.


--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12156 From: gaiuspopilliuslaenas Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Salve Deci Iuni Palladi Invicte

Regarding Post # 12148

You apologize for a long post, but I must thank you my firned for so
succinctly stating what I and others have neem trying to say.

Bravo!

Vale,
Gaius Popillius Laenas
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12157 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Salve Deci Iuni,

Your analysis is, in some ways, accurate. However, you turn a
blind eye towards the fundamental flaw in the thinking of the
Reactionary ("Reconstructionist") faction:

The Reactionaries do not seek to restore an accurate recreation of
the Roman Republic, but instead seek to create a system that
exaggerates the Roman Republic to absurdity.

Specifically, with regards to the gens debate, the Reactionaries seek
not only to restore pater potestas, but to extend it to include people
that the so-called paterfamilias has never even met!

The Reactionaries believe that, by exchanging email with someone whose
name and address were seen on a web page, that the person doing so
has irrevocably placed himself under the authority of this random
stranger.

Would any true Roman have ever willingly participated in such a
system? And what would they think of those who claim that a random
hodgepodge of strangers is actually a "family" and should be treated
as such? Would they accept this grotesque parody of a sacred institution?

The Modernists seek to preserve a freedom that we take for granted
in the civilized countries of the world; that an association freely
entered into (such as a gens) may be freely departed from. The
Reactionaries who oppose us claim to do so out of a desire to preserve
Roman tradition - but that is a fraud, for there was no Roman
tradition anything like our process of entering a gens.

What the Reactionaries want is role-playing, in which online
relationships are exaggerated into familial relationships - and treated,
legally, as such. What would an outsider think of a someone forty
years old in Germany speaking of a person thirty years old in the
United States (who he has never actually met) as his "pater"? The
outsider would conclude, rightfully, that he was engaged in some
sort of role-playing.

The Reactionaries crave power. This debate started last year when
I sought to ensure that all citizens would have the freedom to
escape an absent or malicious "pater"; that they would be able to
leave a sub-group of Nova Roma without having to resign citizenship
entirely; that a relationship voluntarily entered into could
be severed voluntarily by either power. The Reactionaries would
not allow this; they insisted that one side of a relationship must
hold all of the power, and that an inferior member of a so-called
"family" would have no more freedom to leave than a dog or a slave.
I find this sort of thinking abhorrent and believe it has no place
in the laws of Nova Roma or anywhere else.

The Modernists are trying to build a real Roman nation, not a game,
and not a fascist state where the first person to choose a famous
name has power over all others using it, forever.

Vale, Octavius.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12158 From: cassius622@aol.com Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Salvete,

My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy. The extra workload for
me has caused me to fall behind on all the NR forums. :(

As I've been catching up here, the "Compulsory Latin in NR" post by Quintus
Lanius Paulinus caught my eye as an *excellent* example of how difficult it can
be to communicate on these lists.

Quintus Lanius Paulinus was NOT advocating that there be compulsory Latin in
NR. He was not even making a joke about it.

In a nutshell, he was trying to say that 'forcing our new Citizens to deal
with NR politics is a lot like a requirement for us all to speak Latin would
be... many of us would find the task too confusing or too difficult, and would
drop out.' He was merely showing us an example of something equally as
difficult as NR politics can be.

His point is well taken - and deserves some consideration. Perhaps one of the
reasons we 'lose' some new citizens is that Nova Roman politics (and our
list) can get so difficult that it's easier to leave than sort it all out! (I'll
try to think about this some more, maybe something can be done.)

What I'm writing about here, however, is how *easily* his message was
confused. Everyone took his example of 'over-the-top' behavior seriously - and within
two or three replies the example was being referred to as "the proposed lex."
(!!!!!), with citizens stating they'd have to leave should it be voted in.

Quintus' post might perhaps have been clearer... but it wasn't *that* obtuse.
My guess is that people read the message quickly and never noticed the real
message he was trying to convey.

The 'moral' of the story? I dunno. But I will say that I personally will try
to pay more attention to the intent of messages from here on in. Almost any
situation can be mistaken as this one was... and that can make the list even
more confusing and difficult.

Valete,

Marcus Cassius Julianus






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12159 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > 1. A Family was defined so narrowly that my
> > Macronational Extended family woudn't qualify as a
> > Nova Roman Family. The narrow definition of a
> family
> > was ahistoric.
>
> The sweeping definition of family that you like to
> see (i.e., any
> random horde of people who know each other only
> through email) is
> equally ahistoric.
>
> > 2. Citizens within a Gens that wished to retain
> it's
> > structure were forced to opt in in rather than opt
> > out. Changes were being applied without a citizens
> > consent if he failed to take action.
>
> And what was this change that would be applied
> without the citizens'
> consent? That citizen would be given the freedom to
> leave the gens.
> Your faction insisted that citizens who failed to
> respond during an
> initial notification period would forevermore be
> bound to their
> current paterfamilias, even more tightly than
> before.

LSD: While you would cast those who failed to reply,
but who wished to retain thier status out with no
recourse other than an expensive, intrusive, and
sometimes impossible to obtain macronational adoption
process.

You also suported the Gens name lex, which also forced
citizens into intrusive Macronational legal
procedings.

Support of a measure that would deny real extended
families recognition under Nova Roman law, and 2
measures that entail forcing citizens into intrusive
and time consuming Macronational legal procedings
hardly qualifies you as as a champion of freedom.

Leaving a Gens could have been addresed in a Nova
Roman adoption law, yet you chose to grant this
freedom in a lex that stripped other freedoms from
Nova Roma's citizens.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12160 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Salve Marcus Cassius Julianus

All our prays go to you and your family and our hope that your Father's treatment is successful.



Pax

Tiberius Galerius Paulinus


----- Original Message -----
From: cassius622@...
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2003 12:08 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] The Compulsory Latin thread...


Salvete,

My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy. The extra workload for
me has caused me to fall behind on all the NR forums. :(

As I've been catching up here, the "Compulsory Latin in NR" post by Quintus
Lanius Paulinus caught my eye as an *excellent* example of how difficult it can
be to communicate on these lists.

Quintus Lanius Paulinus was NOT advocating that there be compulsory Latin in
NR. He was not even making a joke about it.

In a nutshell, he was trying to say that 'forcing our new Citizens to deal
with NR politics is a lot like a requirement for us all to speak Latin would
be... many of us would find the task too confusing or too difficult, and would
drop out.' He was merely showing us an example of something equally as
difficult as NR politics can be.

His point is well taken - and deserves some consideration. Perhaps one of the
reasons we 'lose' some new citizens is that Nova Roman politics (and our
list) can get so difficult that it's easier to leave than sort it all out! (I'll
try to think about this some more, maybe something can be done.)

What I'm writing about here, however, is how *easily* his message was
confused. Everyone took his example of 'over-the-top' behavior seriously - and within
two or three replies the example was being referred to as "the proposed lex."
(!!!!!), with citizens stating they'd have to leave should it be voted in.

Quintus' post might perhaps have been clearer... but it wasn't *that* obtuse.
My guess is that people read the message quickly and never noticed the real
message he was trying to convey.

The 'moral' of the story? I dunno. But I will say that I personally will try
to pay more attention to the intent of messages from here on in. Almost any
situation can be mistaken as this one was... and that can make the list even
more confusing and difficult.

Valete,

Marcus Cassius Julianus






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12161 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
That's prayers
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Gallagher
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2003 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] The Compulsory Latin thread...


Salve Marcus Cassius Julianus

All our prays go to you and your family and our hope that your Father's treatment is successful.



Pax

Tiberius Galerius Paulinus


----- Original Message -----
From: cassius622@...
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2003 12:08 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] The Compulsory Latin thread...


Salvete,

My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy. The extra workload for
me has caused me to fall behind on all the NR forums. :(

As I've been catching up here, the "Compulsory Latin in NR" post by Quintus
Lanius Paulinus caught my eye as an *excellent* example of how difficult it can
be to communicate on these lists.

Quintus Lanius Paulinus was NOT advocating that there be compulsory Latin in
NR. He was not even making a joke about it.

In a nutshell, he was trying to say that 'forcing our new Citizens to deal
with NR politics is a lot like a requirement for us all to speak Latin would
be... many of us would find the task too confusing or too difficult, and would
drop out.' He was merely showing us an example of something equally as
difficult as NR politics can be.

His point is well taken - and deserves some consideration. Perhaps one of the
reasons we 'lose' some new citizens is that Nova Roman politics (and our
list) can get so difficult that it's easier to leave than sort it all out! (I'll
try to think about this some more, maybe something can be done.)

What I'm writing about here, however, is how *easily* his message was
confused. Everyone took his example of 'over-the-top' behavior seriously - and within
two or three replies the example was being referred to as "the proposed lex."
(!!!!!), with citizens stating they'd have to leave should it be voted in.

Quintus' post might perhaps have been clearer... but it wasn't *that* obtuse.
My guess is that people read the message quickly and never noticed the real
message he was trying to convey.

The 'moral' of the story? I dunno. But I will say that I personally will try
to pay more attention to the intent of messages from here on in. Almost any
situation can be mistaken as this one was... and that can make the list even
more confusing and difficult.

Valete,

Marcus Cassius Julianus






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12162 From: Gnaeus Equitius Marinus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
My dear Marcus Cassius,

While racing through the accumulated messages, I noticed:

> My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
> has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy.

I wish him all success in overcoming the illness. And I hope that you
and yours are managing to get through this difficult time together.

It is, as always, a pleasure to see your wise words.

-- Marinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12163 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Honored Pontifex Maximus and Senator Cassius;

You may well be correct that the true nuance of the gentleman's mesage
may have been missed. Considering the large amount of argumentative
E-Mails flying around, I am not surprised. My comment on the subject
was based similarly on Senator Drusus' comments about NR Citizens and
thier skills and interests outside of NR. He said it much better, of
course, but the idea is there.

In regard to your comment regarding the amount of political argument
that crowds our Main List, you have identified a problem which has been
with us for some time now. However, on the occasions that others have
mentioned alternatives, they have been blasted by those who are some of
the biggest producers of such material, and those who are worried about
"freedom of speech" on the Main List. Well, we have "freedom of speech"
of a sort here, but the volume of political disagreement is choking the
list, and, I suspect, as in times past, is costing NR new citizens who
did not come here to get into these arguments.

Clearly something should be done. However, it is a minority of Citizens
who use the Main List to generate this kind of communication and as such
are the loudest to proclaim that the Main List should remain as it is.
The silent majority have little to say, in my view, because they clearly
recognize the penalty for an objection is a continuous diatribe that
would be unleashed against them by those who apparently have little else
to do. Therefore, it is easier to simply go elsewhere, as so many have
done, than to deal with the onslaught launched against any such idea to
"clean up" this communication highway, which is now dminated with
political traffic,

As a result of this "freedom of speech" we now seem to have developed
two distinct factions which have been named, and who seem destined to
become political parties as in the modern world. The Reconstuctionists
(Reactionaries) and the Modernists. Since both groups seem to have one
foot or the other firmly planted firmly in the others proposed areas,
such a "labeling" seems both strange and somewhat amusing. I can
already hear the cries of "Anti-Reconstructionists" directed against one
set of opponents, with similar accusations flung against thier opposite
number with equal ferocity. At least it would be amusing, if the end
result were not so predictable.

This micronation, I do not believe, was started with the idea of arguing
politics in a Modern Way. It was created for a very different reason,
but that reason seems to have gone astray in the fury of argument over
areas which seem to concern only a very few.

By all means Senator, give the situation some thought, it badly needs
some mature thoughts applied to it. But in doing so, beware those who
will decry with fierce energy anything but thier own narrow views.
Perhaps a simple application of the Roman Virtues by each poster to this
Main List, might be a screen through which a moderate and enjoyable
amount of communications could emerge.

Respectfully;

Marcus Minucius Audens

A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind follows fast, and fills the
white and rustling sail, and bends the gallant mast; and bends the
gallant mast my boys while like the eagle free, our good ship starts and
flies and leaves old England on our lee------Fair Winds and following
Seas!!!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12164 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
> LSD: While you would cast those who failed to reply, but who wished
> to retain thier status out with no recourse other than an expensive,
> intrusive, and sometimes impossible to obtain macronational adoption
> process.

The version that sought to equate NR families with actual families
would have still kept such persons as part of the Gens to which they
actually belonged; they could call the "paterfamilias" of that gens
"pater" or "grandpa" or whatever they wished. We were only removing
the coercive element of that relationship by removing the power that
one individual held over another.

The version backed by the Reactionaries would have made nonresponsive
people into chattels of their paterfamilias - the very people who
would be least likely to favor such a relationship, for their very
unresponsiveness demonstrates that they do not have a close
relationship with the so-called pater. With our version, only those
who explicitly chose to be chattels would have had that status.

> You also suported the Gens name lex, which also forced
> citizens into intrusive Macronational legal
> procedings.

I was wrong to do so. I hereby publicly apologize to Lucius Marius
and all other good people who were driven away by that unnecessary
and intrusive lex.

> Support of a measure that would deny real extended
> families recognition under Nova Roman law,

Wrong. These real extended families could be recognized as a gens, with
each household having its own paterfamilias, and none of these
patresfamilias being superior to the others.

> and 2 measures that entail forcing citizens into intrusive
> and time consuming Macronational legal procedings

They would be "forced" into such proceedings only if they wished to
place themselves irrevocably under the authority of another. Practically
speaking, who among us would be so stupid and contemptful of their own
rights to do such a thing?

[For those who were not aware of the debate last year: we are
speaking of a proposal to have within a gens familiae that corresponded
to actual, real-life familiae; being in the same gens as your
friends would be a simple matter of informing the Censores that you
wish to join that gens, but you would not be considered part of
a particular familias within that gens unless you were actually
part of the same real-life family; thus Sentator Sicinius speaks
here of adoptions.]

But that proposal is dead; it never got off the ground, and its
specifics are moot. I suspect that whatever gens reform we
eventually pass will have no such thing.

> hardly qualifies you as as a champion of freedom.

As a defender of a paterfamilias having "authority" over strangers,
your opinion of who is a champion of freedom means less than nothing
to me.

> Leaving a Gens could have been addresed in a Nova Roman adoption law,

It has, for now, been adequately addressed by edict of the Censores.
I'd like to see it become permanent, as a lex.

> yet you chose to grant this freedom in a lex that stripped other
> freedoms from Nova Roma's citizens.

What "freedom" did I try to strip from anyone? The "freedom" to be
irrevocably under the authority of another citizen? Does anyone
actually want that "freedom"? (Let them speak up now!)

I seek to grant all citizens the right to choose any gens and to
enter and leave it freely. I have never sought to deprive anyone
of any freedoms - except those who believe their "freedom" includes
the right to enslave another.

Vale, Octavius.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12165 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Cassius 622 and the ML
Salve Cassi,

First, let me express my sympathy for your father's critical health
situation and we'll all have him and your family in our prayers.



I read your post carefully and agree with your points. The way and
why I presented the posting you have figured 100%. (Audens saw it
immediately too!) This "over-the-counter top" presentation is my one
shot deal and that will be that; my previous post saying " not make a
habit" I rescind. People do not always read the posts in enough
detail and NR is not alone. I belong to another Roman "discussion"
group and over the last 2 weeks we discussed the movie "Druids" about
the battles of Caesar and Vercingetorix. The highlight of the
discussion was the battle of Alesia. To make a long story short I
went to the net and spent several hours looking up data regarding the
battle and posted it. From the comments of the list members I could
tell that only one person had actually read the posted historical
account. Another young person jumped into the post yesterday and
started a thread about the seige. I reposted; still the same argument
so I took out a segment which negated his argument and ground the
article right in his face. All this was done tactfully of course but
what I was saying was "wake up and smell the GD coffee boy!
Now "Druids" was a harmless discussion like is Exxon gas superior to
Shell? As you say Pontiff Cassius a more serious discussion like
serious political bills, NR policies etc. should be read and consider
in their entirety. In future, if I do not have time to review posts
on a contraversial subject I'll be sure to: 1) Ask the author of the
post to reafirm or review what he said or stay out of the post
entirely instead of jumping in on re # 5, 6 and so on.

Yours respectfully,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12166 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
SNIP
>
> The Reactionaries crave power. This debate started
> last year when
> I sought to ensure that all citizens would have the
> freedom to
> escape an absent or malicious "pater"; that they
> would be able to
> leave a sub-group of Nova Roma without having to
> resign citizenship
> entirely; that a relationship voluntarily entered
> into could
> be severed voluntarily by either power. The
> Reactionaries would
> not allow this; they insisted that one side of a
> relationship must
> hold all of the power, and that an inferior member
> of a so-called
> "family" would have no more freedom to leave than a
> dog or a slave.
> I find this sort of thinking abhorrent and believe
> it has no place
> in the laws of Nova Roma or anywhere else.
>

So where are all the citizens held in thrall by a
"malicious" pater?

You took a sitaution that dosen't exist and used it as
an excuse to promulgate a lex that would deprive
citizens of the right to enter into an association
that they wanted to enter of thier own free will
unless they endured an intrusive Macronational legal
process.

Many members of Gens Cornelia beleav that your agenda
was to use the "malicious" pater strawman as an excuse
to break up thier Gens for no other purpose than an
attempt to weaken thier Pater politically.

I Had thought this was a misunderstanding, but the
tone of your latest post has me wondering if they
accessed the situation more accuratly than I did.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12167 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could Hav
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> 1. A Family was defined so narrowly that my Macronational Extended
> family woudn't qualify as a Nova Roman Family. The narrow
> definition of a family was ahistoric.

Perhaps you are right in that the definition of a family could be
extended to include close relatives. I think that mostly everyone who
supports gens reform would be willing to accept that compromise.

> 2. Citizens within a Gens that wished to retain it's structure were
> forced to opt in in rather than opt out. Changes were being applied
> without a citizens consent if he failed to take action. This should
> never happen, a change in status should only come on the request of
> the citizen. This was a later version. Earlier versions would have
> required a Macronational adpotion, something that is every bit
> intrusive as the Gender Lex.

The truth is that NOT requiring the citizens' consent does seem far
more coercitive to me than the alternative, senator. Very few people
find it too intrusive to be asked what they want. It seems that
forcing someone who has not expressed his will to enter a closer
relationship with someone else without their consent is not fair.

> 3. New citizens would be banned from joining an existing ahistoric
> Gens even if they wished to do so. The sugestion was made that they
> undergo a Macronational Adoption process, again a process as
> intrusive as anything in the Gender lex.

This is not true, senator. Nobody spoke about a macronational
adoption process; we talked about a Traditional Roman adoption
process (traditional like in "traditionalist").
Roman families are a serious affair, and not some role playing game.
If someone wanted to join someone else's familia without being a
blood relative, then he should clearly understand what the process
entails in religious and legal terms within Nova Roma. Anything less
is *not* Roman enough for Nova Roma (or traditional enough, if you
prefer).

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12168 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
> So where are all the citizens held in thrall by a
> "malicious" pater?

Citizens left Nova Roma several years ago for this very reason, an
incident I learned about only shortly before last year's debate
because their former paterfamilias had mentioned it on a mailing
list.

Right now, one citizen is in the process of switching gentes; his
current paterfamilias has neither consented nor challenged it.

> You took a sitaution that dosen't exist

It happened in the past. It happened in the future.

As you know, I work as a programmer. Any programmer who doesn't
anticipate and deal with exceptions is considered grossly incompentent.
Cleaning up their messes afterwards is much harder than doing it right
the first time.

> and used it as an excuse to promulgate a lex that would deprive
> citizens of the right to enter into an association that they wanted
> to enter of thier own free will unless they endured an intrusive
> Macronational legal process.

The Reactionaries sought to deprive citizens of the right to leave
and association of their own free will.

I sought to fix this; your faction then then complained that this was
non-historical. We then tried to create a historical solution (which
would recognize *real* adoptions) but you didn't like that any better -
because you want dominion over the inferiors members of your gens.

You seem to think that we expected people to go through real-world
adoption proceedings (the "intrusive process" you are so obsessed about)
in order to become a member of another familias. Of course not.
Why would anyone be so foolish as to actually be adopted by someone
just to make a slight change to their legal status in NR?

We sought to make a Gens an organization into which anyone could enter
or leave freely. A Familias within that gens would not be something
which one seeks entry lightly - for they would just be recognition of
actual families in real life.

> Many members of Gens Cornelia beleav that your agenda
> was to use the "malicious" pater strawman as an excuse
> to break up thier Gens for no other purpose than an
> attempt to weaken thier Pater politically.

Break it up, how? They'd all *still* be members of Gens Cornelia under
the new system! They could still call Senator Sulla "pater" or "daddy"
or "Bob" or whatever term was agreeable to all involved. This "break-up"
existed only in your imagination.

As for what they "believed", that's not our fault at all. I and my
allies had no access to that Gens' private mailing list, and those
Cornelii who were learning of the debate in the Senate only from
what was repeated on that list were almost certainly not getting both
sides of the story. If some of them have become inactive because of
that debate, then I regret that they left because of a misperception.

Vale, Octavius.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12169 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: EXTRA EXTRA BREAKING NEWS IN NOVA ROMA
EXTRA EXTRA BREAKING NEWS IN NOVA ROMA


EXCUSIVE TO THE EAGLE


FACTIONS ARE FOUND IN NOVA ROMA


ARCHAEOLOGIST, POLITICAL SCIENTISTS AND OTHER EXPERTS ARE BAFFLED NOT THAT FACTIONS EXIST IN NOVA ROMA BUT THAT ANYBODY WOULD THINK THAT NOVA ROMA WAS IMMUNIZED FROM THEM.


FACTION AND COMPETITION ( From

Faction and competition form a theme which runs throughout the study of the late republican period, and is something which students should consider when looking at the preceding topics in the Special Topic for Roman history.

Roman aristocratic society was a highly competitive one - individual achievement was the name of the game.

Gloria was an end in itself; but, more than this, only through individual achievement could a family be ennobled or maintain its nobility.

Achievement could only be registered through the winning of high office, the Latin word for which was honos or honor.

In any one year, twenty 30-year olds (or men in their early 30s) could secure election to the quaestorship (the bottom rung on the cursus honorum).

Each would view his fellows with a wary eye.

Only half of them (at most) could expect to win a praetorship ten years later at the minimum age, and only two of this group might go on to a consulship.

It follows that Roman politics in the late republic involved a steeply narrowing pyramid of office and was essentially a matter of individual rivalry and competition.

Such calculations governed the thinking of every Roman aristocrat who aimed at pursuing a public political career.

To succeed, politicians needed friends; allies might be a more appropriate word.

Factions were formed. "Between good men (boni) it is called amicitia, between bad men (mali), a factio", said Sallust (The Jugurthine War, 31.15).

In other words, one's amici ('friends') were, naturally, good men (boni), and one's inimici ('enemies') would be called bad men (mali or improbi).

This essential element of Roman political life is covered by Beryl Rawson in her book on The Politics of Friendship; P.A. Brunt, in his article 'Amicitia' in the Late Roman Republic' (= R. Seager (ed.), The Crisis of the Roman Republic, pp. 199-218), goes further and suggests that there was real friendship between some Roman political figures.

But the essential obverse of amicitia was inimicitia, and in an aristocratic political society as competitive as this one, enmity was more of the essence than friendship. (Boy are we Roman)

Consider the following as examples of rivalries and political vendettas:

Crassus and Pompey: Plutarch, Pompey, 23, 43; Crassus, 6-7, 12; cf. Suetonius, Life of Caesar, 19.

Caesar and Bibulus: Suetonius, Life of Caesar, 10, 19, 20.

Cicero and Clodius: Plutarch, Cicero, 29, 30, 33, 34.

Caesar and Cato: Sallust, The Conspiracy of Catiline, 50-54.



READING

Prescribed and reference books

L.R. Taylor, Party Politics in the Age of Caesar, consult index under 'Factio', 'Friendship' and 'Inimici'.

Other reading

W.K. Lacey, 'Clodius and Cicero: A Question of Dignitas', Antichthon 8 (1974), 85-92

Writing on Roman history Barbara F. McManus, The College of New Rochelle

NOTES ON ROMAN POLITICS
Social Classes:
Rome was a highly hierarchical and class-conscious society, but there was the possibility of mobility between classes because by the second century BCE class was no longer determined solely by birth. The classes described below superseded the old patrician/plebeian distinction, though certain elements of dress were still reserved for patricians.

a.. Senatorial class: (basis was political), composed of all who served in the Senate, and by extension, their families, though only men actually serving in the Senate could wear the tunic with broad stripes (laticlavi). This class was dominated by the nobles (nobles), families that had had at least one consul among their members. The first man in his family to be elected consul, thus qualifying his family for noble status, was called a "new man" (novus homo).
b.. Equestrian class (equites): (basis was economic), composed of families that possessed and maintained a specified minimum amount of wealth (landed property worth at least 400,000 sesterces) but were not senators. Equestrians wore the tunic with narrow stripes (angusti clavi).
c.. Commons, "the people": all other freeborn Roman citizens. The special mark of dress for males was the toga.
d.. Freedpeople (liberti): men and women who had been slaves but had bought their freedom or been manumitted. They were not fully free because they had various restrictions on their rights and owed certain duties to their former masters, but they could become citizens if their masters had been citizens. The next generation, their freeborn children, became full citizens and could even be equestrians if rich enough. Freedpeople had low social status but might become quite wealthy. They had no special distinction of dress.
e.. Slaves: system of chattel slavery where human beings were born into slavery or sold into slavery through war or piracy. Slaves were the property of their owners by law, but by custom some slaves (especially urban, domestic slaves) might be allowed their own savings (peculium) with which they might later buy their freedom, or their masters could manumit them, so some mobility into the previous class was possible. Roman slavery was not racially based.
Nature of Roman Politics:
The conduct of political affairs was heavily dominated by the senatorial class, particularly by a small number of noble families. The upper classes generally followed one of two informal political factions:

a.. Populares ("the party of the people"): power base was the Assembly of the Tribes and the tribunes. Though also composed of Senators and nobles, this faction appealed to the interests of the commons. Today, we might call this faction "left-wing."
b.. Optimates ("the party of the best men" or of the aristocrats): power base was the Senate. This faction promoted conservative policies that supported the interests of the wealthy and the old noble families. Today, we might call this faction "right-wing."
This is how the historian Sallust (mid-first century BCE) described the two political factions during his lifetime:

After the restoration of the power of the tribunes in the consulship of Pompey and Crassus, this very important office was obtained by certain men whose youth intensified their natural aggressiveness. These tribunes began to rouse the mob by inveighing against the Senate, and then inflamed popular passion still further by handing out bribes and promises, whereby they won renown and influence for themselves. They were strenuously opposed by most of the nobility, who posed as defenders of the Senate but were really concerned to maintain their own privileged position. The whole truth-to put it in a word-is that although all disturbers of the peace in this period put forward specious pretexts, claiming either to be protecting the rights of the people or to be strengthening the authority of the Senate, this was mere pretence: in reality, every one of them was fighting for his personal aggrandizement. Lacking all self-restraint, they stuck at nothing to gain their ends, and both sides made ruthless use of any successes they won. (Sallust Bellum Catilinae 38, translated by S. A. Handford [Penguin Classics, 1963], 204-205)
Campaigning: Personal wealth was essential for political office, since no salaries were paid and the process of campaigning was very expensive; showmanship was essential. See an important setting for Roman politics and find out more about campaigning by visiting the Rostra in VRoma via the web gateway (be sure to click on the capsa and read what's inside) or the anonymous browser (this mode will not allow you to read the scrolls in the capsa).

a.. A candidate for office wore an artificially whitened toga and so was candidatus ("made shining white").
b.. The social institution of patronage (clientela) was essential in politics, and one of the key duties of clients was to accompany their patron on official business and all kinds of campaigning, and of course to vote with him on all issues.
c.. Powerful families supported each other through informal alliances (amicitia) often cemented through arranged marriages; the functioning of government was greatly influenced by "backroom politics."
d.. During the last century of the Republic, bribery was not at all uncommon:
a.. indirect: provision of free grain, free entertainment (baths, shows, chariot races and gladiatorial games), even huge outdoor banquets
b.. direct: actually paying off officials or giving the commoners money directly in return for votes
e.. During this same period, intimidation was also a campaign strategy. Candidates sometimes incited riots, or hired thugs or gladiators to rough people up. Those who were generals occasionally used the threat of their loyal soldiers to pressure the state.
f.. Commoners' only way to influence politics was through their sheer numbers-by votes, and especially by riots.
Women: Women were excluded by law from any political role; they could not vote or hold office. Upper-class women, however, had the possibility of behind-the-scenes influence, because they could possess and control wealth, could move about in public freely without losing respectability, and could represent their birth families in various ways, especially by cementing family alliances through marriage.

Sources
Barbara F. McManus, The College of New Rochelle
bmcmanus@...

Salve Romans

I hate to say this but I think it may be time to put Political discussions on another Nova Roma List and leave the main list for other purposes .

If we lose any citizens over politics then shame on us.



Vale



Tiberius Galerius Paulinus









[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12170 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
> It happened in the past. It happened in the future.

(danger! inappropriate verb usage!)

This should have been "It is likely to happen in the future".

And it will. The laws are the same, the personalities are the same
now as they were in. Another such incident is inevitable.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12171 From: jmath669642reng@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Earthwatch
In expansion on the notes that I firnishd earlier regarding archaeology
teams the 2003 Earthwatch Institute Catalog lists the following areas of
Roman interest:

--Roman Fort on Tyne, England;

--Diving Greek Ruins, Campania, Italy (Extensive Early Roman Structures
including the submerged city of Baia);

--Roman Fort on the Danube, Romania;

--Food and Drink in Ancient Pompeii, Italy;

--Medicinal Plants of Antiquity,Italy

See specifics at:

www.earthwatch.org

Respectfully;

Marcus Minucius Audens

Fair Winds and Following Seas!!!


http://community.webtv.net/jmath669642reng/NovaRomaMilitary
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12172 From: Caeso Fabius Quintilianus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Salve Illustrus Pater Patriae!

I will include You and your family in my prayers and pray that your
father will overcome his illness!

>Salvete,
>
>My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
>has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy. The extra
>workload for
>me has caused me to fall behind on all the NR forums. :(

--

Vale

Caeso Fabius Quintilianus
Senior Consul et Senator
Propraetor Thules
Sodalitas Egressus Beneficarius et Praefectus Provincia Thules
Civis Romanus sum
************************************************
Cohors Consulis CFQ
http://www.insulaumbra.com/cohors_consulis_cfq/
************************************************
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
"I'll either find a way or make one"
************************************************
Dignitas, Iustitia, Fidelitas et Pietas
Dignity, Justice, Loyalty and Dutifulness
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12173 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al I Caudius
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, Marcus Octavius Germanicus
<hucke@c...> wrote:
>
> > It happened in the past. It happened in the future.
>
> (danger! inappropriate verb usage!)
>
> This should have been "It is likely to happen in the future".
>
> And it will. The laws are the same, the personalities are the same
> now as they were in. Another such incident is inevitable.
>
> --
> Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
> Censor, Consular, Citizen.
> http://cynico.net/~hucke/

Salvete Marce et omnes,


Now with this idea I am serious! Should it not be required for all
Nova Roman citizens to watch miniseries I Claudius? There one gets a
terrific idea about the politics, in - fighting and family /
political posturing in Ancient Rome, particularily the Julian -
Claudian dynasty. It is well done and in my Marco nation work
environment I have used so many quotes from that series which work as
well today as they did then. I own a VHS version but the Hispania
list says its available on DVD now. Specialty video stores rent the
series as well.

Enjoy!

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12174 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
SNIP
>
> > Support of a measure that would deny real extended
> > families recognition under Nova Roman law,
>
> Wrong. These real extended families could be
> recognized as a gens, with
> each household having its own paterfamilias, and
> none of these
> patresfamilias being superior to the others.
>
Having multiple Paters in an extended family is as
ahistoric as our current system, a substitution of one
ahistoric element for another.

Many aspects of the Paters ancient powers are not
fesible under current Macronational laws. A Pater that
put a member of family to death would be prosucated
under Macronational law, as would a Pater that took
over earnings or properity that belonged to an adult
son. Even if it was desirable (Which I DON'T think it
is) to revive these aspects of the Paterfamilis it
would be illegal to do so.

In the modern world the Paterfamilis will mainly be an
honorific postion. Nothing should be done that would
dilute this aspect of the postion.

In Roma as long as your Pater remained alive, he
remained your Pater unless he emancipated you. You
couldn't just wake up one morning and say, "Hey I'll
become a Paterfamilis today"

The postion of Paterfamilis should be retained as a
postion that has the honors of antiquita without the
powers that modern Macronational laws forbid to it.

In Nova Roma this would take the form that as long as
a Paterfamilis remained alive he would remain the
titular head of the family, even though he wouldn't
have powers over adult heads of households within his
family. The postion would be that of the honored elder
who served as spokesman for the family as a unit (but
not for indiviuals within the family) and serve as
person who performed rites on behalf of the family.
The Adult children would become Paters in thier own
right apon the death of thier Pater. This would mean
if my Grandfather was my Paterfamilis apon his death
my Father would become my Paterfamils even though I
was an adult. My Uncle would become the Paterfamilis
of my cousin.

IMHO the most important aspects of the Paterfamilis
are his postion as the honored elder in family and his
postion as the family priest. These should be
maintained at all costs.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12175 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
--- cassius622@... wrote:
> Salvete,
>
> My father, (the owner of my family business), has
> advanced lung cancer, and
> has been out of commission while receiving
> chemotherapy. The extra workload for
> me has caused me to fall behind on all the NR
> forums. :(
>

Having faced a similar situation last year I know what
you are going through. My prayers are with you and
your family.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12176 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> In the modern world the Paterfamilis will mainly be an
> honorific postion. Nothing should be done that would
> dilute this aspect of the postion.

There's nothing to prevent the independent familiae under the
improved gens system from electing a "Senior Paterfamilias",
or "Grand Pater" or whatever; it would be an honorific title.

> In Roma as long as your Pater remained alive, he
> remained your Pater unless he emancipated you. You
> couldn't just wake up one morning and say, "Hey I'll
> become a Paterfamilis today"

In Roma citizens did not choose their paterfamilias from a list of
names of citizens thousands of miles away.

> The postion of Paterfamilis should be retained as a
> postion that has the honors of antiquita without the
> powers that modern Macronational laws forbid to it.

Or the power to restrict another citizen from leaving the gens.

> IMHO the most important aspects of the Paterfamilis
> are his postion as the honored elder in family and his
> postion as the family priest. These should be
> maintained at all costs.

Fine with me.

At the beginning of the argument last year, all I wanted was to stop
patresfamilias from preventing citizens from switching gentes. The
Reactionary faction was opposed to this - and that's what prompted
the debate about a complete overhaul of the system, and removing all
of its ahistorical elements by clearly differentiating familiae
and gentes.

Whether we'll just patch the minor problems with the current system
or rebuild it completely is up to this year's Consuls.

Vale, Octavius.
--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12177 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Salvete Diana Moravia omnesque

> Thank you Junior Consul.

You're quite welcome.

> After my reply to Lucius Equitius, I saw your post with the boni_nr link. I
> am sure that I am not the only one who was curious to learn more about a
> faction that is not afraid to call themselves one and that is publicly
> listed on yahoogroups.

ROFL And one to which you are apparently sympathetic, considering the
spin you've chosen to put on it. (I assume you're using your
dictionary's definition of faction.)

I'll again point out that the Boni have chosen not to announce their
membership. Q Fabius "outed" himself on the Back Alley in what could
easily have been a slip of the keyboard. This seems to me to be roughly
equivalent to refusing to accept the label of faction. After all, which
is better, "Here we are, but we're not a faction", or "We're a faction,
but we won't tell you who we are"?

In any case, from what I have seen, I don't think it's accurate to call
the entirety of my collega's Cohors Consularis a faction. The term may
apply--depending upon which dictionary one wishes to consult--to some
subset of that group, but not to the whole of it.

Valete
T Labienus Fortunatus
--
"magna pars consilii in tempore"
- Seneca
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12178 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
Salvete Deci Iuni omnesque

I generally agreed with much that you said. However, I do not believe
that the so-called Traditionalists (Reactionaries, Reconstructionists,
Fascists, What-Have-Yous) are as traditionalist as they claim. Nor do I
believe that the so-called Modernists (Liberals, Revivalists, Commies,
What-Have-Yous) are as dedicated to modernity as they seem to be
portrayed. Indeed, the rhetoric and goals of the two camps seem
relatively similar to me when talking privately to members of both
sides, and there are certainly members of both who are truly dedicated
to making Nova Roma work.

> The so-called modernist faction has recently put forward a
> proposal designed to encourage block voting and allow the
> political dominance of their faction.

I do not believe that the current comitial reform proposal was put forth
with the purpose of allowing a particular faction to dominate Nova Roman
politics. I believe it was done with an eye toward historical practice
and eliminating the possibility of endless rounds of run-off elections.
Note that the race for praetor *has* involved run-off elections in the
past, so the argument that the Comitia Centuriata has not experienced
this problem is patently false.

> Understandable, that is politics. However, the proposal by Iulius
> Scaurus has brought back to mind the importance of emulating the
> ancients rather than designing modern systems to fit our needs
> (preventing factional dominance or allowing it).

Note that the "Iulian proposal" also allows for block voting and
therefore contains the possibility of allowing one faction to dominate
Nova Roman politics. It has been argued that sequential voting will
ameliorate this, which the historical record has also proven to be
patently false.

Valete
T Labienus Fortunatus
--
"magna pars consilii in tempore"
- Seneca
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12179 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
The postion of Paterfamilis has religous connotations.
Honoring and respecting living ancesters is just as
important as honoring those who have crossed the styx.

Destroying this aspect of Roman culture may not matter
to the Radical faction, but it is very important to
those of us who haven't lost sight of Roma.

I Have sugested something that preserves the honors of
the Paterfamilis in a way that is consistant with your
claimed goal of freeing a citizen from the Pater's
control over him. The Pater would have no control,
just an honary postion that is in keeping with the
traditions of the Romans. That isn't good enough for
you. You demand something that destroies everything
about the postion,leaving only an empty title.


--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > In the modern world the Paterfamilis will mainly
> be an
> > honorific postion. Nothing should be done that
> would
> > dilute this aspect of the postion.
>
> There's nothing to prevent the independent familiae
> under the
> improved gens system from electing a "Senior
> Paterfamilias",
> or "Grand Pater" or whatever; it would be an
> honorific title.
>
> > In Roma as long as your Pater remained alive, he
> > remained your Pater unless he emancipated you. You
> > couldn't just wake up one morning and say, "Hey
> I'll
> > become a Paterfamilis today"
>
> In Roma citizens did not choose their paterfamilias
> from a list of
> names of citizens thousands of miles away.
>
> > The postion of Paterfamilis should be retained as
> a
> > postion that has the honors of antiquita without
> the
> > powers that modern Macronational laws forbid to
> it.
>
> Or the power to restrict another citizen from
> leaving the gens.
>
> > IMHO the most important aspects of the
> Paterfamilis
> > are his postion as the honored elder in family and
> his
> > postion as the family priest. These should be
> > maintained at all costs.
>
> Fine with me.
>
> At the beginning of the argument last year, all I
> wanted was to stop
> patresfamilias from preventing citizens from
> switching gentes. The
> Reactionary faction was opposed to this - and that's
> what prompted
> the debate about a complete overhaul of the system,
> and removing all
> of its ahistorical elements by clearly
> differentiating familiae
> and gentes.
>
> Whether we'll just patch the minor problems with the
> current system
> or rebuild it completely is up to this year's
> Consuls.
>
> Vale, Octavius.
> --
> Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
> Censor, Consular, Citizen.
> http://cynico.net/~hucke/
>
>


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12180 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> The postion of Paterfamilis has religous connotations.

Yes, even though we allowed it to be held by nonpractitioners.

> Destroying this aspect of Roman culture may not matter
> to the Radical faction, but it is very important to
> those of us who haven't lost sight of Roma.

It's just as important to those of who have not lost sight of Freedom.

> That isn't good enough for
> you. You demand something that destroies everything
> about the postion,leaving only an empty title.

WHAT, precisely, am I demanding?

I have demanded only that citizens can freely leave a gens. How
does this "destroy everything" about the title?

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12181 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > The postion of Paterfamilis has religous
> connotations.
>
> Yes, even though we allowed it to be held by
> nonpractitioners.
>
> > Destroying this aspect of Roman culture may not
> matter
> > to the Radical faction, but it is very important
> to
> > those of us who haven't lost sight of Roma.
>
> It's just as important to those of who have not lost
> sight of Freedom.

So will your next assault on tradition be a campaign
to give anyone who wants it the freedom to become a
Patrician?

>
> > That isn't good enough for
> > you. You demand something that destroies
> everything
> > about the postion,leaving only an empty title.
>
> WHAT, precisely, am I demanding?

That anyone who wants the honors and duties of a
Paterfamilis can assume them, qualified or not.
>
> I have demanded only that citizens can freely leave
> a gens. How
> does this "destroy everything" about the title?
>

Read my sugestion again. It plainly states that the
Paterfamilis would have no control over adult heads of
households in his family (something he can't exercise
under Macronational laws anyway). How can a person who
holds a honorific postion with no powers over an adult
prevent that adult from leaving to join another family
(provided that they wanted him)?


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12182 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> > It's just as important to those of who have not lost
> > sight of Freedom.
>
> So will your next assault on tradition be a campaign
> to give anyone who wants it the freedom to become a
> Patrician?

Everyone has that *now*, and it's not my doing.

> > > That isn't good enough for you. You demand something that destroies
> > everything about the postion,leaving only an empty title.
> >
> > WHAT, precisely, am I demanding?
>
> That anyone who wants the honors and duties of a
> Paterfamilis can assume them, qualified or not.

How does it "destroy" anything to have more people performing the
duties of a paterfamilias?

Are these new patresfamilas somehow less qualified than those who
have the title now? I wasn't aware that there had ben an entrance
examination when the current patresfamilias gained that title.

Are current patresfamilias more intelligent or pious than the
new ones who could potentially be created if we switch to more
historical system?

> How can a person who holds a honorific postion with no powers over
> an adult prevent that adult from leaving to join another family
> (provided that they wanted him)?

If you believe that to be the case, then why did you oppose my
attempt to guarantee that right by law?

Before there was any discussion of a complete overhaul of the gens
system, I sought simply to preserve the rights of adult citizens
to switch gentes without interference. You and the rest of your
faction were vehemently against it; and we countered your
accusations of being ahistorical with a proposal for a truly
historical system, which you hated even more.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12183 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > > It's just as important to those of who have not
> lost
> > > sight of Freedom.
> >
> > So will your next assault on tradition be a
> campaign
> > to give anyone who wants it the freedom to become
> a
> > Patrician?
>
> Everyone has that *now*, and it's not my doing.

LSD: Oh Goody! Every one that wants to become a
Patracian write the Censor so he can record your new
status in the Album Gentium.

> Before there was any discussion of a complete
> overhaul of the gens
> system, I sought simply to preserve the rights of
> adult citizens
> to switch gentes without interference. You and the
> rest of your
> faction were vehemently against it; and we countered
> your
> accusations of being ahistorical with a proposal for
> a truly
> historical system, which you hated even more.

LSD: If your system was "truly historical" then a
citizen wouldn't be able to switch Gens at all, unless
he had the permission of his paterfamilis to be
formally adopted into the new family. Your alledged
reason for changing the law is ahistoric, and no lex
that contains it can ever be "truly historical".

The proposal was more historic than the present system
in some areas, less in others.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12184 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> LSD: Oh Goody! Every one that wants to become a
> Patracian write the Censor so he can record your new
> status in the Album Gentium.

You'll have to find a patrician gens that will take you.

> LSD: If your system was "truly historical" then a
> citizen wouldn't be able to switch Gens at all, unless
> he had the permission of his paterfamilis to be
> formally adopted into the new family.

In a truly historical system, that paterfamilias would be someone
who that citizen had actually met and had a strong bond to - not
just someone role-playing the part.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12185 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
>
SNIP
>
> This is not true, senator. Nobody spoke about a
> macronational
> adoption process; we talked about a Traditional
> Roman adoption
> process (traditional like in "traditionalist").
> Roman families are a serious affair, and not some
> role playing game.
> If someone wanted to join someone else's familia
> without being a
> blood relative, then he should clearly understand
> what the process
> entails in religious and legal terms within Nova
> Roma. Anything less
> is *not* Roman enough for Nova Roma (or traditional
> enough, if you
> prefer).

The Author of the legaslation is claiming it's purpose
was to allow citizens to freely switch Gens. You are
claiming that traditional Roman adoption procedures
are needed.

That is a contradiction. Roman adoption procedures
required the consent of a Paterfamilis when a filis
was being adopted into another Gens/family.

Requiring Adoption negates the freedom to hop from one
Gens to another.

So which will it be? The freedom to be an Octavian
today, a Julian tomorrow, and a Cornelian next week,
or a historic Roman adoption process?



=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12186 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Modernist and Traditonalist Factions (was Re: Would have, Could
> The Author of the legaslation is claiming it's purpose
> was to allow citizens to freely switch Gens. You are
> claiming that traditional Roman adoption procedures
> are needed.
>
> That is a contradiction. Roman adoption procedures
> required the consent of a Paterfamilis when a filis
> was being adopted into another Gens/family.

Are you being intentionally obtuse?

You know very well that there was more than one proposal last year.

The first (mine) was about the freedom to leave a gens - nothing more.

The second was a proposal for a massive reform, which established
familiae within gentes - and it was that later proposal (of which I
was not the author - Senator Cassius was) which had more traditional
adoption procedures.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12187 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > LSD: Oh Goody! Every one that wants to become a
> > Patracian write the Censor so he can record your
> new
> > status in the Album Gentium.
>
> You'll have to find a patrician gens that will take
> you.
>
Dosen't that interfer with someone's "freedom" to be a
Patrician? Allowing a Paterfamilis to interfere with
that "freedom"?

> > LSD: If your system was "truly historical" then a
> > citizen wouldn't be able to switch Gens at all,
> unless
> > he had the permission of his paterfamilis to be
> > formally adopted into the new family.
>
> In a truly historical system, that paterfamilias
> would be someone
> who that citizen had actually met and had a strong
> bond to - not
> just someone role-playing the part.
>

No they wouldn't but the "freedom" that "nessitates"
Gens reform can never be part of a truely historic
system.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12188 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> Dosen't that interfer with someone's "freedom" to be a
> Patrician? Allowing a Paterfamilis to interfere with
> that "freedom"?

A choice to form a relationship must be acceptable to both
parties. A choice to dissolve a relationship need be acceptable
only to one.

Consider marriage: both parties must agree to get married, but if
either wishes to depart, they may obtain a divorse without the
consent of the other.


--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12189 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > Dosen't that interfer with someone's "freedom" to
> be a
> > Patrician? Allowing a Paterfamilis to interfere
> with
> > that "freedom"?
>
> A choice to form a relationship must be acceptable
> to both
> parties. A choice to dissolve a relationship need
> be acceptable
> only to one.
>
> Consider marriage: both parties must agree to get
> married, but if
> either wishes to depart, they may obtain a divorse
> without the
> consent of the other.
>

I'm not talking about forming an association. I'm
talking about the "freedom" to assume the postion of
Patrician regardless of meeting the qualification of
belonging to the right family. Surely citizens have as
much "right" to assume the title of Patrician as that
of Paterfamilis without worrying about any ancient
traditions that might stand between them and thier
whim.



=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12190 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> I'm not talking about forming an association. I'm
> talking about the "freedom" to assume the postion of
> Patrician regardless of meeting the qualification of
> belonging to the right family.

If Plebeian citizens were somehow being oppressed or discriminated
against, and if membership in a patrician gens were no so trivially
easy to obtain, I might support that. However, such a compelling
need has never been demonstrated.

> Surely citizens have as
> much "right" to assume the title of Patrician as that
> of Paterfamilis without worrying about any ancient
> traditions that might stand between them and thier whim.

Citizens have the right to be out from under the thumb of a
so-called "pater" that they despise.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12191 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
A. Apollonius Cordus to Praetor, Senator & Consular
Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus and all citizens and
peregrines, greetings.

Sir, I want to assure you at the outset that I have
great respect for you, and take your words seriously.
I think understanding this will help you to understand
why I must respond to your message as I do.

I shall not engage you in conversation about the
Iulius Scaurus' outlined electoral system: I have
written at great length about it recently, and though
evidently you have not yet read my criticisms of it
(for if you had I would be at a loss to understand how
you can continue to assert its superiority), I trust
that should you ever wish to know what is wrong with
it, you will look up the message in the archives. It
is entitled 'On the Iulian system', or something
similar.

What I wish to respond to is the following:

> The so-called modernist faction has recently put
> forward a proposal designed to encourage
> block voting and allow the political dominance of
> their faction.

I am more profoundly insulted by this sentence than I
have ever been before in this Forum. It combines two
separate assertions which are both false and
defamatory.

First, you are asserting that the 'faction' that has
proposed the Fabian electoral system is the same group
as that which has been called the 'modernist faction'.
Now, we have had a discussion on this list about
whether it is legitimate to identify the Senior
Consul's staff as a faction, and I have accepted that
it is in its essentials a factually accurate, though
disparaging, description. This faction, if you wish to
call it that, is defined by a very clear criterion:
anyone employed by the Senior Consul as an assistant
or scribe is a member, anyone not so employed is not.

I have also in the last few days seen various messages
on this list discussing a 'modernist faction',
particularly in relation to last year's 'gens reform'
debate. I have not participated in this discussion,
since that particular issue arose before I became a
citizen and since I do not consider myself a member of
any faction or group which defines itself by a common
policy on the extent to which historical accuracy is
desirable in Nova Roma. I have never discussed such a
policy with any other citizen in any detail, nor have
I yet met a citizen whose ideas on that question
appear to be wholly in line with mine. My own ideas on
the question are not, indeed, precisely formulated. I
am not a member of a modernist or a traditionalist
faction.

The draft of the lex Fabia was prepared and published
by the Senior Consul with the help of his staff,
including myself. It was nothing to do with any
'modernist faction' as far as I know. Members of a
'modernist faction' may find it easier to support than
members of a 'traditionalist' faction would because it
sacrifices a certain amount of historical accuracy for
the benefit of fairness, accuracy and efficiency. That
it was drafted or proposed by any 'modernist faction'
is, however, utterly false.

Secondly and even more outrageously you assert that
the system was "designed to encourage block voting and
allow the political dominance of their faction."
Almost every word of this is unfounded and malicious.
The system was designed to put an end to the need for
run-off elections, to make the electoral system more
historical, and to make it produce a more accurate
reflection of the will of the electorate. Regardless
of whether you believe that it does these things,
these were the purposes for which it was designed, and
if you say otherwise then you are calling me a liar.

The system does not encourage block voting. In fact,
as Iulius Scaurus has pointed out on this very list,
it has if anything a tendency to encourage the
formation of smaller and smaller political groups and
alliances. It is designed specifically to free voters
from the fear that to vote for a candidate who is not
popular will be a waste of a vote: what it encourages
is that voters vote for the candidates they genuinely
support, whereas other electoral systems encourage
voters to vote for one or other of the two largest
parties or factions in their political system.

Similarly, the system does not make the dominance of
any particular faction or group more likely. It
produces a more accurate reflection of the will of the
electorate than does any other system which has been
used or suggested in Nova Roma to date, which means
that if the voters wish a given faction to dominate,
it will, and if they do not so wish, it will not.

That the Fabian system encourages block voting and
would lead to the dominance of a given faction is a
statement that has been made by various individuals on
this list recently. Never has a single piece of
evidence been produced to back it up. Never has a
single piece of evidence been produced to disprove
that, on the contrary, the system is fair and
even-handed.

But you may make as many false and unsubstantiated
statements about the Fabian system as you please
without causing me any offence. What offends me deeply
is that you assert that the Consul and his staff
designed the system with the specific intent to
suppress the will of the voters and to perpetuate
their hold on power. This is not just very serious
libel (no need to telephone your solicitor, Senator, I
am not going to sue you) but amounts to an accusation
of treason and tyranny. How you dare to utter it in
public I cannot conceive.

Out of respect for your integrity and for your
distinguished record, I cannot bring myself to believe
that you made this statement maliciously and without
believeing it, and nor can I believe that you truly
believe the Consul or his employees guilty of such a
despicable conspiracy as that of which you accuse us.
I must conclude that you have made a slip of the
fingers and that what you said is not what you meant.
I hope you will assure me that this is true and that I
need not lower my considerable estimation of you.

Cordus

=====
www.collapsibletheatre.co.uk

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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12192 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:

>
> Citizens have the right to be out from under the
> thumb of a
> so-called "pater" that they despise.
>

I Have made a sugestion that preserves the Honors of
the Paterfamilis without placing anyone under "his
thumb" That was quickly rejected, so don't bother
attempting to continue that line.

An Honorific Paterfamilis wouldn't be able to exercise
any controls over the lives of adults. They could
leave to be adopted into another family any time they
found one willing to accept them. The only thing they
couldn't do is assume the title and honor of a
Paterfamilis unless his paterfamilis was willing to
emancipate him, much like he couldn't assume the
honors and title of a Patrician unless a Patrician
Paterfamilis is willing to adopt him.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12193 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> I Have made a sugestion that preserves the Honors of
> the Paterfamilis without placing anyone under "his
> thumb" That was quickly rejected, so don't bother
> attempting to continue that line.

It was I who first proposed this, and you were staunchly against it.

If the EDICTUM CENSORIBUS DE LIBERTATE GENTILIUM is proposed as a law
this year, will you support it? If not, why not?

To refresh your memory, the text can be found here:

http://www.novaroma.org/tabularium/edicts/censor-2002-09-26.html

Note that this is *not* the later proposal of Cassius to create familiae
within gentes (which you seem to think will result in patresfamilias
less worthy than those who have the title now). That is a *different*
proposal; please do not confuse them.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12194 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Limit Reached
Salvete Quirites,

Yahoo Groups is displaying the following Message for
this list.

Warning! Your group has exceeded its message storage
limits of 32 MB by 0.0 MB.
If you don't remove messages, older messages will be
deleted to make room for new ones.

Have our older posts been archived so we don't lose
our records?


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12195 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Salve Corde,

I just read your post and thank you for its interesting points of
view and clarity. I was away a lot when the issues of vote blocking
and gens reform were on the table so I will stay out of this part of
the discussion and listen instead.

Still, just out of curiosity and for further clarification:

1) Out of 1500 NR's; how many actually voted in the last fall
elections?

2)If votes are done by the centuries, how would various families
organize themselves to form a power block? For example we have 6 in
our gens, and lets pretend only 3 of us voted. Pretend we had some
vested interests with gens Cornelia with 100 members and only 20 of
them voted. Again, each individual is in different centuries so I am
at a loss as to how one could set power blocks by families. Where is
the mechanism? If there is none right now, so much the better.

3) Last election I did not vote for prominant family members. I voted
more for people with good abilities and people who took the trouble
to answer my communications or concerns when I wrote to them on
various issues. For example one would not wish to have a censor with
poor communication skills or who was barely computer literate. Both
these skills are needed for that office so I voted accordingly and
did the same for the other candidates.

4) As I previously posted, in Ancient Rome the paterfamilias was the
be all and end all. Family lines did not extend to relatives or even
grandparents. Permission from the Paterfamilias was needed to leave a
gens and once gone all ties to the family were legally severed. As
mentioned there were some cases in the Republic era where Patrician
family members were emancipated by their paterfamilias in order to be
adopted by Plebian families so they could run for Tribunes. Well
there is an obvious Plebian blocking plot for the Patricians. Would
the be allowed or go unnoticed in NR?



Regards,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12196 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
> Have our older posts been archived so we don't lose
> our records?

I have complete archives.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12197 From: A. Apollonius Cordus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Paterfamilias - a language question
A. Apollonius Cordus to all citizens and peregrines,
greetings.

Apologies for distracting attention from the
life-and-death stuff, but all this talk of families
and their patres and matres has made me wonder about
the word itself.

My dictionary (a small an inadequate one, since I am
away from home) tells me that the genetive of
'paterfamilias' is 'patrisfamilias'. But what is the
plural, I wondered. Logically one would expect that
both the 'pater' part *and* the 'familia' part would
go into the plural, since one cannot have multiple
patres of a single familia. However, 'familia' (again
according to my little Collins) is a first declension
noun, meaning that 'familias' must surely be the
accusative plural. But if so, what kind of a
construction is 'paterfamilias'? It seems to make no
grammatical sense.

Would someone be so kind as to explain this strange
and capricious word to me?

Thanks,

Cordus

=====
www.collapsibletheatre.co.uk

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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12198 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Gentes and familiae
Salvete Quirites.

In the last few messages, I have seen how some of our citizens use
the word "gens" as an equivalent of the word "family". I do not know
where do these concepts come from. The fact that, after so many
messages trying to explain the difference between a gens and a
familia, they are *still* around, is somewhat disencouraging.
Let me please explain things once again:

a) The term "gens" is *not* the Roman equivalent of the English
term "family". The Latin word for a family is "familia". A gens is
composed by several families.

b) A "paterfamilias" is *not* the leader of a gens. Surprisingly
enough, a "paterfamilias" is the father of a Roman family (father +
family = pater + familias). No more, no less.

c) A gens did *not* have a leader, a high priest, a super-pater or a
fuhrer. No one was in charge of a gens. A gens was composed by
independent families who shared a common nomen (all the Iulii or all
the Cornelii) and -sometimes- a few religious traditions.

d) There were no patrician gentes, and there were no plebeian gentes.
The ordo was a familial matter. The gens Iulia, for example, had
patrician families (like the familia Iulia Caesaria) as well as
plebeian families.

If we want to create a traditional Roman gens system, we have to
understand what the Roman gentes and familiae *really* are.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12199 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:
> The postion of Paterfamilis has religous connotations.
> Honoring and respecting living ancesters is just as
> important as honoring those who have crossed the styx.
>
> Destroying this aspect of Roman culture may not matter
> to the Radical faction, but it is very important to
> those of us who haven't lost sight of Roma.
>
> I Have sugested something that preserves the honors of
> the Paterfamilis in a way that is consistant with your
> claimed goal of freeing a citizen from the Pater's
> control over him. The Pater would have no control,
> just an honary postion that is in keeping with the
> traditions of the Romans. That isn't good enough for
> you. You demand something that destroies everything
> about the postion,leaving only an empty title.

I am afraid that you have got it all wrong, senator (beginning with
the spelling of the word "paterfamilias").

It is true that a paterfamilias was a very important religious
figure. The paterfamilias was the head of the cultus familiaris (also
called cultus domesticus or cultus privatus).

But you miss the fundamental point: a paterfamilias was *not* the
head of a gens. A paterfamilias was the head of a family, which is
*not* the equivalent of a gens.

Since the main goal of the gens reform proposal was to allow for the
creation of real Roman familiae, instead of endangering the
historical figure of the paterfamilias, it was an opportunity to
relive it while getting rid of the modernist and unhistorical
construct that the self-appointed "traditionalist/reconstructionist/
boni" faction has enshrined and whose ultimate (and very, very
unhistorical) power it defends.

Yesterday, you were accepting that the gens reform was historically
appropriate, although you had problems with its coercitiveness.
Today, you support the (very coercitive) power of our current gens
leaders while you claim once again the defence of an unhistorical
position for tradition's sake.

I commend you on your energy, senator, but you are either running in
logical cirles or you are trying to willingly confound the citizenry
with empty words.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12200 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
<Salve Deci Iuni Palladi Invicte

<Regarding Post # 12148

<You apologize for a long post, but I must thank you my firned for so
<succinctly stating what I and others have neem trying to say.
<Bravo!
<Vale,
<Gaius Popillius Laenas

I've just gotten home from a night out and have at least 50 NR emails in my
inbox. It's 2;19 am in Belgica and I haven't read the rest yet, but I would
also like to say 'Wow! Bravo Palladius!'. Very well said!

Vale,
Diana Moravia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12201 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Compulsory Latin thread...
Salve Cassius,

<My father, (the owner of my family business), has advanced lung cancer, and
<has been out of commission while receiving chemotherapy.

It may seem silly, but you have no idea how upset I am to hear that your
father is ill. I can certainly understand what your father and your family
are going through right now. I have to admit that I don't understand why bad
things happen to good people. But the Gods are here and they are real and I
can only hope there is a reason for everything. In any case, I wish all of
you strength to get through this difficult time. Tell your father that a
stranger that he never will meet will remember him in her prayers tonight.

Vale,
Diana Moravia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12202 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator D. Iuni Palladi.

Senator, I would like to make a few comments on your latest message,
if you don't mind.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "deciusiunius" <bcatfd@t...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> I spoke in support of the rough outline of a proposal Iulius
> Scaurus posted to this list to have the comitia centuriata vote
> more historically. I still think it is the most fitting system
> proposed since I have been here as it follows the historical model
> in a practical way. I know it is a rough draft but that draft is
> better than any finished product I have seen in my time here. That
> rough draft should be the basis for a proposed Lex.

It is true that you have supported C. Iulius Scaurus's point of view
since he presented his suggestions for a historical comitia. However,
you were speaking against the consul's proposal *before* C. Iulius
Scaurus entered the debate, and your points were not centered on the
historicity of the proposal.

However, since C. Iulius presented his proposal, you have claimed to
hold the flag of tradition. You say nice things about the spirit of
Rome and how you want to restore Rome's glory. You even claim that
your "faction" is founded around the defense of Roman tradition,
while you have dubbed your political oponents as "modernists".

But if you are such a defender of the Roman tradition, how does it
come that Nova Roma is so far away from Roman tradition? You have
been a consul, and so have been others in your "faction". Why didn't
you all bring Nova Roma closer to the Roman tradition back then? If
there is someone who is truly a "modernist" here, it is the one that
has created those aspects of Nova Roma that do not follow Roman
Tradition. And those aspects come from earlier administrations;
administrations like yours, collega.

If you wanted a Nova Roma as closely as possible to Ancient Rome, why
didn't you do that change when you were consul?

I have seen that the members your "faction" seems to oppose every
single proposal presented by the current administration. They use
many different arguments to make this opposition, and a supposed
defense of Roman tradition is just one of them. When someone points
out that a proposal is actually closer to Roman tradition than what
we have now, they quickly find some other aspect of it that they do
not like. I have seen their discourse change several times on a
single session, and I have seen them defending diametrically opposed
position on the same evening.

I am beginning to think that you are not interested in Roman
tradition. You had plenty of time to enforce it when you and your
friends were consules year after year. I think that you just want to
enforce Nova Roma's current status quo (which is quite unhistorical,
by the way). You are just happy with the way things are now.

That is a very valid approach, although one I do not share (I'd
personally prefer a Nova Roma that was closer to Roman Tradition in
many aspects, for example). But your attempts to disguise that goal
as a defense of Roman tradition are simply not fair play.

Be careful. The citizenry will see through that ruse sooner or later.
And you might damage Nova Roma's image and integrity in the process.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12203 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites.
>
> In the last few messages, I have seen how some of
> our citizens use
> the word "gens" as an equivalent of the word
> "family". I do not know
> where do these concepts come from. The fact that,
> after so many
> messages trying to explain the difference between a
> gens and a
> familia, they are *still* around, is somewhat
> disencouraging.
> Let me please explain things once again:

LSD: The usage of the word "Gens" where the word
"family" would be better comes from the Nova Roman
Constitution.
>
> a) The term "gens" is *not* the Roman equivalent of
> the English
> term "family". The Latin word for a family is
> "familia". A gens is
> composed by several families.

LSD: There is no English word that is an accurate
translation of the word Gens. In the earliest days a
Gens was similar to the structure known inEnglish as a
clan, a group of families claiming a common ancestor,
but this changed over time. A Powerful man might for
example allow his clients into the Gens, or released
Slaves gaining citizenship would enter the Gens of
thier former master, or a forigner granted citizenship
would enter the Gens of the magistrate that granted
him citizenship. All of these new families would of
course be un related to the original families causing
the Gens to lose it's similarities to the groups
described by the English word Gens.
>
> b) A "paterfamilias" is *not* the leader of a gens.
> Surprisingly
> enough, a "paterfamilias" is the father of a Roman
> family (father +
> family = pater + familias). No more, no less.

LSD: When speaking of a historic Gens this is correct.
When speaking of the organizations called Gens in Nova
Roma it is confusing to use historicly correct terms.

>
> c) A gens did *not* have a leader, a high priest, a
> super-pater or a
> fuhrer. No one was in charge of a gens. A gens was
> composed by
> independent families who shared a common nomen (all
> the Iulii or all
> the Cornelii) and -sometimes- a few religious
> traditions.

LSD: Religous Traditions tended to be shared among the
original fanilies of the Gens. They were far less
likely to be shared among the families that entered a
Gens because of Clientage, Emancipation, or grants of
citizenship.
>
> d) There were no patrician gentes, and there were no
> plebeian gentes.
> The ordo was a familial matter. The gens Iulia, for
> example, had
> patrician families (like the familia Iulia Caesaria)
> as well as
> plebeian families.

LSD: The Patrican families in Gens Iulia would be the
original clan type families from it's earliest days.
The Plebian families would be the ones that gained
entrance into Iulia through Clientage, Emancipation,
or grants of citizenship by a Julian magistrate.

The entry of Clients who were allready citizens into a
Gens was in the very early days. By the time of the
Republic entry into a Gens was allmost exclusivly via
emancipation of slaves or by grants of citizenship.

Adoption, might result in someone entering a new Gens
but this was a byproduct ofthem entering into a new
family, not a means of enrolling them into the Gens.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12204 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Salve Gnae!

I'm afraid I am one of the culprits who had the idea of gens and
family mixed up. I sincerely thank you for summarizing the
definitions below. The reason I was confused was from the first day I
found NR I saw the word gens a lot, went to the album "gentium" to
find a pater familias, family etc. Some of the debates that we have
had on this subject of reform got started on a high level issues of
unresolved problems and many of us newer people tag on and try to
make some sort of sense of the conversations; it is like trying to
follow a calculus class without being explained the basics of
trigonometry or algebra. Now I think you understand my earlier
postings about debaters taking a little time to simplify or clarify
the issues and technical terms in these discussions. We all have to
start somewhere and you will find that there will be far more
interest in the political wing of NR from the new members. This of
course will translate into better voter turn out and participation in
elections. You did just that on this posting.

Regards,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus

PS - I am still waiting on an answer from anyone as to what % of our
1500 population voted.









> In the last few messages, I have seen how some of our citizens use
> the word "gens" as an equivalent of the word "family". I do not
know
> where do these concepts come from. The fact that, after so many
> messages trying to explain the difference between a gens and a
> familia, they are *still* around, is somewhat disencouraging.
> Let me please explain things once again:
>
> a) The term "gens" is *not* the Roman equivalent of the English
> term "family". The Latin word for a family is "familia". A gens is
> composed by several families.
>
> b) A "paterfamilias" is *not* the leader of a gens. Surprisingly
> enough, a "paterfamilias" is the father of a Roman family (father +
> family = pater + familias). No more, no less.
>
> c) A gens did *not* have a leader, a high priest, a super-pater or
a
> fuhrer. No one was in charge of a gens. A gens was composed by
> independent families who shared a common nomen (all the Iulii or
all
> the Cornelii) and -sometimes- a few religious traditions.
>
> d) There were no patrician gentes, and there were no plebeian
gentes.
> The ordo was a familial matter. The gens Iulia, for example, had
> patrician families (like the familia Iulia Caesaria) as well as
> plebeian families.
>
> If we want to create a traditional Roman gens system, we have to
> understand what the Roman gentes and familiae *really* are.
>
> CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12205 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Salve Junior Consul !

DMA>< After my reply to Lucius Equitius, I saw your post with the boni_nr
link. I
>< am sure that I am not the only one who was curious to learn more about a
> <faction that is not afraid to call themselves one and that is publicly
> <listed on yahoogroups.

TLF <ROFL And one to which you are apparently sympathetic, considering the
<spin you've chosen to put on it. (I assume you're using your dictionary's
definition of faction.)

<giggle> Glad that I gave you a laugh. I knew I couldn't slip that cmment by
you :-) Yes, I use my dictionary since it the only one I have in front of
me! And yes I am always sympathetic towards the minority. They have a right
to be heard along with the majority.

<I'll again point out that the Boni have chosen not to announce their
<membership. Q Fabius "outed" himself on the Back Alley in what could
<easily have been a slip of the keyboard.

Having met him, I doubt that Q Fabius ever slips on his keyboard.

<This seems to me to be roughly
<equivalent to refusing to accept the label of faction. After all, which
<is better, "Here we are, but we're not a faction", or "We're a faction,
<but we won't tell you who we are"?

Hmm. (I'm thinking which isn't the easiest thing for me to do at 3:15 am).
Both groups have the same disease: that 'faction' is (according to
everyone's dictionary but mine) such a dirty word that no one wants to be
associated with such a label.

<In any case, from what I have seen, I don't think it's accurate to call
<the entirety of my collega's Cohors Consularis a faction. The term may
<apply--depending upon which dictionary one wishes to consult--to some
<subset of that group, but not to the whole of it.

I can live with that, just like I can live with the term 'colleagues' that
Titus Octavius offered; hey whatever gets one through the day!

Vale
Diana Moravia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12206 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
> > The postion of Paterfamilis has religous
> connotations.
> > Honoring and respecting living ancesters is just
> as
> > important as honoring those who have crossed the
> styx.
> >
> > Destroying this aspect of Roman culture may not
> matter
> > to the Radical faction, but it is very important
> to
> > those of us who haven't lost sight of Roma.
> >
> > I Have sugested something that preserves the
> honors of
> > the Paterfamilis in a way that is consistant with
> your
> > claimed goal of freeing a citizen from the Pater's
> > control over him. The Pater would have no control,
> > just an honary postion that is in keeping with the
> > traditions of the Romans. That isn't good enough
> for
> > you. You demand something that destroies
> everything
> > about the postion,leaving only an empty title.
>
> I am afraid that you have got it all wrong, senator
> (beginning with
> the spelling of the word "paterfamilias").
>
> It is true that a paterfamilias was a very important
> religious
> figure. The paterfamilias was the head of the cultus
> familiaris (also
> called cultus domesticus or cultus privatus).
>
> But you miss the fundamental point: a paterfamilias
> was *not* the
> head of a gens. A paterfamilias was the head of a
> family, which is
> *not* the equivalent of a gens.
>
> Since the main goal of the gens reform proposal was
> to allow for the
> creation of real Roman familiae, instead of
> endangering the
> historical figure of the paterfamilias, it was an
> opportunity to
> relive it while getting rid of the modernist and
> unhistorical
> construct that the self-appointed
> "traditionalist/reconstructionist/
> boni" faction has enshrined and whose ultimate (and
> very, very
> unhistorical) power it defends.
>
> Yesterday, you were accepting that the gens reform
> was historically
> appropriate, although you had problems with its
> coercitiveness.
> Today, you support the (very coercitive) power of
> our current gens
> leaders while you claim once again the defence of an
> unhistorical
> position for tradition's sake.
>
> I commend you on your energy, senator, but you are
> either running in
> logical cirles or you are trying to willingly
> confound the citizenry
> with empty words.
>

You are mistaking my intentions.

I'm concerned that a REAL Paterfamilias, the head of a
real family, might have his postion infringed apon by
poorly thought out reforms.

A Paterfamilias is oldest living male ancestor in an
extended family. His grandchildren might be adults
living in thier on households, but he is still the
Paterfamilias as long as he lives. Once he dies his
sons become the paterfamilias of thier families.

A Son can't just decide he will assume the title of
Paterfamilis while his father is living.

The Title and honor of being called should be reserved
for the oldest Male ancestor as long as he lives.

If Some citizens wish to place themselves under a
nonrealted person they have never met because of past
errors in setting up our Gens structure I won't
interfere. I Don't care if a new citizen wants to do
the same after we institute reforms.

My Concern is that an effort to cover the butts of
people who made a bad choice in placing themselves
under another unrelated person results in weakening
the moral postion of a REAL Paterfamilias over his
REAL decendants.

Do you understand that aspect?
I'm insisting that you think past the short term
problem of people who made a bad choice, and think
about the long term effects on REAL Roman families 20
or 30 years from now.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12207 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> I'm concerned that a REAL Paterfamilias, the head of a
> real family, might have his postion infringed apon by
> poorly thought out reforms.

If you really think that's likely to be a problem, then we could put
something in a reform proposal preventing children of a real
paterfamilias from claiming the title form themselves.

Keeping gensmates of a pretend paterfamilias in bondage is not the
answer.

> If Some citizens wish to place themselves under a nonrealted person
> they have never met because of past errors in setting up our Gens
> structure I won't interfere. I Don't care if a new citizen wants to do
> the same after we institute reforms.

Even after we do so, they can always enter such an association
voluntarily; but the law should not force them to stay there. Whatever
commitment they made is a private matter between the citizen and the
person he calls "paterfamilias".

Last year, Consul Sulla insisted that persons who failed to express
a preference during the transition period to a new system would be
permanently bound to their patresfamilias afterward. This is absurd;
the very people whose relationship with their gens was *weakest* (so
weak they couldn't even be bothered to reply) would be the ones
most strongly chained to it in the future.

> My Concern is that an effort to cover the butts of
> people who made a bad choice in placing themselves
> under another unrelated person results in weakening
> the moral postion of a REAL Paterfamilias over his
> REAL decendants.

Fine; any significant reform should establish a clear difference between
real patresfamilias and role-players.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12208 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael
Kelly)" <mjk@d...> wrote:
> Quintus Lanius Paulinus
>
> PS - I am still waiting on an answer from anyone as to what % of
our
> 1500 population voted.

Salve,

About 16-20% of the population as currently defined. I suspect that
after the coming census the number of citizens will drop considerably
so the voter turn out percentage will rise to a more reasonable
number.

Vale,

Q. Cassius Calvus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12209 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: The Boni
Salvete,

I See that a mail list that has existed since last
September has gained attention on this list. I'm sure
most of you guessed that I would be a member of that
list

The Boni list is no more than a private list for a
group of friends who are concerned about the direction
that Nova Roma is taking. Membership is by invitation,
we aren't intrested in repeating the arguments on this
list on our own list.

If we had wanted it to be some big secrect it wouldn't
be called Boni_NR, a name that someone was sure to
stumble accross sooner or later. The name is somewhat
of a joke. We figured that we are going to be called
the boni no mater what name we used, so why not.

Since we were "outed" we have had several requests to
join. We aren't acceptating aplications, but we have
started a second Boni list that will have more open
policies for citizens who are intrested in "Boni"
politics.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Boni/


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12210 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
>
> > I'm concerned that a REAL Paterfamilias, the head
> of a
> > real family, might have his postion infringed apon
> by
> > poorly thought out reforms.
>
> If you really think that's likely to be a problem,
> then we could put
> something in a reform proposal preventing children
> of a real
> paterfamilias from claiming the title form
> themselves.
>
> Keeping gensmates of a pretend paterfamilias in
> bondage is not the
> answer.

I Don't think the "pretend paterfamilias" will be a
problem within 5 years or less, because as our
citizens learn more about Roman Families the current
style Gens/Family will lose it's actractiveness and
few if any will be intrested in belonging to one of
them.

The effects of legislation to deal with this short
term problem however can last long after the problem
ceases to exist and cause far worse problems as real
roman families develop.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12211 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
Salve Diana Moravia

> And yes I am always sympathetic towards the minority. They have a right
> to be heard along with the majority.

An excellent play for sympathy, O orator (oratrix?)! Actually, all
kidding aside, I often wonder about Nova Roman demographics. Since
we're so disparate, and such a small proportion of our populace posts to
this list, it's hard to tell what opinions really are in the minority.

> Having met him, I doubt that Q Fabius ever slips on his keyboard.

Having seen his messages on dozens of mailing lists for the past five or
so years, it's my impression that he often dashes off posts with great
haste. I know that he can write quite well when he takes the time to do
so, and that he is reasonably literate in Latin, yet these messages are
rife with misspellings, poor grammar, and terrible Latin. Therefore, I
conclude that he often "slips on his keyboard". Though, I must admit,
the phrase does conjure up images of an unfortunate meeting between a
laptop left in the middle of the floor and a sleepy proconsul headed for
a midnight snack.

> Hmm. (I'm thinking which isn't the easiest thing for me to do at 3:15 am).

I know the feeling all too well.

> Both groups have the same disease: that 'faction' is (according to
> everyone's dictionary but mine) such a dirty word that no one wants to be
> associated with such a label.

That's probably accurate. I think it's also due to a desire not to be
easily tarred with one brush. It's easy to point to a group and say,
"Those guys are wrong," without offering a nuanced defense of the
position. It's harder if one must attempt to defeat what is perceived
to be a variety of less monolithic opponents. And, on the part of those
groups that keep their membership secret, there's probably a desire to
keep their perceived opposition off balance.

Vale
T Labienus Fortunatus
--
"magna pars consilii in tempore"
- Seneca
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12212 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Salve Quinte!

Thank you for the information.

Quintus



-- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "quintuscassiuscalvus"
<richmal@a...> wrote:
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael
> Kelly)" <mjk@d...> wrote:
> > Quintus Lanius Paulinus
> >
> > PS - I am still waiting on an answer from anyone as to what % of
> our
> > 1500 population voted.
>
> Salve,
>
> About 16-20% of the population as currently defined. I suspect
that
> after the coming census the number of citizens will drop
considerably
> so the voter turn out percentage will rise to a more reasonable
> number.
>
> Vale,
>
> Q. Cassius Calvus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12213 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
G. Iulius Scaurus A. Apollonio Cordo salutem dicit.

Salve, A. Apolloni.

> My dictionary (a small an inadequate one, since I am
> away from home) tells me that the genetive of
> 'paterfamilias' is 'patrisfamilias'. But what is the
> plural, I wondered. Logically one would expect that
> both the 'pater' part *and* the 'familia' part would
> go into the plural, since one cannot have multiple
> patres of a single familia. However, 'familia' (again
> according to my little Collins) is a first declension
> noun, meaning that 'familias' must surely be the
> accusative plural. But if so, what kind of a
> construction is 'paterfamilias'? It seems to make no
> grammatical sense.
>
> Would someone be so kind as to explain this strange
> and capricious word to me?

You have happened upon a vexing and controversial issue even for the
grammarians of classical antiquity. Maurus Servius Honoratus, a
fourth-century CE grammarian and literary critic, in his commentary on
book xi, line 801 of the Aeneid opined:

"Among the authorities the genitive singular sometimes was derived
from the Greek. Hence it is both 'paterfamilias' and 'materfamilias,'
which two only survived as nouns: for we say neither 'huius auras' nor
'huius custodias,' according to Sallustius, who said, 'castella
custodias thesaurorum' instead of 'custodiae'; thus, indeed, also
Asper understands it, although others prefer the accusative
'custodias.' When we say 'paterfamilias' and 'materfamilias,'
'familias' is indeclinable. If, however, we wish to say 'pater
familiae,' now it will not be a noun, but a phrase, and 'familiae'
will be dative; for we say 'pater mihi est': as Terentius said,
'Natura tu illi pater es, consiliis ego.' Many yet prefer the noun to
be declined in the plural in both cases, as we may say 'hi patres
familiae, horum patrum familiarum.'"

In classical Latin texts you see (1) "paterfamilias" written as a
single noun with the first element declined and the second
indeclinable as in "patresfamilias" for the nominative plural or
"patrisfamilias" in the genitive singular, (2) "pater familiae"
written as a phrase in which the first noun is declined as
grammatically appropriate to context and the second remains in the
dative with its number taken from that of the first (the idea is that
one is father "to a family" and several are fathers "to families"),
(3) "pater familiae" written as a phrase in which both nouns are
declined in the same case (probably a case of "familia" being treated
as if it were a substantive adjective). The second paradigm occurs
somewhat more often than the other two in classical texts, but I
wouldn't regard either of the others as ungrammatical. The third
tends to be a silver and later usage, although it also survives in a
fragment of a very much earlier text, but that may be a question of a
later scribal preference.

Vale.

G. Iulius Scaurus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12214 From: rory12001 Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Urania Calidia Antonina omnibus salutem dicit;
as a new citizen I have been following this discussion and Gnaeus
Salix's posts have been most helpful in unravelling the issues.
So if the new reforms are closer to historical Rome, why on earth
does the Traditionalist faction not want to implement them? It seems
downright odd to this observer & potential voter.
Valete,
Urania Calidia Antonina

In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael
Kelly)" <mjk@d...> wrote:
> Salve Gnae!
>
> I'm afraid I am one of the culprits who had the idea of gens and
> family mixed up. I sincerely thank you for summarizing the
> definitions below. The reason I was confused was from the first day
I
> found NR I saw the word gens a lot, went to the album "gentium" to
> find a pater familias, family etc. Some of the debates that we have
> had on this subject of reform got started on a high level issues of
> unresolved problems and many of us newer people tag on and try to
> make some sort of sense of the conversations; it is like trying to
> follow a calculus class without being explained the basics of
> trigonometry or algebra. Now I think you understand my earlier
> postings about debaters taking a little time to simplify or clarify
> the issues and technical terms in these discussions. We all have to
> start somewhere and you will find that there will be far more
> interest in the political wing of NR from the new members. This of
> course will translate into better voter turn out and participation
in
> elections. You did just that on this posting.
>
> Regards,
>
> Quintus Lanius Paulinus
>
> PS - I am still waiting on an answer from anyone as to what % of
our
> 1500 population voted.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > In the last few messages, I have seen how some of our citizens
use
> > the word "gens" as an equivalent of the word "family". I do not
> know
> > where do these concepts come from. The fact that, after so many
> > messages trying to explain the difference between a gens and a
> > familia, they are *still* around, is somewhat disencouraging.
> > Let me please explain things once again:
> >
> > a) The term "gens" is *not* the Roman equivalent of the English
> > term "family". The Latin word for a family is "familia". A gens
is
> > composed by several families.
> >
> > b) A "paterfamilias" is *not* the leader of a gens. Surprisingly
> > enough, a "paterfamilias" is the father of a Roman family (father
+
> > family = pater + familias). No more, no less.
> >
> > c) A gens did *not* have a leader, a high priest, a super-pater
or
> a
> > fuhrer. No one was in charge of a gens. A gens was composed by
> > independent families who shared a common nomen (all the Iulii or
> all
> > the Cornelii) and -sometimes- a few religious traditions.
> >
> > d) There were no patrician gentes, and there were no plebeian
> gentes.
> > The ordo was a familial matter. The gens Iulia, for example, had
> > patrician families (like the familia Iulia Caesaria) as well as
> > plebeian families.
> >
> > If we want to create a traditional Roman gens system, we have to
> > understand what the Roman gentes and familiae *really* are.
> >
> > CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12215 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-28
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
Salve Senator Sicini,

> I Don't think the "pretend paterfamilias" will be a
> problem within 5 years or less, because as our
> citizens learn more about Roman Families the current
> style Gens/Family will lose it's actractiveness and
> few if any will be intrested in belonging to one of
> them.
>
> The effects of legislation to deal with this short
> term problem however can last long after the problem
> ceases to exist and cause far worse problems as real
> roman families develop.

That's curious. *Now*, you're suddenly concerned about the future?

Earlier today, you chastised me for attempting to fix future problems:

>>So where are all the citizens held in thrall by a
>>"malicious" pater?
>>You took a sitaution that dosen't exist and used it as
>>an excuse to promulgate a lex...

It seems you want to have it both ways. When I attempt to anticipate
future problems, you complain about "a situation that doesn't exist";
yet you then try to use your own forecasts of the future to
criticize our proposals.

Which is it, then? Should we anticipate the future or shouldn't
we? It seems you can't form a consistent opinion about this.

Vale, Octavius.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12216 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
G. Iulius Scaurus A. Apollonio Cordo salutem dicit.

Salve, A. Apolloni.

There is one further usage which I neglected to mention because it is
much more common in medieval Latin, particularly in monastic contexts
(since Roman law on patria potestas was borrowed over in monastic
rules and canon law), but also appears in the late classical period:
"pater familiae" as a phrase in which "pater" is declined as
contextually appropriate, but "familia" is in the genitive (contrary
to the more classical use of the dative), hence "patres familiarum."

Vale.

G. Iulius Scaurus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12217 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Gnaeus Salix Astur"
<salixastur@y...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator D. Iuni Palladi.
>

Salve Senator G. Salix Astur,

> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "deciusiunius" <bcatfd@t...>
wrote:
> It is true that you have supported C. Iulius Scaurus's point of
>view since he presented his suggestions for a historical comitia.
>However, you were speaking against the consul's proposal *before* C.
>Iulius Scaurus entered the debate, and your points were not
>centered on the historicity of the proposal.

Quite true. When dealing with two non-historical systems, arguing the
historicity of them seemed pointless. However, the current system
does have the advantage of being tried and already in existence.
Seeing a truly historical system proposed brought back into focus for
me why we are here.

> However, since C. Iulius presented his proposal, you have claimed
>to hold the flag of tradition. You say nice things about the spirit
>of
> Rome and how you want to restore Rome's glory. You even claim that
> your "faction" is founded around the defense of Roman tradition,
> while you have dubbed your political oponents as "modernists".

I didn't actually coin the term but since it was already being used
in the debate, I used it.

> But if you are such a defender of the Roman tradition, how does it
> come that Nova Roma is so far away from Roman tradition? You have
> been a consul, and so have been others in your "faction". Why
>didn't you all bring Nova Roma closer to the Roman tradition back
>then? If there is someone who is truly a "modernist" here, it is
>the one that has created those aspects of Nova Roma that do not
>follow Roman Tradition. And those aspects come from earlier
>administrations; administrations like yours, collega.

> If you wanted a Nova Roma as closely as possible to Ancient Rome,
>why didn't you do that change when you were consul?

Touche!! An apt observation my friend! (if I may be so bold as to use
the term?) However, if you recall from my post, at the time I was
consul I would describe myself from that period as a modernist, if
such terms would be useful to describe any of us then. I was more
concerned with practicality, etc. HOWEVER, to be fair to myself, one
has to realize what a tumultous year that was, as was the year
before, the year of the Founding. I think those on this list who were
here then will agree, it was a matter of the survival of Nova Roma
and keeping her going. We had a major, "is Nova Roma going to survive
through the week" crisis EVERY OTHER WEEK through 1998 and 1999--
until the dictatorship. I am *not* exaggerating (ok, sometimes we
might have gone 3 weeks without a crisis but that was a rare
respite). After the dictatorship, for the rest of that year as consul
(several months as SOLE consul until a consul suffectus was elected)
I saw my job to keep the repaired ship afloat, hold elections under a
newly implemented system and pass an INTACT republic on to my
successors, Quintus Fabius and Marcus Audens. In that I was
successful and am proud of the fact. Are there things I would have
done differently with hindsight? Absolutely, but hindsight is always
20/20.

So please do not lecture me on what I should have done when I was
consul. That you are here, successfuly elected praetor, in an intact
Nova Roma reminds me of that year. You're welcome.

Vale,

Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus,
Praetor, Senator Consularis,
who is not taking his own advice to cool off before sending a message
but who would like it made clear anyway that he respects the work of
his fellow praetor and has been very impressed by some of the things
he has seen come from him--including the attention to detail and
historicity (which makes me think sometimes he is in the
wrong "faction.")
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12218 From: G¥IVLIVS¥SCAVRVS Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Latin Grammarians
G. Iulius Scaurus S. P, D.

Avete, Quirites.

Having mentioned the grammarian Servius in connection with declension
of "paterfamilias," I thought there might be some interest in some
Latin grammarian links.

Here's a bibliography on the works of Manius Servius Honoratus
Grammaticus at David Wilson-Okamura's virgil.org:

http://virgil.org/bibliography/servius.htm

And James J. O'Donnell's "Donatus the Grammarian (and others)" page:

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/donatus.html

NetSERF's links to Latin texts and English translations (mostly by Jim
O'Donnell) of works by Aelius Donatus:

http://www.netserf.org/Literature/Authors/Donatus/

And Michael Russo's website on the rhetorician and grammarian Marcus
Fabius Quintilianus:

http://www.molloy.edu/academic/philosophy/sophia/Quintilian/quintilian.htm

Valete, Quirites.

G. Iulius Scaurus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12219 From: qfabiusmaxmi@aol.com Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Digest No 672
In a message dated 6/28/03 7:10:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
labienus@... writes:


> yet these messages are
> rife with misspellings, poor grammar, and terrible Latin. Therefore, I
> conclude that he often "slips on his keyboard". Though, I must admit,
> the phrase does conjure up images of an unfortunate meeting between a
> laptop left in the middle of the floor and a sleepy proconsul headed for
> a midnight snack.
>
Q. Fabius Maximus SPD
Salvete
Oh yes too often that is the case. But I am trying to get better. Getting
more
sleep, anyway.
But the Consul was correct, Tribune. It was a slip of the keyboard. No
doubt I forgot where I was at the time. (Being a member of some 35 lists, I'm
surprised I don't mess up more times then not.) :-)

Valete


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12220 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, Fortunatus <labienus@n...> wrote:
> Salvete Deci Iuni omnesque

Salve Consul T. Labieni et omnes,

> I generally agreed with much that you said. However, I do not
>believe that the so-called Traditionalists (Reactionaries,
>Reconstructionists, Fascists, What-Have-Yous) are as traditionalist
>as they claim.

LOL Fascists and Reactionaries? Covering all bases?

>Nor do I
> believe that the so-called Modernists (Liberals, Revivalists,
>Commies,
> What-Have-Yous) are as dedicated to modernity as they seem to be
> portrayed.

You left out Radicals for this group. And don't you think
Reactionaries fits here as well? Just being thorough. ;-)

>Indeed, the rhetoric and goals of the two camps seem
> relatively similar to me when talking privately to members of both
> sides, and there are certainly members of both who are truly
>dedicated to making Nova Roma work.

You are a fair man, Fortunate, and I agree with you to some extent. I
have been genuinely surprised by the positions of some
the "Modernists," especially privately, that there was a dedication
to reviving tradition among them and to Rome.

> > The so-called modernist faction has recently put forward a
> > proposal designed to encourage block voting and allow the
> > political dominance of their faction.
>
> I do not believe that the current comitial reform proposal was put
>forth
> with the purpose of allowing a particular faction to dominate Nova
>Roman politics. I believe it was done with an eye toward
>historical practice and eliminating the possibility of endless
>rounds of run-off elections. Note that the race for praetor *has*
>involved run-off elections in the past, so the argument that the
>Comitia Centuriata has not experienced
> this problem is patently false.

Perhaps I am just naturally suspicious and believe things are never
what they seem or are purported to be. I knew the purpose of the old
system, so a system proposed by the dominant faction which allowed
block voting seemed to me an attempt to solidify power by that
faction. I told Consul Quintilianus that when I first saw his bill
several months ago in the CAM. Perhaps it is not intentional but it
is a definite byproduct.

A brief aside to Apollonius Cordus. Corde, you seemed genuinely upset
by my suggestion and such was not my intention. Try to appreciate the
suspicion that the cohors arise in many people due to their size and
the seeming tag team intimidation tactics used by them. As such, a
proposed law put forward by the cohors will be viewed with
skepticism. I fully appreciate the work you have put into the
proposed lex and accept your intentions as for what you intended the
law to achieve.

End of aside.

> > Understandable, that is politics. However, the proposal by
Iulius
> > Scaurus has brought back to mind the importance of emulating the
> > ancients rather than designing modern systems to fit our needs
> > (preventing factional dominance or allowing it).
>
> Note that the "Iulian proposal" also allows for block voting and
> therefore contains the possibility of allowing one faction to
>dominate Nova Roman politics. It has been argued that sequential
>voting will ameliorate this, which the historical record has also
>proven to be patently false.

I fully acknowledge that the Iulian proposal will allow block voting
and could allow factional domination. However, as it is a somewhat
close approximation of a historical system, I am willing to take that
chance because the more we act as the Romans did, the more we will
become like them. I think that at heart many "modernists" want to
emulate the ancients but just don't think it "practical." The more
they see it can be done somewhat practically I think they will want
to follow the ancient example in more things.

Vale,

Decius Iunius Palladius
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12221 From: deciusiunius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Gallagher" <spqr753@m...>
wrote:
> Salve my dear friend Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus

Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus Tiberii Galerii Paulino SPD

> You were missed in the recent debates but you have just now made up
>for it very nicely .

Thank you.

> Good to have you back!!! As your words speak for themselves, I
>will use one thing you said to make a point:
>
> You said in part "I will strive to be succinct; I know people are
>sick of LONG discussions of minutiae that often end up being deleted
>rather than read."

> It would not be very "Roman" to simply delete something before it
>is read. It would not show respect for someone else's hard work, it
>would show an absences of gravitas, and a lack of patientia.

> When I get home from work I have to wade through nearly 150-200 e-
>mails a day some are disposed quickly but everything from Nova Roma
>is opened and read regardless of what the topic is or who posted it.
> It is simply good manners.

I have heard a number of comments on the length and number of posts.
I would never condemn someone for not reading the large number of
nearly identical posts on the same topics that get flung back and
forth by people on both sides of many an argument. I appreciate that
people have much to say on certain topics but after awhile people are
going to stop listening.

Even good manners go so far. In the Roman forum or senate I picture
people either walking away or shouting down those they didn't want to
hear. (perhaps the numerous repeat messages I referred to is the
latter) That being said, I delete no one's messages before reading as
I read the list on the web! ;-) (except moderated members who go
straight to my inbox so they can be processed quickly)

> Pax vobiscum

Et cum spiritu tuo.

In Pax Deorum,

Vale,

Decius Iunius Palladius
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12222 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Gentes and familiae
Salvete Quirites; et salve, Q. Lani Pauline.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael
Kelly)" <mjk@d...> wrote:
> Salve Gnae!
>
> I'm afraid I am one of the culprits who had the idea of gens and
> family mixed up.

Do not worry; it is not your fault. None of us was born knowing how a
historical Roman gens was like :-).

> I sincerely thank you for summarizing the definitions below.

You're welcome. If you have understood the difference between our
current system and the historical system, then I am more than
satisfied :-).

> The reason I was confused was from the first day I found NR I saw
> the word gens a lot, went to the album "gentium" to find a pater
> familias, family etc. Some of the debates that we have had on this
> subject of reform got started on a high level issues of unresolved
> problems and many of us newer people tag on and try to make some
> sort of sense of the conversations; it is like trying to follow a
> calculus class without being explained the basics of trigonometry
> or algebra. Now I think you understand my earlier postings about
> debaters taking a little time to simplify or clarify the issues and
> technical terms in these discussions. We all have to start
> somewhere and you will find that there will be far more interest in
> the political wing of NR from the new members. This of course will
> translate into better voter turn out and participation in
> elections. You did just that on this posting.

Thank you for your kind words, Quinte Lani.
It is true that the adaptation of new citizens is sometimes
difficult; there are many new terms and concepts that must be
assimilated before one can follow a political debate in Nova Roma (or
before one can simply take full advantage of what Nova Roma has to
offer). The "instruction" of new citizens is a difficult issue.

I am right now taking part in a project that tries to help new
citizens to understand what Nova Roma is all about: I am talking
about the Basic Course about Nova Roma in the Academia. There we have
been discussing these very same issues (as well as others, like how
does a provincia really work). I think that the students are learning
a great deal very quickly :-). It might not be the ultimate solution
to the "instruction" of out new citizens, but I think that it is a
step in the right direction.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12223 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator D. Iuni Palladi.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "deciusiunius" <bcatfd@t...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> Quite true. When dealing with two non-historical systems, arguing
> the historicity of them seemed pointless. However, the current
> system does have the advantage of being tried and already in
> existence.

It also has the drawback of being quite ineffective. You and I had to
suffer through several run-off elections before we were elected
praetores, dear collega. I am sure that you haven't forgot the
experience :-).

> Seeing a truly historical system proposed brought back into focus
> for me why we are here.

That is most commendable. Do you then also support gens reform now?
That is a historical system as well.

<<snipped>>

>> If you wanted a Nova Roma as closely as possible to Ancient Rome,
>> why didn't you do that change when you were consul?
>
> Touche!! An apt observation my friend! (if I may be so bold as to
> use the term?)

Of course you can call me a friend :-).

> However, if you recall from my post, at the time I was consul I
> would describe myself from that period as a modernist, if such
> terms would be useful to describe any of us then. I was more
> concerned with practicality, etc. HOWEVER, to be fair to myself,
> one has to realize what a tumultous year that was, as was the year
> before, the year of the Founding. I think those on this list who
> were here then will agree, it was a matter of the survival of Nova
> Roma and keeping her going. We had a major, "is Nova Roma going to
> survive through the week" crisis EVERY OTHER WEEK through 1998 and
> 1999-- until the dictatorship. I am *not* exaggerating (ok,
> sometimes we might have gone 3 weeks without a crisis but that was
> a rare respite). After the dictatorship, for the rest of that year
> as consul (several months as SOLE consul until a consul suffectus
> was elected) I saw my job to keep the repaired ship afloat, hold
> elections under a newly implemented system and pass an INTACT
> republic on to my successors, Quintus Fabius and Marcus Audens. In
> that I was successful and am proud of the fact. Are there things I
> would have done differently with hindsight? Absolutely, but
> hindsight is always 20/20.
>
> So please do not lecture me on what I should have done when I was
> consul. That you are here, successfuly elected praetor, in an
> intact Nova Roma reminds me of that year. You're welcome.

I can accept that you have changed your mind about these issues over
time. I can accept that you had to face many problems during your
consulship. But your "faction" includes several past consules from
different (and often consecutive) years. They were the ones who
shaped Nova Roma as it is now (and yes; I do thank you all for your
effort). My question is: why didn't you make it closer to the Roman
Tradition?

Perhaps you all were too busy doing other things. But then, if you
are stern and decided supporters of Roman Tradition, why do you
oppose those proposals that would correct those mistakes and bring
Nova Roma closer to its historical counterpart?

> Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus,
> Praetor, Senator Consularis,
> who is not taking his own advice to cool off before sending a
> message but who would like it made clear anyway that he respects
> the work of his fellow praetor and has been very impressed by some
> of the things he has seen come from him--including the attention to
> detail and historicity (which makes me think sometimes he is in the
> wrong "faction.")

Thank you for your kind words, collega :-).
The truth is that you have always seemed a reasonable man to me. It
is a pity that we diverge on fundamental issues. But that does not
mean that we can not work together, does it?

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12224 From: Diana Moravia Aventina Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salve Praetor Gnaeus Salix,

When I saw 'fallacy' in the subject, I thought it was a totally different
word which is pronounced similar :-p

In your response to fellow Praetor D Iunius Palladius you said:

<If you wanted a Nova Roma as closely as possible to Ancient Rome, why
<didn't you do that change when you were consul?

I don't remember too much from Nova Roma back in 1999 when D Iunius
Palladius was Consul but we were a fledgling group hanging on and just
trying to survive back then. Now that Nova Roma is 'strong' we can have
these arguments and discussions.

<You even claim that your "faction" is founded around the defense of Roman
tradition,
<while you have dubbed your political oponents as "modernists".

I see that D Iunius' name has been added to the list of citizens in the
'faction', along with L Cornelius and Q Fabius. But as you (plural) point
your fingers and name names, don't forget to mention that these 3 gentlemen
were citizens from nearly day one of this micronation. If it weren't for
their persistence, there probably would not be a Nova Roma to bicker in as
we have now. There were also other fine people around that are equally
responsible for Nova Roma's survival: Marcus Octavius, L Equitius
Cincinnatus, Marcus Minucius Audens and the Cassii to name a few off the top
of my head. Even when/if I disagree with them, I still give them credit
where credit is due. We might not even have a Nova Roma if it weren't for
all of them!

<I have seen that the members your "faction" seems to oppose every
<single proposal presented by the current administration.

One does not have to be in any faction in order to oppose proposal's
presented by the current administration. To speak one's mind and oppose a
proposal is the right of *all* citizens of Nova Roma.

None of the gentlemen mentioned in this 'faction' can veto anything proposed
by the Senior Consul. They can bark, but they can't bite, so the current
administration really can't worry about their proposals being blocked at
every turn. The Senior Consul called a vote on only one item this year-- the
Census Law, which passed. So verbal opposition didn't hold it back. We are
waiting for a call to vote on his second proposal, the electoral reform.
Again if the citizens feel it is a good idea, the item will pass. If they
don't, it won't pass but that will be the will of the people.

But whom do you include when you say 'the current administration"? Are you
including the Curule Aediles and their edicta as well??? Many citizens were
against them because if you recall, *as written* those edicts gave the
Aediles the right to create a secret police with authority to conduct secret
investigations within Nova Roma. But put the blame where blame is due: the
Tribunes for unanimously vetoing their edicta. In any case, we are still
waiting for a rewording of those edicta to clarify the fact that they meant
those rules to apply only to the Marketplace only. When they are presented
again with those corrections, I doubt that anyone will have a problem with
them--including the Tribunes.

Vale,
Diana Moravia
Tribunus Plebis
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12225 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
SNIP
>
> > Seeing a truly historical system proposed brought
> back into focus
> > for me why we are here.
>
> That is most commendable. Do you then also support
> gens reform now?
> That is a historical system as well.
>

Praetor, you have continued to use that remark over
and over to avoid discussing Eletorial reforms.

The Traditionalists support the concept of Gens
reform, just not the plan that was presented last
year. It's flaws have been pointed out many times.

Are you ready to support a lex based on Scaurus'
proposal, one that is far more historic than the
Consul's proposal?


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12226 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
> Salve Senator Sicini,
>
> > I Don't think the "pretend paterfamilias" will be
> a
> > problem within 5 years or less, because as our
> > citizens learn more about Roman Families the
> current
> > style Gens/Family will lose it's actractiveness
> and
> > few if any will be intrested in belonging to one
> of
> > them.
> >
> > The effects of legislation to deal with this short
> > term problem however can last long after the
> problem
> > ceases to exist and cause far worse problems as
> real
> > roman families develop.
>
> That's curious. *Now*, you're suddenly concerned
> about the future?
>
> Earlier today, you chastised me for attempting to
> fix future problems:
>
> >>So where are all the citizens held in thrall by a
> >>"malicious" pater?
> >>You took a sitaution that dosen't exist and used
> it as
> >>an excuse to promulgate a lex...
>
> It seems you want to have it both ways. When I
> attempt to anticipate
> future problems, you complain about "a situation
> that doesn't exist";
> yet you then try to use your own forecasts of the
> future to
> criticize our proposals.
>
> Which is it, then? Should we anticipate the future
> or shouldn't
> we? It seems you can't form a consistent opinion
> about this.
>

You took a misunderstanding that had occured two years
earlier and had long been set right, blew it up into a
crusade attacking your fellow Consul that Formosanus
would have been proud of.

Your fix for the problem was poorly thought out. It
didn't take any other problems it could cause into
account. You had allready morphed into Formosanus
however, and that blinded you to any and every thing
except your crusade.





=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12227 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
On Sun, 29 Jun 2003, L. Sicinius Drusus wrote:

> You took a misunderstanding that had occured two years
> earlier and had long been set right,

A misunderstanding that had been set right? No - a malicious
act that caused citizens to depart. How was it "set right"?

> blew it up into a
> crusade attacking your fellow Consul that Formosanus
> would have been proud of.

I see; in your eyes anyone who tries to improve the lot of any
citizen is a Formosanus. Thank you, Senator McCarthy.


--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12228 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
--- Marcus Octavius Germanicus <hucke@...>
wrote:
> On Sun, 29 Jun 2003, L. Sicinius Drusus wrote:
>
> > You took a misunderstanding that had occured two
> years
> > earlier and had long been set right,
>
> A misunderstanding that had been set right? No - a
> malicious
> act that caused citizens to depart. How was it "set
> right"?

LSD: WHERE are the Cornelians Senator? They haven't
submited resignations, but they also aren't taking
part in the affairs Nova Roma like they were before
you started your crusade. You were warned, repeatadly,
that your actions could result in Nova Roma losing
citizens, and you persisted, blind to anything other
than your new status as Nova Roma's "Freedom Crusader"

>
> > blew it up into a
> > crusade attacking your fellow Consul that
> Formosanus
> > would have been proud of.
>
> I see; in your eyes anyone who tries to improve the
> lot of any
> citizen is a Formosanus. Thank you, Senator
> McCarthy.
>

No, someone who attempts to improve the lot of a
citizen isn't a Formosanus. Someone who launches a
"Crusade for Freedom" that blinds them to any and
every thing else is a Formosanus, and that does
describe your conduct last year.

You like Formosanus AND Senator McCarthy latched onto
an issue, blew it up into a "holy crusade" against the
forces of "evil", and ran amok, blind to any thing
else.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12229 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Question on population numbers
Salve Romans

I know the ( Dreaded word coming) census will fix this once and for all (fingers crossed) but in the last couple of weeks the population as recorded on the web site has gone for 1770+/- to 1500+/- to 1900+/-? Any reason for this radical shift down then way up?


Vale

Tiberius Galerius Paulinus


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12230 From: Stephen Gallagher Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: A Simple Question
Salve Romans


I have a simple question or two.

If either side in the ongoing debate, on the proposed Lex or Gens reform , won their arguments would that bring us any closer to seeing a new Rome in the modern world and would it get us our 108 acre site we are all working toward ?


Vale

Tiberius Galerius Paulinus


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12231 From: quintuscassiuscalvus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: A Simple Question
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Gallagher" <spqr753@m...>
wrote:
> Salve Romans
>
>
> I have a simple question or two.
>
> If either side in the ongoing debate, on the proposed Lex or Gens
reform , won their arguments would that bring us any closer to
seeing a new Rome in the modern world and would it get us our 108
acre site we are all working toward ?
>
>
> Vale
>
> Tiberius Galerius Paulinus

Salve,

No. While it's a nice dream, no nation is going to give up 108 acres
for a new nation within its borders. There already is a new Rome in
the modern world. Grab you passport, get your visa, buy a plane
ticket and you can go there on vaction. For some of us Nova Romans
the new modern Rome is a couple hour or less train ride away.

Vale,

Q. Cassius Calvus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12232 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
In response to A. Apollonius Cordus, Senator L. Sicinius Drusus wrote:
> Actually I'm giving you the benifit of the doubt by
> sugesting that we try it out in a Mock election, and
> then allowing the voters to decide.

Actually, you're doubting our mathematical ability (and, frequently,
our integrity). But since you're willing, let's leave that to one
side and discuss the real issues.

> The supporters of this measure are being less than
> honest in bringing up endless runoffs. Those occured
> in a Comita that the Senior Consul can't even vote in,
> let alone promulgate leges in. This proposal will have
> zero effect in the Plebian assembly if the Tribunes
> don't promulgate it there, and if there have been any
> posts on thier plans to do so I missed them in the
> deluge of mail of late. In the Comitiae where the
> Senior Consul can promulgate leges we have not had
> endless runoffs.

Naturally, under the current system there are more opportunities for
run-offs in elections which have more vacancies to fill. This is one
of its flaws, and one we have looked to address.

However, to correct you on a factual point - there was a run-off in
the election for Quaestor, despite the fact that there weren't even
more candidates than vacancies. There were also a couple of run-off
elections for Praetor before even one was elected. The fact that
these have paled in to seeming insignificance when compared to the
elections for Tribune does not make them any less problematic in and
of themselves.

I obviously cannot speak for the tribunes, but I would hope that they
have been following the debate here with an eye to their own
assembly, and that whichever system persuades them, they will offer
iit to the Comitia Plebis Tributa - it is only sensible that all
assemblies should benefit from our research.

> BOTH the Fabian and the Julian proposals contain
> voting for multiple canidates, which is historic. That
> is a plus for both. It is also about the only historic
> element in your proposal. this method of voting has a
> tendancy to produce factionalism. Minor parties who
> could never achive the support of a majority are big
> advocates of it. Once you reach the stage where there
> are many factions the result is the need to form
> coalations. Some may think this sort of compramise
> will have good effects, but there is a darker side to
> it. Coalations are inheritally unstable.

I may be wrong, but I think that you've just said that the historical
aspect of both our proposal and Scaurus' idea leads to a bad thing
(unstable coalitions), at the same time as saying it is "a plus for
both". Please tell me what you mean by this.

Also, were you not amongst those who were (just a short time ago)
clamouring for the Fabian system to be eliminated from our
consideration on the basis that it would allow one faction with a
slight majority to claim all magistracies and never let go? I
believe that you have just stated the opposite position, and since
this is plainly incompatible with your earlier statements I must
assume that we have persuaded you - I am reassured that you really
have been listening to what I (and the other supporters of the Fabian
system) have been saying, and are taking it on board. (The
alternative is that you have not yet really understood the system,
and are seizing any opportunity you can to try and criticise, without
really caring about the issues involved - but far be it from me to
cast such aspersions.)

There are basically two options in electoral systems - and it is a
choice of principle rather than functionality, so for all my research
I cannot say which is objectively 'better'. It is also a choice
which is only *really* material where there is some form of party
politics, but if people insist on believing that Nova Roma is filled
with factions, we had better account for it. One view would say that
the support of 51% of the electorate entitles a given faction to all
the magistracies/posts up for election. The other is that 51%
support should give that faction 51% of the magistracies, 20% support
for another faction should give it 20% of the magistracies, etc. It
is not for me to decide which of these options our citizens believe
is the right one (and where only one or two magistracies are up for
grabs, it will have very little impact) - but I would advise anyone
who is interested to express their view.

As for your concern about coalitions:

> This can lead
> to wild shifts in the manner a nation is governed.
> Minor partners in a coalation are often able to use
> the threat of withdrawl to gain concessions far beyond
> whta could be expected from thier electorial stength.
> A good case in point is Isreal where the minor
> partners in the Likuid party's coalation have made the
> government more radical.

This is a valid concern in party politics, where members of formal
parties *have to* form coalitions in order to have the majority in a
government (and therefore the right to appoint ministers, etc). It
is also a problem when the legislative assembly is elected, and must
have a majority agreement to make laws. These are simply not issues
at stake in Nova Roma: we appoint our magistrates and vote on laws
directly, and therefore a coalition could not exist, and any informal
agreements between magistrates can be dissolved without doing any
actual damage to anyone. Magistrates in Nova Roma - much as you
would like to believe that factions are important - are individuals,
and are free to disagree with one another. There is no harm done if
the two consuls, for instance, do not agree on all (or any) points of
policy. Each will have their chance to propose laws, and the people
will decide: nothing can paralyse our government besides a veto, and
that is nothing to do with the method of election. So your concerns
are immaterial, and I honestly can't see how a coalition could exist
in Nova Roman government, let alone be problematic.

> The Fabian proposal has no safegaurds against this
> balkanization of Nova Roma politics.

The Fabian system does not need to change anything to address this,
because it is already addressed.

> As
> earlier results become known support tends to swing
> towards the leading canidates culling the weaker
> canidates from the field.

And in my personal opinion, this is a bad thing, and speaks strongly
against a fully sequential system. A candidate could have strong
support amongst the lower centuries (and be the third choice of the
first class, too) but their lower ranking early on could cause their
supporters in the lower centuries to become disheartened and not vote
for them. This, in my opinion, would be an unfortunate outcome. So
although I do see that some element of sequential voting could be
beneficial, I think that it would be possible to go too far in that
direction, and thereby disadvantage some candidates who happen to be
more popular amongst the lower centuries.

> I'm being very kind to your
> proposal when all I do is ask for a simple trial run
> in a mock election for a system who's full negative
> consequances might not be known for several years, and
> who's tendancy towards factionalism make make a reform
> of this reform impossible short of apointing a
> dictator.

This is rather melodramatic. We are not proposing to alter
magistrates' powers in any way, therefore next year's consuls (or
those of any subsequent year) could easily propose a change in the
electoral procedure if they thought it necessary. The only reason
why it is likely that reform away from the Fabian system would be a
challenge for future generations of magistrates is that, once the
people have once seen the efficacy and fairness of the Fabian system
in action, that reform would likely be highly unpopular.

As ever,

Gaia Fabia Livia.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12233 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus wrote:
> The so-called modernist
> faction has recently put forward a proposal designed to encourage
> block voting and allow the political dominance of their faction.
> Understandable, that is politics.

Understandable? That the Senior Consul's proposal for electoral
reform is designed to keep a particular faction in power would be, if
true, not so much understandable as unforgivable: therefore I deeply
resent your implications, and will say in no uncertain terms that
your accusations are groundless.

I have already made it abundantly clear that I do not consider myself
a part of any faction - modernist or otherwise - and will never do
so, even if a faction were to declare itself with the goals and
ideals which I personally hold: I support whatever ideas, pieces of
legislature, and candidates for election seem likely to result in the
best for Nova Roma, both now and into the future.

I am on the Senior Consul's staff, and I hope he finds my research
and other assistance useful. I should make it clear at this point
that I do not speak for him, or for the official position of the
Cohors Consulis as a whole (since it does not have one), but there
are some points I feel I must make.

Lately, we have worked on an electoral reform proposal, and far from
being designed to ensure the political dominance of a faction which
does not exist (and which, according to popular myth, has managed to
acquire dominance under the current system anyway), it was designed
to equip Nova Roma with a fair, efficient and *lasting* electoral
system, so that we can get on with more exciting things and not have
to worry about electoral reform again for a *very* long time.

In doing so, we may have strayed from strict historicity: so did we
in allowing women to hold magistracies. The similarities between
that case and this have been discussed ad nauseam, so I won't start
another discussion on that issue, but I do have one related thing to
add: The reason why no-one thinks that allowing women to hold office
is a *bad* step away from full historical authenticity is because it
is now widely accepted throughout the world that this is a *better*
situation.

The simple (and unfortunate) fact of the matter is that, because
electoral reform is a much more difficult business in macronations,
nations such as Britain and the U.S. have yet to 'grow up' in
electoral terms and implement a decent system. And even in those
mainland European nations which do use a fairer voting system, for
practicality they use a "list system" of proportional representation,
which requires a party system (which we, thankfully, do not have).
So nowhere in the world, to the best of my knowledge, is a nation run
along the lines we have outlined for you in the Fabian proposal.

This, I believe, is the reason why the proposal has met so much
resistance: people are not used to the idea.

It has been mentioned recently that Nova Roma does not have laws
making slavery illegal, and that whether or not a Nova Roman citizen
has slaves is down to the laws of the macronation they inhabit -
however I doubt there would be widespread objection if someone were
to propose a law to make slavery illegal for Nova Romans wherever
they live, or on our own land when we have some. This is because I
suspect that most of our citizens individually believe that slavery
is wrong: I am sorry that belief in the fairness of electoral systems
is not so widespread.

> The primary influence for anything we do here should be ancient
> Rome, followed by the traditions we have established since the
> founding of Nova Roma and followed lastly by our macronational
> influences. Cives, in order to reasonably act like Romans, think
> like Romans, BE Romans, we have to do as the Romans did. The
> republic must be restored, the culture revived before it can move
> forward to become the Rome of the 28th century that some so grandly
> speak of without thinking what that phrase means. How can the
> Republic be taken into the 28th century without going back to where
> Rome left off? We are not in the 28th century of Roman
> civilization; we are in the 21st century of the Christian era.
> There are no intervening 16 centuries of Roman history, we must
> restore what WAS as closely as possible before we think of modern
> innovations. It is useless to speculate what the Rome would look
> like had it survived into the 28th century of Rome. It didn't—it
> fell.

You've put your finger on it. Rome fell. No point in beating about
the bush. If we recreate the republic exactly, and refuse to learn
from our mistakes, what makes us so arrogant as to think that just
because we are different people (and fewer), Rome will not fall
again? The republican Romans had not lived through the fall of their
republic, and the subsequent fall of the empire which replaced it.
It has often been said that hindsight is 20/20 - we have a chance to
prove that, and use it. The Romans were not all executed, so in a
way the Roman people did survive, and still do. The future of the
Roman republic was the principate, and later I suppose the Italians.
Rome still exists, doesn't it? It is, amongst other things, where
the Pope lives.

The fact of the matter is, this is a very different world to the one
in which the Roman republic was a key player. Whatever we think of
ourselves, the world will find it hard to take us seriously if we are
more interested in reconstruction than in having a properly
functional state. Anyone can pretend to be Roman by simply doing
everything the way the Romans did it - it takes a lot more guts
(especially here!) to stand up and say "let's recreate the *best* of
the republic, and let's not be afraid to ensure the continued
survival of our nation by making some changes here and there."

We are all here because we think Rome was important: don't we think
our goals important enough that we should work out what's best for
our nation? I am not suggesting that we try to work out what Rome
might have become had it not fallen - it is pointless. Rome fell,
and the modern world *is* what has succeeded it. We aren't happy
with that. Yet we cannot go back in time and change history, so
let's work with what we've got. We have to be brave enough to make
changes from the historical model where these changes will ensure our
continued survival as a nation, and allow us to continue in to later
centuries - however we count them!

Rather than looking at precisely what the Romans did, let's look at
why they did it, and what they wanted to achieve. Solely acting as
the Romans acted is not the way to become Roman - that is the way to
role-playing games. Acting as the Romans acted, and understanding
why, and what was Roman about it - and putting the 'why' above
the 'how' if we must - is more likely to achieve that goal.

Sorry if this was rather a long rant, but I had to express my general
views on this matter, that you may all better understand my position
(should you wish to). There are plenty of macronational forums for
enjoying politics, culture or whatever with no Roman flavour, but
equally if all we are after is the ancient Roman Republic, we can
read her future in the history books without needing to relive it.

As ever,

Gaia Fabia Livia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12234 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Simulations, Mock Elections &c.
--- Gaia Fabia Livia <livia@...> wrote:
> In response to A. Apollonius Cordus, Senator L.
> Sicinius Drusus wrote:
> > Actually I'm giving you the benifit of the doubt
> by
> > sugesting that we try it out in a Mock election,
> and
> > then allowing the voters to decide.
>
> Actually, you're doubting our mathematical ability
> (and, frequently,
> our integrity). But since you're willing, let's
> leave that to one
> side and discuss the real issues.

LSD: If you want to put it that way, fine. I'm
doubting your or any one ele's ability to foresee ALL
consequances of this or any other electorial proposal.

>
> > The supporters of this measure are being less than
> > honest in bringing up endless runoffs. Those
> occured
> > in a Comita that the Senior Consul can't even vote
> in,
> > let alone promulgate leges in. This proposal will
> have
> > zero effect in the Plebian assembly if the
> Tribunes
> > don't promulgate it there, and if there have been
> any
> > posts on thier plans to do so I missed them in the
> > deluge of mail of late. In the Comitiae where the
> > Senior Consul can promulgate leges we have not had
> > endless runoffs.
>
> Naturally, under the current system there are more
> opportunities for
> run-offs in elections which have more vacancies to
> fill. This is one
> of its flaws, and one we have looked to address.
>
> However, to correct you on a factual point - there
> was a run-off in
> the election for Quaestor, despite the fact that
> there weren't even
> more candidates than vacancies. There were also a
> couple of run-off
> elections for Praetor before even one was elected.
> The fact that
> these have paled in to seeming insignificance when
> compared to the
> elections for Tribune does not make them any less
> problematic in and
> of themselves.

LSD: You are ignoring the word "endless". I didn't
claim that the ONLY place a runoff had occured was in
the Plebian Assembly. I Stated that the only ENDLESS
runoff occured there.

>
> I obviously cannot speak for the tribunes, but I
> would hope that they
> have been following the debate here with an eye to
> their own
> assembly, and that whichever system persuades them,
> they will offer
> iit to the Comitia Plebis Tributa - it is only
> sensible that all
> assemblies should benefit from our research.
>
> > BOTH the Fabian and the Julian proposals contain
> > voting for multiple canidates, which is historic.
> That
> > is a plus for both. It is also about the only
> historic
> > element in your proposal. this method of voting
> has a
> > tendancy to produce factionalism. Minor parties
> who
> > could never achive the support of a majority are
> big
> > advocates of it. Once you reach the stage where
> there
> > are many factions the result is the need to form
> > coalations. Some may think this sort of compramise
> > will have good effects, but there is a darker side
> to
> > it. Coalations are inheritally unstable.
>
> I may be wrong, but I think that you've just said
> that the historical
> aspect of both our proposal and Scaurus' idea leads
> to a bad thing
> (unstable coalitions), at the same time as saying it
> is "a plus for
> both". Please tell me what you mean by this.

LSD: being historic is good. Unstable coalations are
bad. The Historic proposal contains elements that
mitigate against factionasim, the Fabin proposal does
NOT. In Macronational Politics similar methods are
advocated by groups that have a vested intrest in
promoting Factionalism.
>
> Also, were you not amongst those who were (just a
> short time ago)
> clamouring for the Fabian system to be eliminated
> from our
> consideration on the basis that it would allow one
> faction with a
> slight majority to claim all magistracies and never
> let go?

LSD: Others stated this concern, not me. I just called
for a test run in a mock election before ANY reform
was passed, and urged that if both of the proposals
worked the Iulian proposal should be adopted as the
option that fits Nova Roma's Constionual mandate.

Your side in this debate is the one where everyone is
presenting the exact same arguments.


> I
> believe that you have just stated the opposite
> position, and since
> this is plainly incompatible with your earlier
> statements I must
> assume that we have persuaded you - I am reassured
> that you really
> have been listening to what I (and the other
> supporters of the Fabian
> system) have been saying, and are taking it on
> board. (The
> alternative is that you have not yet really
> understood the system,
> and are seizing any opportunity you can to try and
> criticise, without
> really caring about the issues involved - but far be
> it from me to
> cast such aspersions.)
>
> There are basically two options in electoral systems
> - and it is a
> choice of principle rather than functionality, so
> for all my research
> I cannot say which is objectively 'better'. It is
> also a choice
> which is only *really* material where there is some
> form of party
> politics, but if people insist on believing that
> Nova Roma is filled
> with factions, we had better account for it. One
> view would say that
> the support of 51% of the electorate entitles a
> given faction to all
> the magistracies/posts up for election. The other
> is that 51%
> support should give that faction 51% of the
> magistracies, 20% support
> for another faction should give it 20% of the
> magistracies, etc. It
> is not for me to decide which of these options our
> citizens believe
> is the right one (and where only one or two
> magistracies are up for
> grabs, it will have very little impact) - but I
> would advise anyone
> who is interested to express their view.
>
> As for your concern about coalitions:
>
> > This can lead
> > to wild shifts in the manner a nation is governed.
> > Minor partners in a coalation are often able to
> use
> > the threat of withdrawl to gain concessions far
> beyond
> > whta could be expected from thier electorial
> stength.
> > A good case in point is Isreal where the minor
> > partners in the Likuid party's coalation have made
> the
> > government more radical.
>
> This is a valid concern in party politics, where
> members of formal
> parties *have to* form coalitions in order to have
> the majority in a
> government (and therefore the right to appoint
> ministers, etc). It
> is also a problem when the legislative assembly is
> elected, and must
> have a majority agreement to make laws. These are
> simply not issues
> at stake in Nova Roma: we appoint our magistrates
> and vote on laws
> directly, and therefore a coalition could not exist,
> and any informal
> agreements between magistrates can be dissolved
> without doing any
> actual damage to anyone. Magistrates in Nova Roma -
> much as you
> would like to believe that factions are important -
> are individuals,
> and are free to disagree with one another. There is
> no harm done if
> the two consuls, for instance, do not agree on all
> (or any) points of
> policy. Each will have their chance to propose
> laws, and the people
> will decide: nothing can paralyse our government
> besides a veto, and
> that is nothing to do with the method of election.
> So your concerns
> are immaterial, and I honestly can't see how a
> coalition could exist
> in Nova Roman government, let alone be problematic.

LSD: Organized Factions that strike deals with
canidates in return for support during an election are
a danger. Organized Factions that strike deals for
votes in the Comitia on Leges are a danger.

Our Comitae contain about as many voters as most
paralementry systems contain representaives. The
mechanics of factions controlling the votes of thier
members in a Comita will be similar to those of
Organized parties controlling the swing votes in a
Paralementry system with many parties.

Your "Modern" voting system contains the danger of
introducing "Modern" political parties into Nova Roma.
>
> > The Fabian proposal has no safegaurds against this
> > balkanization of Nova Roma politics.
>
> The Fabian system does not need to change anything
> to address this,
> because it is already addressed.

LSD: No it is being ignored, because the supporters of
the Fabian system have reached a conculsion that it is
"ideal" and incapable of having any problems.

>
> > As
> > earlier results become known support tends to
> swing
> > towards the leading canidates culling the weaker
> > canidates from the field.
>
> And in my personal opinion, this is a bad thing, and
> speaks strongly
> against a fully sequential system. A candidate
> could have strong
> support amongst the lower centuries (and be the
> third choice of the
> first class, too) but their lower ranking early on
> could cause their
> supporters in the lower centuries to become
> disheartened and not vote
> for them. This, in my opinion, would be an
> unfortunate outcome. So
> although I do see that some element of sequential
> voting could be
> beneficial, I think that it would be possible to go
> too far in that
> direction, and thereby disadvantage some candidates
> who happen to be
> more popular amongst the lower centuries.

LSD: The Roman system was one of checks and balances
between Democratic, Arsticratic, and Monarchial
elements. The Checks and balances prevented the
excesses that are possible under any of these systems
from occuring for hundreds of years. When the Grachii
distrurbed that balance by attempting to increase the
Democratic element the Republic entered a 100 year
long confict that resulted in it's destruction. The
Gracchii didn't set out to make Roma a Monarchy, but
thier actions set off a train of events that resulted
in an Imperial Monarchy that destroyed the Democratic
element of the Roman government.

The citizens in the lower centuries have a great deal
of power in the tribal assemblies. They have the
numbers to outvote the citizens in the higher
centuries. Increasing thier strength in the Centuries
upsets the system of checks and balances.

>
> > I'm being very kind to your
> > proposal when all I do is ask for a simple trial
> run
> > in a mock election for a system who's full
> negative
> > consequances might not be known for several years,
> and
> > who's tendancy towards factionalism make make a
> reform
> > of this reform impossible short of apointing a
> > dictator.
>
> This is rather melodramatic. We are not proposing
> to alter
> magistrates' powers in any way, therefore next
> year's consuls (or
> those of any subsequent year) could easily propose a
> change in the
> electoral procedure if they thought it necessary.

LSD: Promulgating a lex is one thing. having it pass
is another. Once the factons exist they will have a
vested intrest in continuing a system that promotes
it, and will reject reforms that correct it.

> The only reason
> why it is likely that reform away from the Fabian
> system would be a
> challenge for future generations of magistrates is
> that, once the
> people have once seen the efficacy and fairness of
> the Fabian system
> in action, that reform would likely be highly
> unpopular.

LSD: I Can think of few things that are more unfair
than entering an organization that was set up for one
purpose and attempting to use it for your own ends.
Nova Roma wasn't created so you would have a testbed
for modern socal theory. You are being VERY unfair by
engaging in constant introduction of modern concepts
that have nothing to do with our purpose of recreating
the Roman State.

If you were REALLY fair, you would start a new
organization dedicated to setting up a Micronation
along modern political theory instead of attempting to
hijack an existing organization that was founded for
other purposes.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12235 From: Gaia Fabia Livia Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: A Simple Question
Tiberius Galerius Paulinus wrote:

> If either side in the ongoing debate, on the proposed Lex or Gens
> reform , won their arguments would that bring us any closer to
> seeing a new Rome in the modern world and would it get us our 108
> acre site we are all working toward ?

No, it wouldn't. Someone buying 108 acres of land and donating them
to Nova Roma would help us to get that site - very little else will.
The reason I argue so vehemently for the electoral reforms I support
is that I believe that there is very little point in having a site
without a funtioning system of government to go with it. Lots of
people own land - in smaller or greater quantities - but that does
not make them a nation. Once we have a seriously functional system
of elections, and a law code to go with them, then we can consider
ourselves to have acheived something far greater than a small parcel
of land - and the land will come in time. But we, as a nation, are
more likely to make it to that date with decent legislation.

As ever,

Gaia Fabia Livia
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12236 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Musings on Modernists vs. Restorationists et al
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Gaia Fabia Livia" <livia@s...>
wrote:
> Decius Iunius Palladius Invictus wrote:
> > The so-called modernist
> > faction has recently put forward a proposal designed to encourage
> > block voting and allow the political dominance of their faction.
> > Understandable, that is politics.
>
> Understandable? That the Senior Consul's proposal for electoral
> reform is designed to keep a particular faction in power would be,
if
> true, not so much understandable as unforgivable: therefore I
deeply
> resent your implications, and will say in no uncertain terms that
> your accusations are groundless.
>
> I have already made it abundantly clear that I do not consider
myself ......

Snip for space but carefully read.

Salve Gaia!

Well, what more can one say? Bravo! Well thought out and expressed,
very understandable.

Respectfully,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus





>
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12237 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: The Factions
Salvete Quirites,

There has been a talk about my use of the term
"faction", complete with denials of belonging to any
faction.

This is what I mean when I use the term.

There aren't any organnized factons in Nova Roma
(yet).

There has been an ongoing dispute over Nova Roma's
direction, should we be a "Modern" Micronation, or
should we follow the ancient model as closely as
possible.

In this dispute there are some citizens who can be
counted on to support allmost any introduction of
Modern Ideas. There are other citizens who can be
counted on to support traditional Ideas.

These two groups might not be formally organized, but
thier existance is real and it has the same effect on
our policies as if they were formal organizations.

We have unoffical and unorganized "Modernist" and
"Traditionalist" groups. It dosen't matter if you call
them factions, parties, camps or any other name, the
effect is the same.

Since these groups have the same effects on Nova Roma
as organized factions, that is the term I apply to
them.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12238 From: MarcusAudens@webtv.net Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Senator Drusus;

You have neglected to mention the third group of Citizens who see
themselves as independents, and who strive to belong to niether of your
"factions."

These are citizens who patiently review the options provided, consider
the points put forward and choose (without allegiance or preversity) to
support those ideas with which they agree and oppose those with which
they disagree. This is undertaken without providing any one advantage
except that of furthering Nova Roma in the best possible way, for the
most number of citizens.

Very often these nuetral citizes have no political axe to grind, and no
desire to control the institution or individuals within the institution
for thier own purposes. They generally are involved because they see
worth in the institutin and wish to help it along without reward,
special recognition or indeed any particular satisfaction offered by
those who desire control.

These are the people who will support the proposals that they feel are
right and proper for the institution, and who serve no individual as
client or master.

I believe that there are some such here in Nova Roma, and it is with
them that I prefer to cast my lot.

Respectfully;

Marcus Minucius Audens
Nova Roman Citizen

A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind follows fast, and fills the
white and rustling sail, and bends the gallant mast; and bends the
gallant mast my boys while like the eagle free, our good ship starts and
flies and leaves old England on our lee------Fair Winds and following
Seas!!!
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12239 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Salvete,

On Sun, Jun 29, 2003 at 10:29:35AM -0700, L. Sicinius Drusus wrote:
> Salvete Quirites,
>
> There has been a talk about my use of the term
> "faction", complete with denials of belonging to any
> faction.
>
> This is what I mean when I use the term.
>
> There aren't any organnized factons in Nova Roma
> (yet).
>
> There has been an ongoing dispute over Nova Roma's
> direction, should we be a "Modern" Micronation, or
> should we follow the ancient model as closely as
> possible.
>
> In this dispute there are some citizens who can be
> counted on to support allmost any introduction of
> Modern Ideas. There are other citizens who can be
> counted on to support traditional Ideas.
>
> These two groups might not be formally organized, but
> thier existance is real and it has the same effect on
> our policies as if they were formal organizations.
>
> We have unoffical and unorganized "Modernist" and
> "Traditionalist" groups. It dosen't matter if you call
> them factions, parties, camps or any other name, the
> effect is the same.
>
> Since these groups have the same effects on Nova Roma
> as organized factions, that is the term I apply to
> them.

What you fail to take into account is the very stand that has been
espoused by people who have spoken out against the use of the term,
myself included. I support those ideas which, in my opinion, will allow
Nova Roma to prosper and grow; if they are the same as the ideas of our
spiritual ancestors, well and good - I will support them. If someone has
managed to improve on those ideas and make them viable in the world we
live in, well and good - I will support those.

Non-viable, dead ideas benefit no one. Attempting to adhere to them just
because they worked in the long-ago past regardless of whether they work
today or not is simply not a sane policy.


Valete,
Caius Minucius Scaevola
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Concordia parvae res crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur.
Through unity the small thing grows, through disunity the largest thing crumbles.
-- Sallust, "Jugurtha"
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12240 From: Caius Minucius Scaevola Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Salve, Amice!

On Sun, Jun 29, 2003 at 03:05:39PM -0400, MarcusAudens@... wrote:
> Senator Drusus;
>
> You have neglected to mention the third group of Citizens who see
> themselves as independents, and who strive to belong to niether of your
> "factions."
>
> These are citizens who patiently review the options provided, consider
> the points put forward and choose (without allegiance or preversity) to
> support those ideas with which they agree and oppose those with which
> they disagree. This is undertaken without providing any one advantage
> except that of furthering Nova Roma in the best possible way, for the
> most number of citizens.
>
> Very often these nuetral citizes have no political axe to grind, and no
> desire to control the institution or individuals within the institution
> for thier own purposes. They generally are involved because they see
> worth in the institutin and wish to help it along without reward,
> special recognition or indeed any particular satisfaction offered by
> those who desire control.
>
> These are the people who will support the proposals that they feel are
> right and proper for the institution, and who serve no individual as
> client or master.
>
> I believe that there are some such here in Nova Roma, and it is with
> them that I prefer to cast my lot.
>
> Respectfully;
>
> Marcus Minucius Audens
> Nova Roman Citizen

Heh. I find it highly amusing (but not at all surprising) that our two
posts have popped up at pretty much the same time and say almost exactly
the same thing.

Oh, WAIT! I'll bet I know what happened... we're a *faction*, and had
this planned all along! Yeah, that's the ticket...

<chuckle>


With my utmost respects,

Vale,
Caius Minucius Scaevola
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
Fortune favours the brave.
-- Terence, "Phormio"
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12241 From: Christine Schofield Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Chariot Racing
Salve Gai Corneli Ahenobarbe,

I have just got back from the Roman Festival at Chester. I did take some
photos and just hope some of them will be worthwhile. I'll let you know
once I've had a chance to sort through them.

It was a really enjoyable day, much like the Roman Days that were held
recently, only on a smaller scale. Many aspects of Roman life were
featured, but the chariot race was definitely the crowd's favourite.,
with the gladiator fights a close second,

The horses and drivers were from a film stunt team. One set of horses
were those "driven" by Orlando Bloom in the new film on the Trojan War.
They had all been used as carriage horses in the film Nicholas Nickleby.
Very stage managed, of course, and perhaps not 100% on authenticity, but
great fun with charioteers fighting with whips, wheels coming off
chariots and allegations of dirty tricks!

Vale,

Gaia Flavia Aureliana

-----Original Message-----
From: Gaius Cornelius Ahenobarbus [mailto:ahenobarbus@...]
Sent: 27 June 2003 19:32
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Chariot Racing


Gaia Flavia, if you could please please please take some photos, we'd
forever be in your debt...

> Salve Omnes;
> one of the cives in the NR course, Gaia Flavia of Britannica,tells
>that there will be chariot racing at the racetrack in Chester, with
>full Roman dress.

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12242 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Paterfamilis (was Modernist and Traditonalist Factions)
> LSD: WHERE are the Cornelians Senator? They haven't
> submited resignations, but they also aren't taking
> part in the affairs Nova Roma like they were before
> you started your crusade. You were warned, repeatadly,
> that your actions could result in Nova Roma losing
> citizens, and you persisted, blind to anything other
> than your new status as Nova Roma's "Freedom Crusader"

My actions? I participated on a debate that was almost entirely on
the Senate list, of which only two Cornelii were a part.

If someone was leaking information onto a gens' private mailing list,
then it is *that* person who is responsible for their departure.

I will not be held responsible for the opinions formed by people on
a private mailing list where I had no access, nor for any bad
decisions they made because of misinformation.


--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12243 From: Fortunatus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Block Voting (was Musings...)
Salvete Deci Iuni omnesque

> LOL Fascists and Reactionaries? Covering all bases?

But of course.

> You left out Radicals for this group.

Ah, yes. So I did. Actually, I just stopped at three for both groups,
and chose some of the less inflammatory names that came to mind.

> And don't you think Reactionaries fits here as well?

No. Reactionaries are defined by their extreme conservatism and
opposition to progress.

> You are a fair man, Fortunate, and I agree with you to some extent. I
> have been genuinely surprised by the positions of some
> the "Modernists," especially privately, that there was a dedication
> to reviving tradition among them and to Rome.

Unfortunately, the fact that neither side is evil often gets lost during
the rounds of name-calling and accusation-slinging.

> Perhaps I am just naturally suspicious and believe things are never
> what they seem or are purported to be. I knew the purpose of the old
> system, so a system proposed by the dominant faction which allowed
> block voting seemed to me an attempt to solidify power by that
> faction. I told Consul Quintilianus that when I first saw his bill
> several months ago in the CAM. Perhaps it is not intentional but it
> is a definite byproduct.

Had you said, "It seems to me..." or "I think...", I wouldn't have
objected to your assertion. However, when someone--especially a
praetor--bluntly alleges that a group is attempting to effectively take
over the Res Publica, I generally expect to see a trial for maiestas
convened in the near future. At the very least, I hope to see some
proof. That said, I've certainly stuck similar feet into my own virtual
mouth before.

In any case, at least according to the evidence I've seen, that
byproduct is the direct result of wanting to incorporate more of the
historical practice in our election procedures, and nothing more.

> I fully acknowledge that the Iulian proposal will allow block voting
> and could allow factional domination. However, as it is a somewhat
> close approximation of a historical system, I am willing to take that
> chance because the more we act as the Romans did, the more we will
> become like them. I think that at heart many "modernists" want to
> emulate the ancients but just don't think it "practical." The more
> they see it can be done somewhat practically I think they will want
> to follow the ancient example in more things.

Ages ago (at least it seems that way), I said that I thought that the
central tension in Nova Roma was between what to keep of the old and
what to include of the new. Five years later, we're still arguing over
where to draw that ever-so-fuzzy line.

Valete
T Labienus Fortunatus
--
"Use every man after his desert, and who shall escape whipping? Use
them after your own honor and dignity. The less they deserve, the more
merit is in your bounty."
-Shakespeare
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12244 From: curiobritannicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Salvete omnes,

Drusus, you have said that there are two factions in NR, albeit
unorganised ones; a Traditionalist faction and a Modernist Faction.
Audens, you have correctly added that there are also independents.

However, these three labels are little more than that - labels. You
both say that you are independents, which of course means that you
think for yourself and decide what the best course of action is based
on the merits of each.

I just thought I would point out that the two "factions" usually have
the same thought processes. For instance, if I had to choose, I
would lean slightly towards the "modernist" faction. But that
doesn't mean that I will unthinkingly go for the more modern option
in each case. Sometimes I will opt for an entirely different view
than other modernists, so we're not really a faction as such, not
even a disorganised one.

Instead, it's just that the "modernists" insofar as a person can be
judged as such, have views that are similar in certain ways.

Just thought I'd point this out.

Bene valete,
Marcus Scribonius Curio Britannicus.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12245 From: me-in-@disguise.co.uk Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Paterfamilias - a language question
Familias is the ancient Genitive Singular, same as in Greek. Latin at the time of Classical Greek, say 300BCE was very different from Classical. Greek changed little except in pronunciation because of the respect Athens was held in, much as English spelling has changed little in 600 years of printing while pronunciation is different altogether. The plural is Patresfamilias because each Pater can only be father to one family, therefore Singular.
This remains a feature of most languages except English, that where one thing applies as a singular to one other, when one becomes plural it does not take the other with it while in Engliah it does. One man and his dog, 99 men and their dog, unless each man has more than one dog. I came unstuck on this in a Sanskrit exercise referring to men and their wives: polygamous society!

Caeasriensis

-----Original Message-----
From : “=?iso-8859-1?q?A.=20Apollonius=20Cordus?=“ <cordus@...>
To : Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Date : 29 June 2003 00:40:33
Subject : [Nova-Roma] Paterfamilias - a language question
A. Apollonius Cordus to all citizens and peregrines,
>greetings.
>
>
>My dictionary (a small an inadequate one, since I am
>away from home) tells me that the genetive of
>'paterfamilias' is 'patrisfamilias'. But what is the
>plural, I wondered. Logically one would expect that
>both the 'pater' part *and* the 'familia' part would
>go into the plural, since one cannot have multiple
>patres of a single familia. However, 'familia' (again
>according to my little Collins) is a first declension
>noun, meaning that 'familias' must surely be the
>accusative plural. But if so, what kind of a
>construction is 'paterfamilias'? It seems to make no
>grammatical sense.
>



--
Personalised email by http://another.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12246 From: M Arminius Maior Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
Salve

--- Stephen Gallagher <spqr753@...> escreveu: >
Salve Romans
>
> I know the ( Dreaded word coming) census will fix
> this once and for all (fingers crossed) but in the
> last couple of weeks the population as recorded on
> the web site has gone for 1770+/- to 1500+/- to
> 1900+/-? Any reason for this radical shift down then
> way up?

M.Arminius: Since the Censores are constantly
approving new citizens to our Res Publica, our
population didnt decreased, this could be a mistake.
The "current population" in the main site isnt
automatic, it needs to be directly update from time to
time. To have the current number of our cives, go to
the "Album Civium" (this album is automatic, that is,
if the Censores accept a new citizen, he immediately
is adde to the Alb.Civium):
http://www.novaroma.org/bin/view/cives

So, our current population is 1938 cives, not 1928 as
the main page indicates. Probably Nova Roma will see
the MM (2000th) citizen in July.

> Vale
> Tiberius Galerius Paulinus

Vale
Marcus Arminius

_______________________________________________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12247 From: Kristoffer From Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
M Arminius Maior wrote:
> --- Stephen Gallagher <spqr753@...> escreveu:
> > I know the ( Dreaded word coming) census will fix
> > this once and for all (fingers crossed) but in the
> > last couple of weeks the population as recorded on
> > the web site has gone for 1770+/- to 1500+/- to
> > 1900+/-? Any reason for this radical shift down then
> > way up?
>
> M.Arminius: Since the Censores are constantly
> approving new citizens to our Res Publica, our
> population didnt decreased, this could be a mistake.
> The "current population" in the main site isnt
> automatic, it needs to be directly update from time to
> time.

Salvete, Marce Armini Maior et Tiberi Galeri Pauline.

The error would be mine. At some point, an old version of the main page
got modified and put in place. In the process, the old citizen count
(1500something) replaced the more current (1700something), only to just
recently be updated to the then-current count (1928).

Valete, Titus Octavius Pius.
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12248 From: Marcus Octavius Germanicus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
> > I know the ( Dreaded word coming) census will fix
> > this once and for all (fingers crossed) but in the
> > last couple of weeks the population as recorded on
> > the web site has gone for 1770+/- to 1500+/- to
> > 1900+/-? Any reason for this radical shift down then
> > way up?
>
> M.Arminius: Since the Censores are constantly
> approving new citizens to our Res Publica, our
> population didnt decreased, this could be a mistake.

This is correct; the population never actually went down.

Because the main page is static, the number changes only whenever
someone thinks to do it (usually, whenever I get mail complaining
that it hasn't changed in two months...), and it's imbedded in the
page itself, not pulled from the database.

When it recently went down, it was probably because one of the
many people who work on the site made a change to the main page,
and did it from an old copy rather than the current copy. Harmless,
though slightly confusing.

Vale, O.

--
Marcus Octavius Germanicus,
Censor, Consular, Citizen.
http://cynico.net/~hucke/
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12249 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, Tribuna Diana Moravia.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "Diana Moravia Aventina"
<diana@p...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

>> You even claim that your "faction" is founded around the defense
>> of Roman tradition, while you have dubbed your political oponents
>> as "modernists".
>
> I see that D Iunius' name has been added to the list of citizens in
> the 'faction', along with L Cornelius and Q Fabius.

In fact, it is D. Iunius Palladius himself the one who claims to be a
member of a "faction". If you pay closer attention, you will see that
I always use the term "faction" between brackets, because I am not at
all sure that it is being used correctly.

> But as you (plural) point your fingers and name names, don't forget
> to mention that these 3 gentlemen were citizens from nearly day one
> of this micronation. If it weren't for their persistence, there
> probably would not be a Nova Roma to bicker in as we have now.

I would prefer it if you actually addressed your message to whomever
it is directed, given that I am not a plural collective.
Besides that, I explicitly recognized D. Iunius Palladius's past
merits. I just pointed out that, in the past, D. Iunius Palladius had
had the opportunity to shape a more traditional Nova Roma.

<<snipped>>

> One does not have to be in any faction in order to oppose proposal's
> presented by the current administration. To speak one's mind and
> oppose a proposal is the right of *all* citizens of Nova Roma.

I agree with that, and I remind you that it is D. Iunius Palladius
the one who claims to belong to a certain "faction".

> None of the gentlemen mentioned in this 'faction' can veto anything
> proposed by the Senior Consul. They can bark, but they can't bite,
> so the current administration really can't worry about their
> proposals being blocked at every turn. The Senior Consul called a
> vote on only one item this year-- the Census Law, which passed. So
> verbal opposition didn't hold it back. We are waiting for a call
> to vote on his second proposal, the electoral reform.
> Again if the citizens feel it is a good idea, the item will pass.
> If they don't, it won't pass but that will be the will of the
> people.

All that is true, of course. But I simply think that opposing a
certain proposal just because it has been proposed by a certain
person is *not* the right thing to do. A proposal's true merits (and
flaws) should be examined. In that way, Nova Roma can benefit from a
constructive criticism.

> But whom do you include when you say 'the current administration"?
> Are you including the Curule Aediles and their edicta as well???
> Many citizens were against them because if you recall, *as written*
> those edicts gave the Aediles the right to create a secret police
> with authority to conduct secret investigations within Nova Roma.
> But put the blame where blame is due: the Tribunes for unanimously
> vetoing their edicta.

If I recall correctly, the senior consul issued an intercessio before
the tribuni plebis did it.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12250 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Question on population numbers
--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, Kristoffer From <from@d...> wrote:
>
> The error would be mine. At some point, an old version of the main
page
> got modified and put in place. In the process, the old citizen count
> (1500something) replaced the more current (1700something), only to
just
> recently be updated to the then-current count (1928).
>
> Valete, Titus Octavius Pius.

Salvete omnes,

That looks encouraging; we're getting about 30 new citizens per
month. I thought from the main list here we were getting about 6
people per month. Maybe quite a few are not anouncing themselves or
they and their pater familiae aren't part of the ML. Thanks for the
data!


Regards,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12251 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
--- curiobritannicus
<Marcusaemiliusscaurus@...> wrote:
> Salvete omnes,
>
> Drusus, you have said that there are two factions in
> NR, albeit
> unorganised ones; a Traditionalist faction and a
> Modernist Faction.
> Audens, you have correctly added that there are also
> independents.
>
> However, these three labels are little more than
> that - labels. You
> both say that you are independents, which of course
> means that you
> think for yourself and decide what the best course
> of action is based
> on the merits of each.
>
> I just thought I would point out that the two
> "factions" usually have
> the same thought processes. For instance, if I had
> to choose, I
> would lean slightly towards the "modernist" faction.
> But that
> doesn't mean that I will unthinkingly go for the
> more modern option
> in each case. Sometimes I will opt for an entirely
> different view
> than other modernists, so we're not really a faction
> as such, not
> even a disorganised one.
>
> Instead, it's just that the "modernists" insofar as
> a person can be
> judged as such, have views that are similar in
> certain ways.
>
> Just thought I'd point this out.
>
> Bene valete,
> Marcus Scribonius Curio Britannicus.
>

I'm not claiming that we have two groups of programed
zombies. In adition to the independants in the middle
we have two groups of citizens who tend to go for a
modern or a traditional way allmost every time we face
a choice.

If there are 10 proposals made and citizen "A"
supports the modernist view in 8 of them, then "A" can
be regarded as being in the Modernist Faction, or
Wing, or Party, or Kazoo Band.

Ignoring this aspect of Nova Roma won't make it go
away. Applying a warm fuzzy feel good label won't
change it's nature.

For all practical purposes there are two factions in
Nova Roma vieing for the support of the independants
in the middle.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12252 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> Praetor, you have continued to use that remark over and over to
> avoid discussing Eletorial reforms.
>
> The Traditionalists support the concept of Gens reform, just not
> the plan that was presented last year. It's flaws have been pointed
> out many times.

As far as I recall, the members of your "faction" were not exactly
supporting the concept of gens reform last year. I would rather say
that they were dead set against it.

Even today, you sir seem to oscilate between mildly supporting a gens
reform in general (without speaking about particulars) and denying
the need of a gens reform, depending on the hour of the day. In any
case, what you are *never* doing is offering a constructive
criticism. When you criticize last year's proposal, what you are
basically saying is: "Since your historically correct reform proposal
is not perfect from my point of view, I would rather not have any
reform at all and keep our completely unhistorical system as it is."

That does not seem like a true defender of Roman Tradition speaking.
A true defender of Roman Tradition would be on the other side of the
fence, trying to promote a historical gens reform.

> Are you ready to support a lex based on Scaurus' proposal, one that
> is far more historic than the Consul's proposal?

The truth is that I would support a proposal based on C. Iulius
Scaurus's suggestions (I wouldn't call his words a proposal, since
they were not spelt that way). But since we are talking about C.
Iulius Scaurus's excellent ideas, I would like to remind you that he
has also presented a description of how Nova Roma's gens system
should be; a description you have chosen to ignore so far:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/11975

I would support legislation based on this set of ideas. Would you,
senator?

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12253 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites,
>
> There has been a talk about my use of the term
> "faction", complete with denials of belonging to any
> faction.
>
> This is what I mean when I use the term.
>
> There aren't any organnized factons in Nova Roma
> (yet).
>
> There has been an ongoing dispute over Nova Roma's
> direction, should we be a "Modern" Micronation, or
> should we follow the ancient model as closely as
> possible.
>
> In this dispute there are some citizens who can be
> counted on to support allmost any introduction of
> Modern Ideas. There are other citizens who can be
> counted on to support traditional Ideas.
>
> These two groups might not be formally organized, but
> thier existance is real and it has the same effect on
> our policies as if they were formal organizations.
>
> We have unoffical and unorganized "Modernist" and
> "Traditionalist" groups. It dosen't matter if you call
> them factions, parties, camps or any other name, the
> effect is the same.
>
> Since these groups have the same effects on Nova Roma
> as organized factions, that is the term I apply to
> them.
>
>
> =====
> L. Sicinius Drusus
>
> Roman Citizen

For several days, you have bombarded our citizenship with the idea
that there are two distinct ideological groups in Nova Roma: a group
that wants to uphold Roman tradition (represented by you and your
friends) and a group that wants to destroy Roman traditions
(represented by those who do not support your political ideas).

That tactic is, of course, as old as the world.
Who wouldn't want to uphold Roman tradition in a place called "Nova
Roma"? It is clear that you will gain many supporters by simply
stating that you support Roman tradition. Before you, the inventors
of terms like "anti-americanism", "infidels", "imperialists" or "anti-
revolutionaries" followed the same pattern.

Who cares if you and your friends actually oppose those proposals
that would bring Nova Roma closer to Roman Tradition? Who cares if
you and your friends did nothing to uphold Roman Tradition when you
had the chance? The only important thing is to repeat well aloud and
many times that you and your friends support Roman Tradition, long
week-ends and marshmallows and the voters will swallow it.

I personally think that you are wrong, and that the citizens of Nova
Roma will not swallow it. They didn't swallow it last year when, for
the first time in Nova Roma's history, your "faction" lost an
election.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12254 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
>
> <<snipped>>
>
> > Praetor, you have continued to use that remark
> over and over to
> > avoid discussing Eletorial reforms.
> >
> > The Traditionalists support the concept of Gens
> reform, just not
> > the plan that was presented last year. It's flaws
> have been pointed
> > out many times.
>
> As far as I recall, the members of your "faction"
> were not exactly
> supporting the concept of gens reform last year. I
> would rather say
> that they were dead set against it.
>

LSD: Suporting the concept, and supporting a hastely
thrown togather proposal are two different things
Senator. I Have been supporting the concept for the
past two years.

> Even today, you sir seem to oscilate between mildly
> supporting a gens
> reform in general (without speaking about
> particulars) and denying
> the need of a gens reform, depending on the hour of
> the day. In any
> case, what you are *never* doing is offering a
> constructive
> criticism. When you criticize last year's proposal,
> what you are
> basically saying is: "Since your historically
> correct reform proposal
> is not perfect from my point of view, I would rather
> not have any
> reform at all and keep our completely unhistorical
> system as it is."


LSD: Reforming our Gens system is going to be a
painful process. It affects many citizens basic
interactions in Nova Roma. I Haven't lost sight of
that human element.

Nova Roma's citizens aren't lead figures that can be
rearranged. They are human beings, and Gens reform
that ignores that aspect will cost us citizens.

Reform needs to be done right the first time, not
drawn out in a torturous process that interupts
citizens basic interactions over and over.

>
> That does not seem like a true defender of Roman
> Tradition speaking.
> A true defender of Roman Tradition would be on the
> other side of the
> fence, trying to promote a historical gens reform.
>
> > Are you ready to support a lex based on Scaurus'
> proposal, one that
> > is far more historic than the Consul's proposal?
>
> The truth is that I would support a proposal based
> on C. Iulius
> Scaurus's suggestions (I wouldn't call his words a
> proposal, since
> they were not spelt that way). But since we are
> talking about C.
> Iulius Scaurus's excellent ideas, I would like to
> remind you that he
> has also presented a description of how Nova Roma's
> gens system
> should be; a description you have chosen to ignore
> so far:
>
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/11975
>
> I would support legislation based on this set of
> ideas. Would you,
> senator?
>
LSD: Just because I haven't spoken out on his proposal
in this forum dosen't mean it is being ignored. This
list isn't the only means of communication between
citizens.

On the whole Giaus Iulius sugestions were excellent.
Once the details of framing them into a lex ready to
be presented to a Comitia are complete I will speak
out on it in this forum.

Leges based on Giaus Iulius' proposals could either be
the best thing that could happen to Nova Roma, or a
complete disaster, depending on how they are framed. I
Will not comit myself to supporting ANY lex before I
read the text, no matter who proposes it. The devil is
in the details.

I will go this far however. Both of his outlines COULD
form the basis for outstanding laws that I would
support.



=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12255 From: StarVVreck@aol.com Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
Salve L. Sicinius Drusus,

I do remember that on the original mainlist we were paying a monthly fee to
remove the advertisements in the email. I would assume that the fee also gave
the original mainlist unlimited space. Are we paying a simmilar fee for the
new mainlist?

Vale,

Iulius Titinius Antonius


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12256 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus" said:

<<snipped>>

> Suporting the concept, and supporting a hastely
> thrown togather proposal are two different things
> Senator. I Have been supporting the concept for the
> past two years.

I wouldn't call a proposal that has been discussed for such a long
time by so many people a "hastely thrown together proposal". I have
seen legislative proposals (badly) thought and written in a very
short period of time, but I didn't see you opposing them.

In any case, this is not enough. When someone claims to support a
concept, one should do something to actively support it. I have never
seen a proposal for gens reform coming from your "faction", senator.

<<snipped>>

> LSD: Reforming our Gens system is going to be a painful process. It
> affects many citizens basic interactions in Nova Roma. I Haven't
> lost sight of that human element.
>
> Nova Roma's citizens aren't lead figures that can be rearranged.
> They are human beings, and Gens reform that ignores that aspect
> will cost us citizens.
>
> Reform needs to be done right the first time, not drawn out in a
> torturous process that interupts citizens basic interactions over
> and over.

All that is quite true, of course. But the fact is that you have been
so careful that you have done *nothing* in this field for years,
except attacking the proposals presented by other people.

> LSD: Just because I haven't spoken out on his proposal in this
> forum dosen't mean it is being ignored. This list isn't the only
> means of communication between citizens.

But meanwhile, you have appropriated C. Iulius Scaurus's suggestions
on election reform to attack the senior consul's proposal (not taking
into account that perhaps -just perhaps- the senior consul is also
discussing about C. Iulius Scaurus's suggestions through other means
of communication between citizens).

Of course, you couldn't use Scaurus's gens reform proposal to attack
the senior consul, could you? What was it good for then?

> On the whole Giaus Iulius sugestions were excellent. Once the
> details of framing them into a lex ready to be presented to a
> Comitia are complete I will speak out on it in this forum.
>
> Leges based on Giaus Iulius' proposals could either be the best
> thing that could happen to Nova Roma, or a complete disaster,
> depending on how they are framed. I Will not comit myself to
> supporting ANY lex before I read the text, no matter who proposes
> it. The devil is in the details.
>
> I will go this far however. Both of his outlines COULD form the
> basis for outstanding laws that I would support.

All those doubts are worrying me. Since you claim that a love for
detail has kept you from actively looking for a gens reform for all
these years, I am beginnig to think that we will never have a
historical voting system either, if it is left to you.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12257 From: David John White Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Salve from a new citizen
Salve
I admire the dedication and enthusiasm of Nova Roma's
citizens in recreating not only the technical structure, ideas and
philosophy of Rome but allowing everybody to see and feel Roman life.
Even smell and taste it if they eat the food.
Roman laws, virtues, natural religion and its family values are a
good basis for any community in the modern world.
Perhaps we can guide more of the lost souls of today's greedy
barbaric society to live well, respect each other, work hard and live
in harmony with nature.
The Nova Roma site is extensive and well structured with much of
interest both to Citizens and enthusiasts from outside.
It would be nice to do more extensive recreations of Roman life.
Maybe a farm producing food the Roman way or small ecologically sound
communities.
I look forward to Citizenship in a strong and growing Republic.
Vale,

Drusus Maxentus Silvanus

P.S
Do we have Environmental policies or guidelines for life or future
businesses?
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12258 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus" said:
>
> <<snipped>>
>
> > Suporting the concept, and supporting a hastely
> > thrown togather proposal are two different things
> > Senator. I Have been supporting the concept for
> the
> > past two years.
>
> I wouldn't call a proposal that has been discussed
> for such a long
> time by so many people a "hastely thrown together
> proposal". I have
> seen legislative proposals (badly) thought and
> written in a very
> short period of time, but I didn't see you opposing
> them.
>
> In any case, this is not enough. When someone claims
> to support a
> concept, one should do something to actively support
> it. I have never
> seen a proposal for gens reform coming from your
> "faction", senator.

LSD: Then you haven't looked very hard Senator. As
recently as last July I drafted a proposal for the
Junior Consul that was presented BEFORE the proposal
you did support.

You ignored that proposal. You showed ZERO intrest in
reconciling the diferences between them. Now you are
pretending that it was never made.

>
> <<snipped>>
>
> > LSD: Reforming our Gens system is going to be a
> painful process. It
> > affects many citizens basic interactions in Nova
> Roma. I Haven't
> > lost sight of that human element.
> >
> > Nova Roma's citizens aren't lead figures that can
> be rearranged.
> > They are human beings, and Gens reform that
> ignores that aspect
> > will cost us citizens.
> >
> > Reform needs to be done right the first time, not
> drawn out in a
> > torturous process that interupts citizens basic
> interactions over
> > and over.
>
> All that is quite true, of course. But the fact is
> that you have been
> so careful that you have done *nothing* in this
> field for years,
> except attacking the proposals presented by other
> people.

LSD: While you threw caution to the wind and ignored
repeated warnings that you were on a path that would
cost Nova Roma citizens.

Where are the Corneli? They were very active on this
list BEFORE last years proposal.
>
> > LSD: Just because I haven't spoken out on his
> proposal in this
> > forum dosen't mean it is being ignored. This list
> isn't the only
> > means of communication between citizens.
>
> But meanwhile, you have appropriated C. Iulius
> Scaurus's suggestions
> on election reform to attack the senior consul's
> proposal (not taking
> into account that perhaps -just perhaps- the senior
> consul is also
> discussing about C. Iulius Scaurus's suggestions
> through other means
> of communication between citizens).
>
> Of course, you couldn't use Scaurus's gens reform
> proposal to attack
> the senior consul, could you? What was it good for
> then?
>

LSD: So where was this all important issuse of Gens
reform BEFORE you and others used it as a red herring
to divert attention away from crictism of the proposed
Election law?

Why haven't you made daily calls for Gens reforms over
the past 6 months like you have over the past few
days?

This issue was ignored for months and only raised to
devert attention away from cricitism of an ahistoric
election law.

Once the discussion about the election law is over
will you put this back on the shelf again until you
are ready to attempt to divert crictism away from yet
another ahistoric proposal.

You may think you are being sly, but you are as
transparent as glass. You aren't fooling anyone.


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12259 From: L. Sicinius Drusus Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Factions
--- Gnaeus Salix Astur <salixastur@...> wrote:
> Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius
> Drusus"
> <lsicinius@y...> wrote:
> > Salvete Quirites,
> >
> > There has been a talk about my use of the term
> > "faction", complete with denials of belonging to
> any
> > faction.
> >
> > This is what I mean when I use the term.
> >
> > There aren't any organnized factons in Nova Roma
> > (yet).
> >
> > There has been an ongoing dispute over Nova Roma's
> > direction, should we be a "Modern" Micronation, or
> > should we follow the ancient model as closely as
> > possible.
> >
> > In this dispute there are some citizens who can be
> > counted on to support allmost any introduction of
> > Modern Ideas. There are other citizens who can be
> > counted on to support traditional Ideas.
> >
> > These two groups might not be formally organized,
> but
> > thier existance is real and it has the same effect
> on
> > our policies as if they were formal organizations.
> >
> > We have unoffical and unorganized "Modernist" and
> > "Traditionalist" groups. It dosen't matter if you
> call
> > them factions, parties, camps or any other name,
> the
> > effect is the same.
> >
> > Since these groups have the same effects on Nova
> Roma
> > as organized factions, that is the term I apply to
> > them.
> >
> >
> > =====
> > L. Sicinius Drusus
> >
> > Roman Citizen
>
> For several days, you have bombarded our citizenship
> with the idea
> that there are two distinct ideological groups in
> Nova Roma: a group
> that wants to uphold Roman tradition (represented by
> you and your
> friends) and a group that wants to destroy Roman
> traditions
> (represented by those who do not support your
> political ideas).
>
> That tactic is, of course, as old as the world.
> Who wouldn't want to uphold Roman tradition in a
> place called "Nova
> Roma"? It is clear that you will gain many
> supporters by simply
> stating that you support Roman tradition. Before
> you, the inventors
> of terms like "anti-americanism", "infidels",
> "imperialists" or "anti-
> revolutionaries" followed the same pattern.
>
> Who cares if you and your friends actually oppose
> those proposals
> that would bring Nova Roma closer to Roman
> Tradition? Who cares if
> you and your friends did nothing to uphold Roman
> Tradition when you
> had the chance? The only important thing is to
> repeat well aloud and
> many times that you and your friends support Roman
> Tradition, long
> week-ends and marshmallows and the voters will
> swallow it.
>
> I personally think that you are wrong, and that the
> citizens of Nova
> Roma will not swallow it. They didn't swallow it
> last year when, for
> the first time in Nova Roma's history, your
> "faction" lost an
> election.
>

LSD: So are you trying to tell me that people who urge
an ahistoric law be passed because it's "modern" and
"fair", while calling a historic measure "Archaic",
"Dated", and "Reactionary" among other terms are
intrested in Tradition?


=====
L. Sicinius Drusus

Roman Citizen

__________________________________
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Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12260 From: M Flavius Aurelius Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Limit Reached
Such an option does not appear to exist within yahoogroups. Egroups allowed it. Yahoo doesn't. I think yahoo doesn't see that this represents a sufficiently viable income stream, and prefers advertisements.

One reason I encourage mail lists I participate in to find alternate options.

M Flavius Aurelius
m.flavius.aurelius@...
Scribe
Australia Province

----- Original Message -----
From: StarVVreck@...
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Limit Reached


Salve L. Sicinius Drusus,

I do remember that on the original mainlist we were paying a monthly fee to
remove the advertisements in the email. I would assume that the fee also gave
the original mainlist unlimited space. Are we paying a simmilar fee for the
new mainlist?

Vale,

Iulius Titinius Antonius


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12261 From: Gnaeus Salix Astur Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: The Modernist/Restorationist Fallacy
Salvete Quirites; et salve, senator L. Sicini Druse.

I think that we are both beginning to really bore the citizenry to
death :-). You will have to excuse me, but I will limit my responses.
Otherwise, we will really tire our citizens.

I will reply to your latest message. My next reply will take longer.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Sicinius Drusus"
<lsicinius@y...> wrote:

<<snipped>>

> LSD: Then you haven't looked very hard Senator. As recently as last
> July I drafted a proposal for the Junior Consul that was presented
> BEFORE the proposal you did support.
>
> You ignored that proposal. You showed ZERO intrest in reconciling
> the diferences between them. Now you are pretending that it was
> never made.

I do remember your proposal. As you have pointed out, it was prepared
for last year's Iunior Consul, who was the last person on Earth to
want a gens reform. As such, your proposal failed at bringing the
system closer to its historical counterpart. It was a proposal
taylored to fit the Iunior Consul's objectives, who were to keep
things as they were then. It should not come as a surprise that it
was mainly ignored by the citizenship.

<<snipped>>

> LSD: While you threw caution to the wind and ignored repeated
> warnings that you were on a path that would cost Nova Roma citizens.
>
> Where are the Corneli? They were very active on this list BEFORE
> last years proposal.

It has already been pointed out that that people was receiving a
pretty biased account of all that happened.

Besides that, that line of reasoning does not go very far. Otherwise
I simply have to say: "I will resign unless everybody does what I am
saying" to get anything done.

<<snipped>>

> LSD: So where was this all important issuse of Gens reform BEFORE
> you and others used it as a red herring to divert attention away
> from crictism of the proposed Election law?
>
> Why haven't you made daily calls for Gens reforms over the past 6
> months like you have over the past few days?
>
> This issue was ignored for months and only raised to devert
> attention away from cricitism of an ahistoric election law.
>
> Once the discussion about the election law is over will you put
> this back on the shelf again until you are ready to attempt to
> divert crictism away from yet another ahistoric proposal.
>
> You may think you are being sly, but you are as transparent as
> glass. You aren't fooling anyone.

The reason why I haven't been claiming for gens reform every single
day is that a gens reform proposal is being prepared. When it is
ready, we will have the opportunity to see you and your friends
repeating the same old show once more: you will claim that gens
reform is dangerous and too costly; you will call for a defense of
Roman Tradition represented in the current gens system (until it is
once more pointed out that the current gens system is not
historically correct); you will then find minor jusitifications to
try to delay the reform... Always trying to keep the unhistorical
system as it is while claiming to defend Roman Tradition.

Last year, you had to resort to what could be considered a coup
d'etat; the Iunior Consul blocked the government for months (against
the explicit wish of the People and the Senate). This time, you will
not be able to do that, since the People of Nova Roma wisely kept
your faction out of blocking positions. This time, we will finally
have the opportunity to hear the People's Will on the gens reform
issue.

So do not worry; you will hear more about this. Not now. Not yet. But
much sooner than what you would like.

CN·SALIX·ASTVR·T·F·A·NEP·TRIB·OVF
Group: Nova-Roma Message: 12262 From: Quintus Lanius Paulinus (Michael Kelly) Date: 2003-06-29
Subject: Re: Salve from a new citizen
Salve Druse,

Please allow me to be one of the first to welcome you to NR. You
scarecly scratched our message board and I see a few excellent ideas
already. You know, I bet if we ran some sort of farm it would be a
good "dry run" for more larger dreams and projects down the road.
There has been a series on tv in North America and English about
reenacting and recreating an iron age village; maybe we could
recreate a Roman out post and take turns living on that for a year or
so, growing our foods, raising animals and above all - wine making.
Please visit sodalistas coq et coq where there are interesting
discussions on food and drink. Our moderator Pipar just posted a
great mead recepie which I shall try when I return from the babrarian
wilderness.

I know others on the list will wish to speak with you but I'll wager
many sesteri that they're off watching the Julius Caesar Miniseries
tonight. I don't get that particular station on satellite here but
I'll settle again for "Druids".

When you have a moment, would you please tell us how you found Nova
Roma and what recommendations you would suggest for attracting new
citizens like yourself. Enjoy and we look forward to seeing your
postings!


Vale bene,

Quintus Lanius Paulinus


--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "David John White"
<davidwhite432003@y...> wrote:
> Salve
> I admire the dedication and enthusiasm of Nova Roma's
> citizens in recreating not only the technical structure, ideas and
> philosophy of Rome but allowing everybody to see and feel Roman
life.
> Even smell and taste it if they eat the food.
> Roman laws, virtues, natural religion and its family values are a
> good basis for any community in the modern world.
> Perhaps we can guide more of the lost souls of today's greedy
> barbaric society to live well, respect each other, work hard and
live
> in harmony with nature.
> The Nova Roma site is extensive and well structured with much of
> interest both to Citizens and enthusiasts from outside.
> It would be nice to do more extensive recreations of Roman life.
> Maybe a farm producing food the Roman way or small ecologically
sound
> communities.
> I look forward to Citizenship in a strong and growing Republic.
> Vale,
>
> Drusus Maxentus Silvanus
>
> P.S
> Do we have Environmental policies or guidelines for life or future
> businesses?