M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus Quiritibus, cultores Deorum et omnibus salutem plurimam dicit: Deos ego omnis ut fortunas sint precor

Hodie est die Pristini Eidus Martias; haec dies nefastus publica est: Equirria; Mamuralia; Argo navis exoritur, Favonius aut Auster, interdum Aquilo.


"Behold, a shield fell, trembling in the light breeze. The sound of the crowd's shouting reached the stars. The king first sacrificed a heifer that had never known the yoke, then raised the gift from the ground, and called it ancile, because it was cut away all round, and there wasn't a single angle to note. Then, remembering the empire's fate was involved, he thought of a very cunning idea. He ordered many shields cut in the same shape, in order to confuse the eyes of any traitor. Mamurius carried out the task: whether he was superior in his craft or his character it would be hard to say. Gracious Numa said to him: 'Ask a reward for your work, you'll not ask in vain of one known for honesty.' He'd already given weapons to the Salii, named from their leaping dance, and words to be sung to a certain tune. Mamurius replied: 'Give me glory as my prize, and let my name be sounded at the song's end.' So the priests grant the reward promised for his Ancient work, and now call out 'Mamurius'." ~ Ovidius Naso, Fasti 3.373-392


The day prior to the Ides of March was dedicated to the memory of Mamurius. Servius Honorius said that in his honor the Salii beat
skins in the fashion of a smith beating metal into shape (Ad Aeneis 7.188). Minucius Felix likewise mentioned the Salii beating hides
(Octavius 24.3). This ritual would seem to have involved driving our disease and other ills just before the beginning of the New Year on the Ides. It can be compared to rites in villages the world over, where cultures employ dance and drums to drive away evil spirits.

In the sixth century CE Laurentius Lydus of Apamea wrote De Mensibus (3.29 and 4.36) in which he said that on the Ides of March a man dressed in animal skins was driven with long wands, peeled of their bark, and that the crowd called "Mamurius" after him. However no mention of such a ritual is given by Ovid in his account of the Fasti, nor is it mentioned by Servius, Varro, Verrius, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, nor by Plutarch. It does not make sense that such authors would have overlooked such an aspect of the ritual if driving a man from the City were actually part of the day's festivities. While modern speculations accepted that such a rite existed, it is easier to understand, and more parallels exist, that drumming was used rather than some scapegoat.


Equirria

"When he who, with his swift chariot, brings bright day Has raised his disc six times, and immersed it again, You will see horse races again on the Campus, That grassy plain that Tiber's winding waters wash. But if by chance it's flooded by overflowing waves, The dusty Caelian Hill will accept the horses." ~ Ovidius Naso, Fasti 3.517-522

"Today the circus holds all of Rome" (Juvenal 11.197), as two-horse chariot races were also held on this day, the Equirria, in honor of Mars.

"Mars, whether thou reclinest on cloud-capped Haemus, or frost-white Rhodope holdeth thee, or Athos, severed to give passage to the
Persian fleet, or Pangaeus, gloomy with dark holm-oaks, gird thyself at my side and de thine own land of Thrace. If victory smile on us, thy meed shall be an oak stump adorned with spoils."

"Hearing his prayer, Father Mars arose from the snow-topped crag of Mount Haemus exhorting His swift ministers: "Bellona, bring my helmet; attend me, Pavor, fasten the wheels upon my war chariot; Formido, bridle my swift horses in harness. Hastily press forward on your work. See, (he) makes ready himself for war; Stilicho whose habit it is to load me with rich trophies and hang upon the oak the plumed helmets of his enemies. For us together the trumpets ever sound the call to battle; yoking my chariot I follow wheresoever he pitches his camp." ~ Claudius Claudianus, In Rufino 1.334-48


AUC 975 / 222 CE: Alexander Severus acceded to the titles of Augustus, Pater Patria, and Pontifex Maximus

He was also given proconsular command, and the privilege of making five proposals at each session of the Senate. His proposals would have precedent before all others and five was the maximum given to any emperor, although some had fewer. He refused the honorific name Antoninus since he was not an Antonine, but was counted among the good emperors from the beginning of his reign.

"He forbade men to call him Lord, and he gave orders that people should write to him as they would to a commoner, retaining only the title Imperator. He removed from the imperial footwear and garments all the jewels that had been used by Elagabalus, and he wore a plain white robe without any gold, just as he is always depicted, and ordinary cloaks and togas. He associated with his friends on such familiar terms that he would sit with them as equals, attend their banquets, have some of them as his own daily guests, even when they were not formally summoned, and hold a morning levee like any senator with open curtains and without the presence of ushers, or, at least, with none but those who acted as attendants at the doors, whereas previously it was not possible for people to pay their respects to the emperor for the reason that he could not see them." ~ Historia Augusta, Life of Alexander Severus 4.1-3


Today's thought is from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.5:

"Whatever may happen to thee, it was being prepared for thee from all eternity; and the matrix of causes was from eternity spinning the thread of thy being, and the incidence of this particular happening."

Salvete omnes <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565759.stm>

A large team of volunteers from around the world have taken part in a
project to illuminate the entire length of Hadrian's wall.

A video of the occasion is at the following link, and there are other
links available from this site.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565759.stm
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565759.stm>

I hope you enjoy the various links.

Valete omnes

Crispus





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

Cn. Lentulus pontifex consulibus, praetoribus, senatui populoque Novo Romano s. p. d.


Salvete Quirites et Commilitones!

Today is the Second Equirria, and Mars Pater is celebrated. Currently there is no Flamen Martialis, so traditionally his duty is undertaken by one of pontifices. As pontifex, I conducted the First Equirria Sacrificial Ceremony in February, I conduct the second one, too, today, before my home altar.

We honour all soldiers and retired soldiers among us, who do serve and served in any of the world's armed forces, and we ask Father Mars, the Father of the Roman people, that he bless them and their families and their lives.

We honour all Nova Roman legionary reenactors among us again, who continue the symbolic traditions of the Roman Army as a honour guard and as a demonstrative and educational military, and we ask Father Mars to support them and to give them success in their efforts.

Nova Roma was born in the first day of the month of Father Mars, so Nova Roma is under the protection of Mars, we can placate him with our offerings and prayers, and finally we will triumph!

The text of the ritual I will do today is this (with English translation):

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
SECOND EQUIRRIA RITUAL TO MARS FOR THE QUIRITIAN PEOPLE OF NOVA ROMA


1) PRAEFATIO

"Mars Pater,
te hoc ture commovendo
bonas preces precor,
uti sies volens propitius
Senatui Populoque Novo Romano Quiritibus,
consulibus, praetoribus, praesidibus provinciarum,
omnibus militibus veris et propriis
atque omnibus militibus legionum reconstructivarum,
collegio pontificum,
mihi, domo, familiae!"

[Father Mars,
by offering this incense to you
I pray good prayers so
that you may be benevolent and propitious
to the Quiritian Senate and People of Nova Roma,
to the consuls, praetors and provincial governors,
to every real soldier serving in armies,
as well as to every soldier in the reenactor legions,
to the college of the pontiffs,
to me, to my household and to my family.]

- I placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Mars Pater,
uti te ture commovendo
bonas preces bene precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte vino inferio esto"

[Father Mars,
as by offering to you the incense
I have well prayed good prayers,
for the very same reason
be thou blessed by this sacrificial wine.]

- I poured a libation on the altar.


2) SACRIFICIUM I

"Mars pater,
quod tibi fieri oportet culignam vini dapi,
eius rei ergo macte
hac illace dape pullucenda esto!"

[Father Mars,
to you it is proper for a cup of wine to be given,
for the sake of this thing therefore may you be blessed
by this feast offering].

- I poured a libation on the altar and added laurel for Mars.


3) PRECATIO

"Mars Pater,
qui currui temporis equos citos iungis
ut mensem Martium adducas,
te precor, venerorque,
quaeso, obtestorque,
uti fortitudinem constantiamque,
vim ac virtutem gravitatemque,
imperium magnum maiestatemque,
auctoritatem severitatemque,
victoriam valetudinemque
populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium
semper tribuas;
utique milites Novos Romanos veros et proprios custodias;
militesque legionum reconstructivarum ipsasque legiones adiuves;
utique sies volens propitius
Senatui Populoque Novo Romano Quiritibus,
consulibus, praetoribus, praesidibus provinciarum,
omnibus militibus veris et propriis
atque omnibus militibus legionum reconstructivarum,
legatis, tribunis, centurionibus,
collegio pontificum,
mihi, domo, familiae!"

[Father Mars,
who hitch your swift horses to the chariot of time
to bring on the month of March,
I ask and revere you,
I pray and beseech you
so that you may grant
fortitude and constancy,
strength, virtue and gravity,
great power and majesty,
initiative and seriousness,
victory and safety
to the Quiritian people of Nova Roma,
to the Republic of the Quiritian people of Nova Roma;
so that you may take care of every soldier in Nova Roma serving in armies;
and may support every soldier in the reenactor legions and their legions;
so that you may be benevolent and propitious
to the Quiritian Senate and People of Nova Roma,
to the consuls, praetors and provincial governors,
to every real soldier serving in armies,
as well as to every soldier in the reenactor legions,
to the legates, tribunes and centurions,
to the college of the pontiffs,
to me, to my household and to my family.]


4) SACRIFICIUM II

"Quarum rerum ergo macte
hoc libo libando,
hoc vino libando,
huc thure obmovendo
esto fito volens propitius
Senatui Populoque Novo Romano Quiritibus,
consulibus, praetoribus, praesidibus provinciarum,
omnibus militibus veris et propriis
atque omnibus militibus legionum reconstructivarum,
legatis, tribunis, centurionibus,
collegio pontificum,
mihi, domo, familiae!"

[For all these reasons, thou blessed
by offering this libum,
by offering this wine,
by offering this incense
be benevolent and propitious
to the Quiritian Senate and People of Nova Roma,
to the consuls, praetors and provincial governors,
to every real soldier serving in armies,
as well as to every soldier in the reenactor legions,
to the legates, tribunes and centurions,
to the college of the pontiffs,
to me, to my household and to my family.]

- Libum, wine and incense were sacrificed.


5) REDDITIO

"Mars Pater,
qui in campo tuo certamen Equirriae semper prospicis,
macte istace dape pollucenda esto,
macte vino inferio esto"

[Father Mars,
who always observe from afar the race of the Equirria on your own field, may you be blessed by this feast offering,
may you be blessed by the sacrificial wine.]"

- I offered Mars Pater laurel, cakes and wine on the altar.

"Illicet!"

[It is permitted to go.]

- End of the ceremony.


6) PIACULUM

"Iane,
Mars Pater,
Iuppiter Optime Maxmime, Iuno, Minerva,
Concordia,
Omnes Di Immortales quocumque nomine:
si quidquam vonis in hac caerimonia displicuit,
hoc ture veniam peto
et vitium meum expio."

[Ianus,
Father Mars,
Iuppiter, The Best and Greatest, Iuno, Minerva,
Concordia,
All Gods Immortal by whathever name I may call you:
if anything in this ceremony is displeasing to you,
with this incense and wine I ask forgiveness
and expiate my fault.]

- I offered incense on the altar and poured a libation on the altar.


MARS NOS PROTEGE!

MARS NOS CONSERVA!!

MARS NOS GLORIFICA!!!

Salve Maior,
I was joking! I don't see myself spending months to embroider a peace sign.
We might make a painted one if we manage to make a film out of Dexter's
comedy, though. It would make it looke like "The life of Brian"!

Optime vale,
Livia

----- Original Message -----
From: "rory12001" <rory12001@...>
To: <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 1:51 AM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Re: NR Parody Writing Contest - THIRD BEST PARODY by M.
Hortensia Maior


Salvete Aeternia Liviaque spd;
hehe, it was hard to get started and I admit seeing Lentulus as a Roman
John Lennon inspired me;-) I admire and am very fond of Lentulus and I saw
you Aeternia that way too.

It was a very cathartic experience, laughing at yourself is uber necessary
and then it was fun to see if I could nail many NR personalities in a single
line.
Livia do it, that peace sign would really signify the new and old NR;-)
love it!
vale
Maior
>
> Salve Aeternia,
> right! I'm sorely tempted to make an embroidered peace sign, to be sown on
> Lentulus' 4th century tunic! LOL!
>
> Optime vale,
> Livia
>
>
> > Salve
> >
> > You know when I read this, I keep picturing Lentulus and myself drabbed
> > as
> > Roman Hippies with pyschedelic shades and peace signs everywhere. A
> > complete upside of my doom & gloom self, alrighty then. This was
> > shorter
> > than our dear Cato's, but considering who the author was of this piece,
> > I
> > believe this was an attempt at being somewhat kind.
> >
> > It brought a couple chuckles, kudos!
> >
> >
> > Vale,
> > Aeternia
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 4:00 AM, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus <
> > cn_corn_lent@...> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> The third best piece of work of the 1st "Nova Roman Parody Writing
> >> Contest":
> >>
> >> PARODY
> >>
> >> Dialogues
> >>
> >> by M. Hortensia Maior
> >>
> >> "No particular theme, just a collocation of the absurd type of things
> >> everyone has said at some point. There was missing a stronger cohesion
> >> and
> >> some kind of continuity of the dialogues and composition of the
> >> structure, but the author was absolutely hilarious, she caught the
> >> characters
> >> perfectly, and she indeed did not spare herself! Albucius' Franglish
> >> was
> >> a
> >> very well delivered joke! Perhaps, this work should have been a
> >> little longer, giving more than one line to the most of the characters.
> >> She got the message of the Parody Writing Contest and she was indeed
> >> very impartial and "mild" even to her opponents. An excellent endeavor
> >> to the friendly, funny spirit we needed so much. It flowed quickly, and
> >> that's good for a parody. It was really close to be the second best!
> >> Congratulations!"
> >>
> >> /THE JURY/
> >>
> >> ----------------------------------------------------------
> >> The Parody
> >>
> >> Lentulus: Today because I love each and every one of you. yes it's
> >> true, I want to give you all a big kiss, and a hug, evenly, not
> >> discriminating, where was I? oh I'm holding a parody competition, I'd
> >> like everyone to enter:)
> >>
> >> Messallina: I will.
> >>
> >> Sulla: **xxx!! YOU will NOT
> >>
> >> Cato:
> >> the Lex Ignorantia paragraph 6 subsection 3 of the Nova Roma
> >> Constitution states, and I repeat, it says...blah blah blah YOU MUST
> >> OBEY THE LAW
> >>
> >> Maior: Rubbish, if you only read the right sources
> >> then you would know everything like I do but you dont. So I'm right and
> >> you're wrong!!!
> >>
> >> Messallina: I just want to write a parody. It's not a big deal.
> >>
> >> Graecus;
> >> can women write parodies? or is this another example of modern feminism
> >> run riot,let me look into the original greek, ah yes, Graphoi me
> >> gynaikia; women can't.
> >>
> >> Cicero: I agree
> >>
> >> Enodia; me tooo!
> >>
> >> Modianus; no that's wrong; it's the modern world, all women can write
> >> parodies at any time everywhere.
> >>
> >> Piscinus:
> >> today is the Altipenultimate feria of the most obscure deity in the
> >> world, and I'll tell you all about it, with a pithy line of philosophy
> >> just to round it off.
> >>
> >> Sulla: NO YOU WON"T XXX****^^!
> >>
> >> Aeternia: hey guys let's calm down.
> >>
> >> Lentulus: yes let's love one another, let's hold hands and hug, and
> >> maybe
> >> sing Kumbaya.
> >>
> >> Petronius: that's not Latin I won't sing it.
> >>
> >> Scholastica; Bene, quomodo scisne.......... and please take Latin
> >> classes
> >>
> >> Cato: I am right!!! You must all follow the LAW!
> >>
> >> Maior: Don't listen to him! He hasn't read the Lex Obscurania & I read
> >> it
> >> twice.
> >>
> >> Julia Aquila: Let's sing a nice Latin song and maybe this all will
> >> stop.
> >>
> >> Livia Plauta; good idea Julia, maybe though I am doubtful, maybe
> >> everyone
> >> should wear a phallic amulet and that will help.
> >>
> >> Scholastica; she said phallic!
> >>
> >> Albucius:
> >> VETO! I was the praetor, the very best praetor Nova Roma ever had and
> >> by precising the Lex Dirty Words, I can charge to you that being
> >> precising, I will warn but not moderate you for that.
> >>
> >> Quintillianus: you are all my friends, I think we can all see reason.
> >> Let
> >> me phone you and you will all love me all over again.
> >>
> >> Lentulus: if we just kissed!!
> >>
> >> Agricola: I'm going to say something extremely subtle that most people
> >> won't understand
> >>
> >> Gn.
> >> Iulius Caesar: of course women can't write parodies, and I can explain
> >> this to you very clearly in 145 pages of single spaced incredibly long
> >> paragraph because I wrote it and it is brilliant.
> >>
> >> Saturninus: I predict it will be a very argumentitive year. I have some
> >> nice calendar for sale..
> >>
> >> Novus Romanus: Hello I'm a new ciitizen and I was wondering.....
> >>
> >> Everyone: SHUT UP!!!! Don't you dare interrupt our argument.
> >>
> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

Livia Petronio sal.

> For example about the word "feu sacré" wich in French could lead to many
> funny things... >and many others.

LOL! i can imagine!

>I knew the 3 classical unities: unity of action, unity of place and unity
>of time. But I did not >know the 5 aristotelian unities...

My mistake, I thought they were 5. But I couldn't remember the other two ...
They were defined by Aristoteles.

>During the next Parilia at Rome?

I won't be there for Parilia. I will keep my energies and money for the NR
meeting in June.

Optime vale,
Livia

Livia Scholasticae sal.

I meant that it would have gotten the first place if written in English.

Optime vale,
Livia

>
> ATS: No, though writing in a language not one¹s own is a
> consideration.
> This earned second place because it was good, and very clever, if not
> quite so
> much so as that of Cato. The references to the Aeneid and the founding of
> Rome, plus the touches about incinerated augural birdies on a dies
> comitialis
> were among the highlights here. I translated this for the benefit of the
> elementary Latin students in the jury.

Cato Liviae

O.o

Vale,

Cato

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Livia Plauta" <livia.plauta@...> wrote:
>
> Livia Scholasticae sal.
>
> I meant that it would have gotten the first place if written in English.
>
> Optime vale,
> Livia

>
>
> Scholastica Liviae S.P.D.
>
>
> Livia Scholasticae sal.
>
> I meant that it would have gotten the first place if written in English.
>
> ATS: No, I don¹t think that was the issue at all; Lentulus chose jurors
> who knew at least some Latin, and respected Latin. In any case, I translated
> it (roughly, given that I had less than 12 hours to judge the entries, and 7-8
> of those were scheduled for sleep). Several of us arrived at the same
> relative rankings, and Cato and Dexter were very, very close in points. I
> wish all could have received some prize.
>
> Optime vale,
> Livia
>
> Optimé vale.
>
>
>> >
>> > ATS: No, though writing in a language not one¹s own is a
>> > consideration.
>> > This earned second place because it was good, and very clever, if not
>> > quite so
>> > much so as that of Cato. The references to the Aeneid and the founding of
>> > Rome, plus the touches about incinerated augural birdies on a dies
>> > comitialis
>> > were among the highlights here. I translated this for the benefit of the
>> > elementary Latin students in the jury.
>
>
>
>
>

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

Can anyone put me in contact with the NRWiki Webmaster? I need to change some arrangements in order to access materials in the NRWiki and finish the work that I have begun there as a commitment some time ago..

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens




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

C. Petronius Liviae Plautae s.p.d.,

> I won't be there for Parilia. I will keep my energies and money for the NR meeting in June.

I certainly missed something, when in June and where in earth will be the NR meeting?

Optime vale.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
Idibus Martiis P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

Salvete Omnes,

The winter editions of this publications have been uploaded to the Nova
Roma, New Roman and the Sodalitas Militarum's Group files for your perusal
and enjoyment.

A Decia Scriptrix


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

Cn. Lentulus magister aranearius M. Audenti senatori sal.

I contact you privately, Senator!

I am he wiki webmaster.


Vale!
Cn. Lentulus















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

M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus Quiritibus, cultores Deorum, et omnibus salutem plurimam dicit: Salvete, vosque bona Iuppiter auctet ope.

Hodie est Eidus Martiae; haec dies nefastus piaculum est: Feriae Iovi; feriae Annae Perennae Via Flaminia ad lapidem primum; Nepa incipit occidere, significat tempestatem.

"On the Ides the happy feast of Anna Perenna is held, not far from your banks, far flowing river, Tiber. The plebeians stream out of the City, scattered onto the verdant grass, there to drink, and every man reclines with his girl. Some endure the open sky beneath Jupiter, a few pitch tents, and some make shelters of fronds and boughs, while others set reeds up, as stakes on which to hang their outspread robes. But they grow warmed with sun and wine, and they pray for as many years as the number of cups of wine they drink." ~ P. Ovidius Naso, Fasti 3.523-532

During the Regal Period the Terra Regis was that tract of land outside Rome that lay beside the River Tiber. The people jointly
worked the king's land (Servius Honorius, Ad Aeneis 2.272). But with the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus, the king's land became ager publici and was renamed Campus Martius. The celebration of the plebeian may go back to such a time as those days on which they jointly worked the king's land, which would have been made into a festive time. There is also a story connected to this celebration. When the plebeians seceded from the City to the Sacred Mountain in 494 BCE they soon ran short of food. Anna of Bovilla, an old and poor widow baked bread each day and brought it to the plebeians. She was then related to the annual circuit of the moon, the perennial moon, as Anna Perenna. She came to represent the flow of years and was celebrated on the first full moon of the New Year; the Ides of March.

Still another story, told by Ovid, is that Mars wished to marry Minerva and went to Anna for help. She told him that she would
arrange everything, so Mars returned to his home and prepared the nuptial couch. A veiled bride duly arrived, but when Mars went to
kiss His bride, unveiled, she was revealed as old Anna. The other Gods laughed as once more Mars became the fool to love. This tale,
too, seems to have come from the popular religion, one of folk tales rather than high poetry.

The State religion began as a reflection of the domestic cultus of the king's family, or so it is thought. But the religio populi
Romani that Cicero so named consisted of much more than just the sacra publici of the State. With the celebration of Anna Perenna at
what is a New Year's celebration, we have an example of a festival that was not part of the State religion, not on any fasti, but was
celebrated by the plebeians exclusively. There are other distinctly plebeian culti Deorum, just as there were distinctly patrician culti
Deorum. This celebration of the Ides with the plebeians streaming from the City, came at the same time that magistrates were conducting rites inside the City; it was at this time that the Consules announced the date of the feriae Latinae. This points to a time when the plebeian culti Deorum were separate from the State religion. The change seems to have begun in 300 BCE with the passage of the lex Olgunia that made plebeian pontifices and augures, after the decemviri sacris faciudis had already been opened to plebeians, as had all of the magisterial offices. Then, during the Hannibalic War, the introduction of the Magna Mater shows that a distinction still remained between a patrician cultus and a plebeian cultus, but that the State religion was quickly fusing under the pressure of the war.


Procession of the Palms

During the imperial era, Rome would witness the cannophori of Attis streaming from the City on the Ides of March. They went in search of His sacred pine. As they did so, they would carry strands of palms, waving them in the air. The canophori, or "tree-bearers," went into the nearby hills to gather pines. Smaller pines would be brought into individual homes. Initially these were left undecorated, but later in the festival, with the Resurrection of Attis, the pine trees would be decorated with red candles, fruits, and images of the Gods. But the quest of today's procession was to find the one particularly tall pine that would be carried back to the City, buried in the Forum for three days, mourned for the death of Attis, before it was then raised from its tomb, victorious over death at the beginning of spring, in the joyous celebration of the Hilaria. On this festival Sallustius:

"Now the Mother of the Gods is the principle that generates life; that is why she is called Mother. Attis is the creator of all things which are born and die; that is why he is said to have been found by the river Gallus. For Gallus signifies the Galaxy, or Milky Way, the point at which body subject to passion begins. Now as the primary Gods make perfect the secondary, the Mother loves Attis and gives him celestial powers. That is what the cap means. Attis loves a nymph: the nymphs preside over generation, since all that is generated is fluid. But since the process of generation must be stopped somewhere, and not allowed to generate something worse than the worst, the creator who makes these things casts away his generative powers into the creation and is joined to the Gods again. . . .

"And at first we ourselves, having fallen from heaven and living with the nymph, are in despondency, and abstain from corn and all rich and unclean food, for both are hostile to the soul. Then comes the cutting of the tree and the fast, as though we also were cutting off the further process of generation. After that the feeding on milk, as though we were being born again; after which come rejoicings and garlands and, as it were, a return up to the Gods.

"The season of the ritual is evidence to the truth of these explanations. The rites are performed about the Vernal equinox, when the fruits of the earth are ceasing to be produced, and day is becoming longer than night, which applies well to spirits rising higher. (At least, the other equinox is in mythology the time of the rape of Kore, which is the descent of the souls.)

"May these explanations of the myths find favour in the eyes of the Gods themselves and the souls of those who wrote the myths." ~ Sallustius, On the Gods and the World 4


Today's thought is from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.37:

"'There was a time once when I would meet with luck at every turn.' But luck is the good fortune that you determine for yourself: and
good fortune is found in the good disposition of the soul, good impulses of the emotions, and the good of right actions."

�dilis Curulis Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus,
peregrinisque bon� voluntatis salutem plurimam dicit.

Hereby, I do declare the MMDCCLXIII edition of the Ludi Novi Romani
officially *CLOSED*.

On behalf of the �dilitas of Nova Roma, I would like to thank all of the
participants, entrants and competitors in the Chariot Race and in the
Third Edition of "Ipse Dixit", also inviting them to join me during the
next and upcoming Ludi events. I would also like to express my deepest,
sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to the whole of the Cohors �dilicia,
and in particular to my scrib�, Gn�us Cornelius Lentulus, Lucia Iulia
Aquila and Gaia Maria C�ca for all of their hard work and dedication.
These Ludi were very much the result of a team effort, and they could
have never have turned out as excellently as they did without the
invaluable cooperation of the entire Cohors, so thanks very much to all
of its members.

Optime valete omnes,
P. Ann. Con. Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�



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

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

"Beware the ides of March." - William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"
(Soothsayer at I.ii)

"A certain seer warned Caesar to be on his guard against a great peril
on the day of the month of March which the Romans call the Ides; and
when the day had come and Caesar was on his way to the senate-house,
he greeted the seer with a jest and said: "Well, the Ides of March are
come," and the seer said to him softly: "Ay, they are come, but they
are not gone." Moreover, on the day before, when Marcus Lepidus was
entertaining him at supper, Caesar chanced to be signing letters, as
his custom was, while reclining at table, and the discourse turned
suddenly upon the question what sort of death was the best; before any
one could answer Caesar cried out: "That which is unexpected." After
this, while he was sleeping as usual by the side of his wife, all the
windows and doors of the chamber flew open at once, and Caesar,
confounded by the noise and the light of the moon shining down upon
him, noticed that Calpurnia was in a deep slumber, but was uttering
indistinct words and inarticulate groans in her sleep; for she
dreamed, as it proved, that she was holding her murdered husband in
her arms and bewailing him...

It was Casca who gave him the first blow with his dagger, in the neck,
not a mortal would, nor even a deep one, for which he was too much
confused, as was natural at the beginning of a deed of great daring;
so that Caesar turned about, grasped the knife, and held it fast. At
almost the same instant both cried out, the smitten man in Latin:
"Accursed Casca, what does thou?" and the smiter, in Greek, to his
brother: "Brother, help!"

So the affair began, and those who were not privy to the plot were
filled with consternation and horror at what was going on; they dared
not fly, nor go to Caesar's help, nay, nor even utter a word. But
those who had prepared themselves for the murder bared each of them
his dagger, and Caesar, hemmed in on all sides, whichever way he
turned confronting blows of weapons aimed at his face and eyes, driven
hither and thither like a wild beast, was entangled in the hands of
all; for all had to take part in the sacrifice and taste of the
slaughter. Therefore Brutus also gave him one blow in the groin. And
it is said by some writers that although Caesar defended himself
against the rest and darted this way and that and cried aloud, when he
saw that Brutus had drawn his dagger, he pulled his toga down over his
head and sank, either by chance or because pushed there by his
murderers, against the pedestal on which the statue of Pompey stood.
And the pedestal was drenched with his blood, so that one might have
thought that Pompey himself was presiding over this vengeance upon his
enemy, who now lay prostrate at his feet, quivering from a multitude
of wounds. For it is said that he received twenty-three; and many of
the conspirators were wounded by one another, as they struggled to
plant all those blows in one body." - Plutarch, Lives, "Caesar"
63.5-9, 66.7-14

"The Senate rose in respect for his position when they saw him
entering. Those who were to have part in the plot stood near him.
Right next to him went Tillius Cimber, whose brother had been exiled
by Caesar. Under pretext of a humble request on behalf of this
brother, Cimber approached and grasped the mantle of his toga, seeming
to want to make a more positive move with his hands upon Caesar.
Caesar wanted to get up and use his hands, but was prevented by Cimber
and became exceedingly annoyed. That was the moment for the men to
set to work. All quickly unsheathed their daggers and rushed at him.
First Servilius Casca struck him with the point of the blade on the
left shoulder a little above the collar-bone. He had been aiming for
that, but in the excitement he missed. Caesar rose to defend himself,
and in the uproar Casca shouted out in Greek to his brother. The
latter heard him and drove his sword into the ribs. After a moment,
Cassius made a slash at his face, and Decimus Brutus pierced him in
the side. While Cassius Longinus was trying to give him another blow
he missed and struck Marcus Brutus on the hand. Minucius also hit out
at Caesar and hit Rubrius in the thigh. They were just like men doing
battle against him. Under the mass of wounds, he fell at the foot of
Pompey's statue. Everyone wanted to seem to have had some part in the
murder, and there was not one of them who failed to strike his body as
it lay there, until, wounded thirty-five times, he breathed his last."
- Nicholas of Damascus, The Assassination of Caesar

Today is, of course, infamous now because in 44 B.C. Gaius Iulius
Caesar was murdered under the statue of Pompey Magnus.

Valete bene!

Cato

Aeternia Catoni sal,

Nicely done! I used to post a little something over on The Muses list on
this day as something annual.. Things like the infamous Funeral Speech
delivered by Marc Antony you know this one.

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;"

and so forth and so on.

Again I enjoyed reading this..

Vale,
Aeternia

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 9:46 AM, Cato <catoinnyc@...> wrote:

>
>
> Cato omnibus in foro SPD
>
> "Beware the ides of March." - William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"
> (Soothsayer at I.ii)
>
> "A certain seer warned Caesar to be on his guard against a great peril
> on the day of the month of March which the Romans call the Ides; and
> when the day had come and Caesar was on his way to the senate-house,
> he greeted the seer with a jest and said: "Well, the Ides of March are
> come," and the seer said to him softly: "Ay, they are come, but they
> are not gone." Moreover, on the day before, when Marcus Lepidus was
> entertaining him at supper, Caesar chanced to be signing letters, as
> his custom was, while reclining at table, and the discourse turned
> suddenly upon the question what sort of death was the best; before any
> one could answer Caesar cried out: "That which is unexpected." After
> this, while he was sleeping as usual by the side of his wife, all the
> windows and doors of the chamber flew open at once, and Caesar,
> confounded by the noise and the light of the moon shining down upon
> him, noticed that Calpurnia was in a deep slumber, but was uttering
> indistinct words and inarticulate groans in her sleep; for she
> dreamed, as it proved, that she was holding her murdered husband in
> her arms and bewailing him...
>
> It was Casca who gave him the first blow with his dagger, in the neck,
> not a mortal would, nor even a deep one, for which he was too much
> confused, as was natural at the beginning of a deed of great daring;
> so that Caesar turned about, grasped the knife, and held it fast. At
> almost the same instant both cried out, the smitten man in Latin:
> "Accursed Casca, what does thou?" and the smiter, in Greek, to his
> brother: "Brother, help!"
>
> So the affair began, and those who were not privy to the plot were
> filled with consternation and horror at what was going on; they dared
> not fly, nor go to Caesar's help, nay, nor even utter a word. But
> those who had prepared themselves for the murder bared each of them
> his dagger, and Caesar, hemmed in on all sides, whichever way he
> turned confronting blows of weapons aimed at his face and eyes, driven
> hither and thither like a wild beast, was entangled in the hands of
> all; for all had to take part in the sacrifice and taste of the
> slaughter. Therefore Brutus also gave him one blow in the groin. And
> it is said by some writers that although Caesar defended himself
> against the rest and darted this way and that and cried aloud, when he
> saw that Brutus had drawn his dagger, he pulled his toga down over his
> head and sank, either by chance or because pushed there by his
> murderers, against the pedestal on which the statue of Pompey stood.
> And the pedestal was drenched with his blood, so that one might have
> thought that Pompey himself was presiding over this vengeance upon his
> enemy, who now lay prostrate at his feet, quivering from a multitude
> of wounds. For it is said that he received twenty-three; and many of
> the conspirators were wounded by one another, as they struggled to
> plant all those blows in one body." - Plutarch, Lives, "Caesar"
> 63.5-9, 66.7-14
>
> "The Senate rose in respect for his position when they saw him
> entering. Those who were to have part in the plot stood near him.
> Right next to him went Tillius Cimber, whose brother had been exiled
> by Caesar. Under pretext of a humble request on behalf of this
> brother, Cimber approached and grasped the mantle of his toga, seeming
> to want to make a more positive move with his hands upon Caesar.
> Caesar wanted to get up and use his hands, but was prevented by Cimber
> and became exceedingly annoyed. That was the moment for the men to
> set to work. All quickly unsheathed their daggers and rushed at him.
> First Servilius Casca struck him with the point of the blade on the
> left shoulder a little above the collar-bone. He had been aiming for
> that, but in the excitement he missed. Caesar rose to defend himself,
> and in the uproar Casca shouted out in Greek to his brother. The
> latter heard him and drove his sword into the ribs. After a moment,
> Cassius made a slash at his face, and Decimus Brutus pierced him in
> the side. While Cassius Longinus was trying to give him another blow
> he missed and struck Marcus Brutus on the hand. Minucius also hit out
> at Caesar and hit Rubrius in the thigh. They were just like men doing
> battle against him. Under the mass of wounds, he fell at the foot of
> Pompey's statue. Everyone wanted to seem to have had some part in the
> murder, and there was not one of them who failed to strike his body as
> it lay there, until, wounded thirty-five times, he breathed his last."
> - Nicholas of Damascus, The Assassination of Caesar
>
> Today is, of course, infamous now because in 44 B.C. Gaius Iulius
> Caesar was murdered under the statue of Pompey Magnus.
>
> Valete bene!
>
> Cato
>
>
>


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

Salvete omnes

Almost a year later and it seems the tune has changed drastically

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1257333/51-headless-Viking-skeletons-Weymouth-ditch.html

Even the original time period was way off.

Optime vale

A Decia Scriptrix

On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 2:14 PM, Kirsteen Wright <
kirsteen.falconsfan@...> wrote:

>
>
> So was this a mass Roman war grave?
>
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192353/Mass-war-grave-50-headless-bodies-Olympics-site.html
>
> Flavia Lucilla Merula
>
>
>
>

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

Magister Cn. Lentulus;

I have a problem and I am not sure why. I suppose, however, that I
must attribute it to the fact that my computer often does what I tell
it to do, and not what I want it to do (Grin!!!!!). In short, I
cannot gain access to the NR Wiki. I have gotten assistance from
previous webmasters but things still don't seem to wok out very well.
So, is there a way that whatever is blocking my entrance into the NR
Wiki can be negated and I can begin again??? My interest is several
stories that I promised one of my NR friends that I would complete and
I really hate to leave a promise like that hanging/

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens

On Mar 15, 2010, at 4:41 AM, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus wrote:

> Cn. Lentulus magister aranearius M. Audenti senatori sal.
>
> I contact you privately, Senator!
>
> I am he wiki webmaster.
>
> Vale!
> Cn. Lentulus
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



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

Salve,

This makes more sense - The original article irresponsibly reported an unsubstantiated theory.
Thank you Decia for this update!

Vale,

Julia

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "A. Decia Scriptrix" <a.decia.scriptrix@...> wrote:
>
> Salvete omnes
>
> Almost a year later and it seems the tune has changed drastically
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1257333/51-headless-Viking-skeletons-Weymouth-ditch.html
>
> Even the original time period was way off.
>
> Optime vale
>
> A Decia Scriptrix
>
> On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 2:14 PM, Kirsteen Wright <
> kirsteen.falconsfan@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > So was this a mass Roman war grave?
> >
> >
> > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192353/Mass-war-grave-50-headless-bodies-Olympics-site.html
> >
> > Flavia Lucilla Merula
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

C. Maria Caeca omnibus S. P. D.

I have the great pleasure to congratulate and thank all who participated in
the Certamen Latinum. You are all great sports, and there were enough of
you to be impressive. Lingua Latina pulchra is far from dead (just in case
anyone was wondering, grin).

the winner of level 1, the beginners quiz was Aula Decia Scriptrix ...a
student, currently in Gramatica I! congratulations, Scriptrix! Watch out,
esteemed Latinists, Scriptrix will, I suspect, be giving you some brisk
competition next year!

The winner of the advanced level is: (drum roll and trumpets, please), A.
Tullia Scholastica. And, lest our think she had an unfair advantage,
treading right on her hem (so to speak) and within 2 points of winning were
M. Martianus Lupus and our own Curule Aedile, Placidus. Until the last 2
questions, I was concerned that I would have to beg Lentulus to com up with
a tie breaker question!
thank you all, again, for participating, and for your patience with me. Oh
...and since the advanced question for $6 never quite saw the light of
print, I gave everyone credit for it.

respectfully,
C. Maria Caeca

P.S. I would like to especially acknowledge Julia Aquila who did extremely
well in level 1, and L. Livia Plauta, who did extremely well in level 2.

Maior Quiritibus spd;
the workshop is on now and here are some great photos of the process
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151601&id=108339231027&ref=mf

If you forgot (like me) she will repeat it next month. There are inscriptions in Greek, Hieroglyphs, Phoenician and Ugaritic, additionally Punic was written in Latin script so repell those bad influences with an amulet.
optime vale
Maior

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "rory12001" <rory12001@...> wrote:
>
> M. Hortensia Quiritibus spd;
>
> My friend Tess a Canaanite reconstructionist, is holding a free online workshop over at Whisper-of-Stone at Facebook. The materials only cost about $10
> http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150117049625171
>
> Phoenician and Punic amulets would be popular over the Roman world and of course you can make them deity specific, for say Minerva or Apollo if you're not a worshipper of Asherah or Eshmun, actually the later is African Apollo!
> here is her webpage as well with the details
> http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150117049625171#!/pages/Whisper-of-Stone-Natib-Qadish-Modern-Canaanite-Religion/108339231027?ref=ts
>
> enjoy and make sure the gods protect you!
> optime valete
> M. Hortensia Maior
>

MOC: I present my apologies to senatores. I've posted this version or my report just as I had the time.

Citizens of Nova Roma,

Here is the Tribunician report of the Senate session of February 25 – March 06, 2763

!!!corrected: as Ullerius (PUSV) is no longer senator! He has resigned in the Forum several weeks ago. We have 30 senators currently. Hence his name was deleted from list of Senatores who did not vote. I thank Consul Albucius for correcting my mistake.!!!

The votes have been tallied and the results are as follows:

Formal debate ended at 24.00 hrs. CET pr. Kal. Mar. (28th of February) 2763.
Voting began at 06.00 hrs. CET on a.d. V Non. Mar.(Wednesday 3rd of March) 2763 and was concluded at 16.00 hours CET on pr. Non. Mar.(Saturday 6th of March) 2763.
The following XXV Senators cast their votes on time. They are referred to by their initials which are listed in alphabetical order (with the exception of the presiding magistrate who will be listed first):
*KFBQ: K. Fabius Buteo Quintilianus, Presiding Magistrate


*ATS: A. Tullia Scholastica
*CCS: C. Curius Saturninus
*CEC: C. Equitius Cato
*CFD: C. Flavius Diocletianus
*CnEM: Cn. Equitius Marinus
*CVP: C. Vipsanius Agrippa
*DIPI: Dec. Iunius Palladius Invictus
*EmCF: Em. Curia Finnica
*EqIL: Equestria Iunia Laeca
*KFBM: K. Fabius Buteo Modianus
*LCSF: L. Cornelius Sulla Felix
*MAM: M. Arminius Maior
*MCC: M. Curiatius Complutensis
*MHM: M. Hortensia Maior
*MIP: M. Iulius Perusianus
*MIS: M. Iulius Severus
*MLA: M. Lucretius Agricola
*MMPH: M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus
*PMA: P. Memmius Albucius
*QFM: Q. Fabius Maximus
*QSP: Q. Suetonius Paulinus
*TiGP.: Ti. Galerius Paulinus
*TIS: T. Iulius Sabinus

The following Senator (I) voted by proxy:
*MMA: M. Minucius Audens (Proxy vote delivered by Dec. Iunius Palladius Invictus)


The following Senatores (VI) did not vote:

*ArnMA: Arn. Moravia Aurelia
*CMM: C. Marius Merullus
*CnIC: Cn. Iulius Caesar
*FlGA: Fl. Galerius Aurelianus
*FrAC: Fr. Apulus Caesar
_________________________________________

"VTI ROGAS" indicates a vote in favor of an item,
"ANTIQVO" is a vote against,
"ABSTINEO" is an open abstention.
__________________________________________

ITEM I
Appointment of Governors
Full list of candidates was prepared by Consul Quintilianus and corrected by consul Albucius.
Present Governors who haven't sent any report that we have been able to find are not prolonged at this meeting, but may be prolonged at the next Senate meeting if they send in a report in time.

All decisions was made with a majority of Uti Rogas votes.

MLA: Seeing that we are not now voting for full year terms, I think that we may
be bold and take a "Let's try and see" attitude. I agree that where no report is
on file there should be no candidate. If someone has walked away or cannot find
any time at all, as sometimes happens even to the most dedicated, let the office
fall vacant and perhaps someone will step forward. Where there is a single "new"
candidate, let's support them and see what they can do. I cast my vote as "UTI
ROGAS" with the following exception and give my thanks to all candidates:

I. America Austroccidentalis - new candidate for Legatus pro praetor Q.Caecilius Metellus Pius Postumianus

MMPH: ANTIQUO He was governor of Lacus Magni and did nothing. He has never been
reliable, due to serious problems that make me question his abilities for this
office.

KFBM: Antiquo. When I was governor of Lacus Magni Metellus was a legate. He moved and never mentioned his departure from the province. Then he lived in Tennessee. Then he moved back to Ohio and became governor. Now he has vacated Lacus Magni, and his post as governor, and is now out West and wants to be the governor there. He lacks the maturity and stability to be a successful governor.

ATS: Antiquo. I share the concerns mentioned by others, and am appalled by comments he made regarding another member of this body.

PMA: I am not convinced that the conditions of Caecilius' move may place him in the best environment to develop America austroccidentalis' citizenry. However, and taking in consideration that the current group of appointments will be reviewed at the end of summer, I am willing to support my colleague's proposal and let Caecilius prove before September all his good dispositions.

UTI ROGAS: 21
ANTIQUO: 3
ABSTINEO: 1

APPOINTED: America Austroccidentalis Legatus pro praetore Q.Caecilius Metellus Pius Postumianus

***************

II. America Austrorientalis - as new Legatus pro praetore C. Aquillius Rota

PMA: Rota has already showed his real interest, putting forward interesting proposals. He has my warm support.

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: America Austrorientalis Legatus pro praetore C. Aquillius Rota

********************

III America Boreoccidentalis - as new Legata pro praetore V. Rutilia Enodiaria

UTI ROGAS: 23
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 1

APPOINTED: America Boreoccidentalis - as new Legata pro praetore V. Rutilia Enodiaria

***********

IV America Medioccidentalis Superior - Legatus pro praetore C. Pompeius Marcellus

LCSF – No, he never paid the tax. How can a non-tax payer hold an imperium based position.

UTI ROGAS: 24
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: America Medioccidentalis Superior Legatus pro praetore C. Pompeius Marcellus

***************

V Argentina - No candidate - (Legatus pro praetore D. Cassius Lupus, no report).

MMPH: Last December I received a note from Julia Agrippa in which she stated,
"My husband has decided to stop his involvement with Nova Roma, as he has felt
quite put off by some <snipped> Citizens and their antics." Also she reported
that there was a lack of participation by other Argentina citizens, not only
because of the antics on the lists, but also because of difficulties in paying
annual taxes. Finances in Argentina do not make it convenient to have a credit
cards and other banking facilities available to them, and they are thus unable
to use PayPal. They requested that they be allowed to send their taxes via
Western Union but when I inquired on their behalf, we received no answer.

ATS: I am sorry to learn that this gentleman no longer wishes to participate in NR; his wife was in one of my introductory Latin classes last year, and is auditing the corresponding intermediate level one this year in hopes of returning to student status next year.

*****************

VI Asia Citerior - vacant

***************

VII Asia Ulterior - Legatus pro praetore M. Lucretius Agricola

UTI ROGAS: 24
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Asia Ulterior Legatus pro praetore M. Lucretius Agricola

*******************

VIII Australia - vacant

***************

IX Brasilia - No candidate - (Legatus pro praetore T. Arminius Genialis, no report).

MAM: I am sorry that T. Arminius missed the deadline for the report, and
certainly will vote for him in the next session.

ATS: I am also concerned about this gentleman's absence.

********

X Britannia - vacant

*******************

XI California - two candidates:

MLA: There have been allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior on the part
of Q. Fabius Maximus, but little evidence was brought forward. Just now, I have
found some circumstantial evidence that tends to support the allegations. The
Sodalitas Munerum was organized and recognized in 2001. A Yahoo Group was
created for this sodalitas by Q. Fabius Maximus using the ID "sfp1959". The
profile for that ID was archived in 2002 and can be found at
http://web.archive.org/web/20021023195250/http://profiles.yahoo.com/sfp1959 .
There is says in part "Hobbies: Interested in photography, media, music and
dramatic sex. Latest News: Just joined One Miracle Films to produce a series
about G/G". This is remarkably similar to some of the behaviors that have been
alleged. More than this, though, is the question of Q. Fabius Maximus' ability
to lead and organize a group. This same Yahoo group tells a sad tale in this
regard. A number of citizens joined the group in its first months, posting 60
messages in the first month and 23 messages in the second. Since that time, the
group has been allowed to languish and for nearly ten years it has done nothing
but collect spam messages. Maximus is still the sole owner of this group. I do
not mean to diminish any other contributions he has made, but all this suggests
to me that it best to select another person for California provincia.

MMPH: 11/2. Maxima Valeria Messallina (new) ASSENTIOR UTI ROGAS. It is about time that California receive a decent governor who will work with people and try to undo the damage that Fabius Maximus has caused over the years. Messallina will do a fine job.

TGP:
11/1. Q. Fabius Maximus TGP VTI ROGAS
11/2. Maxima Valeria Messallina (new) TGP abstain
Before we replace a Proconsul, a perspective Governor should spend some time working for the current governor. If Maxima Valeria Messallina has held a meeting with 17 people then California should have 17 new citizens but it does not. As a Vestal she also has to agree that if she is going to serve in political offices than she must be willing to take criticism as well as praise.
I believe she should be a senator and tried to bring it about last year. I also believe that most of our provinces are to large and should be reduced in size and CA is one of them. Our provinces should be the size of cities and not states or provinces.
LCSF: 11/1. Q. Fabius Maximus YES!!! Q. Fabius Maximus has served the provincia for years. Also, I have an issue regarding the candidacy of the Vestal for any political position. If she wants to serve politics she should resign her position as vestal. Instead she chooses to taint the Vestal position. So be it. I do find it ironic that Modianus used as justification that, "There is nothing in the constitution that prohibits her from running." If that is going to be our baseline to determine what is legal and what is not. He just flat out admitted that since we have no law preventing the creation of fake citizens therefore it's legal. Could it be that we already have sockpuppet citizens?
ATS: 11/2. Maxima Valeria Messallina (new)
Uti rogas. The arguments raised against her candidacy seem to be based more on politics than on anything more substantive.

QFM: XI California
Uti rogas for Q. Fabius Maximus
Abstain for Maxima Valeria Messalina
I believe that Valeria would make a fine governor. Just not as being Vesta's Handmaiden as well. I have read all the arguments that allow and disallow a Vestal to hold political offices. There is merit to all. I remain unconvinced. Therefore, I must vote my conscience. If Valeria wishes to step down from her circular temple to become governor, that would IMO be best.

PMA: I will follow gov. Maximus' appreciation on Messallina and consider that she may be given the opportunity to add a new chord to her commitment during this six months period. The Vestal status question shall need to be discussed separately, quietly and objectively, in another time this year.

A. present Proconsul Q. Fabius Maximus

UTI ROGAS: 9
ANTIQUO: 8
ABSTINEO: 0

B. Maxima Valeria Messallina, Sacerdos Vestalis

UTI ROGAS: 16
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 4

Maxima Valeria Messallina is appointed Legata pro praetore with 16 votes against 9 votes for Q. Fabius Maximus

APPOINTED: California Legata pro praetore Maxima Valeria Messallina

************

XII Canada Citerior - Legatus pro praetore T. Annaeus Regulus

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Canada Citerior Legatus pro praetore T. Annaeus Regulus

***********

XIII Canada Ulterior - Legatus pro praetore Cn. Iulius Caesar

UTI ROGAS: 24
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 1

APPOINTED: Canada Ulterior Legatus pro praetore Cn. Iulius Caesar

*****************

XIV Dacia - Proconsul T. Iulius Sabinus

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Dacia Proconsul T. Iulius Sabinus

****************

XV Gallia - Consul P. Memmius Albucius

PMA: ABS, being myself concerned.

UTI ROGAS: 24
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 1

APPOINTED: Gallia Consul P. Memmius Albucius

***********

XVI Germania - Legatus pro praetore T. Flavius Aquila

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Germania Legatus pro praetore T. Flavius Aquila

*****************

XVII Hibernia – vacant

MAM: No vote. I suggest a merging between Britannia and Hibernia.

******************

XVIII Hispania - Proconsul M. Curiatius Complutensis

LCSF – Absolutely not. This individual was accused of sockpuppetry last year. There are enough ethical questions that should prevent this individual from ever holding office again.
CEC: Abstineo - with the issue of the
fake citizen (the "sock puppet") still unresolved and not investigated, I do not
believe that this appointment is appropriate.

UTI ROGAS: 22
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 2

APPOINTED: Hispania Proconsul M. Curiatius Complutensis

**********

XIX Italia - as new Praefectus Italiae Publius Anneus Constantinus
Placidus

PMA: Placidus, proposed by the Curia Italica, is Italia's best choice in a difficult environment. I expect that he be ready and able to gather *all* the Italian forces, be a strong and available representative of the Republic in the peninsula, and keep the bridges open between NR and the friends-associations. He has my support.

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Praefectus Italiae Publius Anneus Constantinus Placidus

***************

XX Lacus Magni - Legatus pro praetore vacant

************

XXI Mediatlantica - Proconsul Ti. Galerius Paulinus

UTI ROGAS: 23
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Mediatlantica Proconsul Ti. Galerius Paulinus

*********

XXII Mexico - Proconsul M. Iulius Severus

LCSF – NO – Instead of serving Nova Roma he served his colleague and contributed to the ethical decline of Nova Roma last year.

UTI ROGAS: 23
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 1

APPOINTED: Mexico Proconsul M. Iulius Severus

***********

XXIII Nova Britannia – Proconsul M. Minucius Audens

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Nova Britannia Proconsul M. Minucius Audens

*************

XXIV Pannonia - Legatus pro praetore Cn. Cornelius Lentulus

ATS: XXIV. Pannonia - Cn. Cornelius Lentulus
Uti rogas. Lentulus is a fine and hard-working young man who has done well in everything.


UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Pannonia Legatus pro praetore Cn. Cornelius Lentulus

**********

XXV Sarmatia - as new Legatus pro praetore C. Antonius Costa

ATS: XXV. Sarmatia - C. Antonius Costa (new)
I know little about this candidate, but will vote to confirm him. Uti rogas.

PMA: Costa has shown his true interest and the strong link he keeps with the former governor, M. Octavius Corvus, who I sincerely thank for his dedication. Corvus will remain in the Sarmatican scene, focusing on religious matters.

UTI ROGAS: 25
ANTIQUO: 0
ABSTINEO: 0

APPOINTED: Sarmatia Legatus pro praetore C. Antonius Costa

*************

XXVI Thule - Legatus pro praetore C. Curius Saturninus

LCSF – NO – This person should not hold any office in Nova Roma. As a matter of fact he should be terminated from the CIO position given his actions regarding the overstep of his bounds with Censor Paulinus last year and the election fraud/fixing brought to light by the former citizen Regulus.
CEC: Abstineo - questions raised about his
handling of certain matters with the office of the censors, as well as
allegations of serious election fraud, make me wary of this appointment.

UTI ROGAS: 22
ANTIQUO: 1
ABSTINEO: 2

APPOINTED: Thule - Legatus pro praetore C. Curius Saturninus

*****************

XXVII Venedia - vacant

*************
__________________________________________

ITEM II
Decision that from now on each advise in the Senate will be published
as a separate Senatus Consultum to make it easier to look for previous
advises. Further from now on a project to organize old advises as
separate Senateus Consultum will bew set by the Consuls. All our SC
should in the end be searchable.

MMPH: For Item II, I shall await the Consul's direction to vote on the next item.

PMA: UR, though on the principle such tool still exists, for the work has already been open by sen. M. Arminius, carried on by Censorius Ti. Galerius and, recently, by myself. Now we need attentive good wills to work upon the hundreds of approved and failed SC!

Uti rogas: 24
Antiquo: 0
Abstineo: 1
The result of the voting is Item I PASSED
Senator M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus has not voted on Item II and I counted his vote as ABSTINEO.

_____________________________________________

Tribuni:

M. Octavius Corvus (reporting)
Maxima Valeria Messallina
C. Curius Saturnius
C. Petronius Dexter
C. Aquilius Rota

I thank Consul Quintilianus for help in my work. Special thanks for my colleague Maxima Valeria Messallina for advise and help while preparing my first report.

Valete bene in pace Deorum,

M. Octavius Corvus
Tribunus Plebis

> A. Tullia Scholastica C. Mariae Caecae quiritibus, sociis, peregrinisque
> bonae voluntatis S.P.D.
>
>
>
>
> C. Maria Caeca omnibus S. P. D.
>
> I have the great pleasure to congratulate and thank all who participated in
> the Certamen Latinum. You are all great sports, and there were enough of
> you to be impressive. Lingua Latina pulchra is far from dead (just in case
> anyone was wondering, grin).
>
> ATS: Vivit, et vivat in aeternum!
>
> the winner of level 1, the beginners quiz was Aula Decia Scriptrix ...a
> student, currently in Gramatica I! congratulations, Scriptrix! Watch out,
> esteemed Latinists, Scriptrix will, I suspect, be giving you some brisk
> competition next year!
>
> ATS: Tibi gratulor, Scriptrix! It is always heartening to see one¹s
> students enter such competitions...especially if they win! :-)))
>
> The winner of the advanced level is: (drum roll and trumpets, please), A.
> Tullia Scholastica.
>
> ATS: Why, thank you! Plurimas gratias! Some of that advanced level
> material was well above Level II...more like Level XII.
>
> And, lest our think she had an unfair advantage,
>
> ATS: Who, me? Advantage? We have many fine Latinists here. Many are in
> the gens Tullia, for whatever reason... ;-)
>
>
> treading right on her hem (so to speak) and within 2 points of winning were
> M. Martianus Lupus and our own Curule Aedile, Placidus.
>
> ATS: Well, well, well! Another of my students! Lupus has completed both
> Grammatica classes successfully, and started Sermo before having to drop out.
> Tibi gratulor, Lupe! Placidus is also a good Latinist...after all, his
> language is derived from Latin, and word has it that Latin is required in the
> better schools in Italy...as it used to be in the U.S. It is gratifying to
> see our magistrates in particular demonstrate competency in Latin.
>
>
> Until the last 2
> questions, I was concerned that I would have to beg Lentulus to com up with
> a tie breaker question!
>
> ATS: Oh? After the last one, I thought that you might have us write a
> summary of the first six books of Tacitus...in Latin.
>
>
> thank you all, again, for participating, and for your patience with me.
>
> ATS: It is wonderful to see our citizens (and any others) participating
> in these more intellectual ludi as well as in the circenses. The parodies
> were a lark...
>
>
> Oh
> ...and since the advanced question for $6 never quite saw the light of
> print, I gave everyone credit for it.
>
> ATS: That must have been the Tacitus question...or was it the one to
> write a sequel to the Aeneid?
>
> respectfully,
> C. Maria Caeca
>
> P.S. I would like to especially acknowledge Julia Aquila who did extremely
> well in level 1, and L. Livia Plauta, who did extremely well in level 2.
>
> ATS: More discipulae! Optimé! Macte virtúte!
>
> Vale, et valete.
>
>
>

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

M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus Quiritibus, cultoribus Deorum et omnibus salute plurimam dicit: Di vos servent cum vester.

Hodie est ante diem XVII Kalendas Apriles; haec dies nefastus est: Nepa occidit, hiemat

"If I remember rightly, on this, and the preceding day, crowds go to the Argei." ~ P. Ovius Naso, Fasti 3. 791

That is, on 16 March and then on 17 March while the rest of the City celebrates Liberalia, a procession was conducted throughout the four oldest quarters of the City to the twenty-seven saculla Argeiorum. We are told that "many other sacrifices appointed by [Numa Pompilius] and places dedicated for their performance which the pontiffs call the Argei (T. Livius 1.21.5)." The participants in the procession and rites included the Praetor Urbanus, the Pontifices and Vestales Virgines, and at least the Flamines maiores if not all of the flamines. The flamines were accompanied by their wives, the flaminicae. Something of the nature of this procession is told to us by the strictures placed on the Flaminica Dialis:

"Also, when [the flaminica Dialis] goes to the Argei, that she neither combs her head nor dresses her hair." ~ Aulus Gellius, Noctes Atticae 10.15.30

Generally the Flaminica Dialis had to wear her hair up in a conical shape atop her head. Uncombed, and not dressed, would indicate that she went in procession as though in mourning. Two months later, on the Ides of May, another procession saw the Vestales Virgineswithdrew twenty-four puppets, one from each sacullum Argea, which were then carried to the Pons Sublicius and tossed into the River Tiber. But in March the procession would seem to have been a lustratio of sorts, and like the rites of the Salii, moving from station to station within the City instead of around the limits of the City. Referring to the rites of the Argei in May, Plutarch called it the "most important ceremony of purification (Rom. Ques. 86)." An explanation for the ritual held in May comes from Greek sources like Plutarch, and this one by Dionysius of Halicarnassus.

"It is said also that the ancients sacrificed human victims to Saturn, as was done at Carthage while that city stood and as is there is done to this day among the Gauls and certain other western nations, and that Hercules, desiring to abolish the custom of this sacrifice, erected the altar upon the Saturnian hill and performed the initial rites of sacrifice with unblemished victims burning on a pure fire. And lest the people should feel any scruple at having neglected their traditional sacrifices, he taught them to appease the anger of the god by making effigies resembling the men they had been wont to bind hand and foot and throw into the stream of the Tiber, and dressing these in the same manner, to throw them into the river instead of the men, his purpose being that any superstitious dread remaining in the minds of all might be removed, since the semblance of the ancient rite would still be preserved. This the Romans continued to do every year even down to my day a little after the vernal equinox, in the month of May, on what they call the Ides (the day they mean to be the middle of the month); on this day, after offering the preliminary sacrifices according to the laws, the pontifices, as the most important of the priests are called, and with them the virgins who guard the perpetual fire, the praetors, and such of the other citizens as may lawfully be present at the rites, throw from the sacred bridge into the stream of the Tiber thirty effigies made in the likeness of men, which they call Argei." ~ Dionysius of Halicarnassus 1.38.2-3

In spite of the stories, the rites for the Argei seem to have been introduced during the period between the First and Second Punic Wars; that is, in the Mid-Third century. The number of saculla Argeiorum is recorded as twenty-four in Varro, where he gives us the location of fourteen of the saculla, as twenty-seven by Festus (15.334), and as thirty by Dionysius. The list by Varro is the most important because it seems to have derived from the official list used by the Pontifices and also gives the sequence followed by the procession. (See Lingua Latina 5.45-54, or search for Argeorum Sacraria at Lacus Curtius)

The procession held on 16-17 March is thought to have placed the puppets into their "tombs" at the saculla, later to be withdrawn in May. This may explain the mourning dress of the Flaminica Dialis. Moving as it did within the City indicates that this was a ritual purification by expulsion. The discarding of the corn puppets into the River Tiber in May is another indication of this. Today is dies ater, and nefas, and it is also religiosum due to this ritual funeral of burying by-gone ills.


AUC 760 / 37 CE: The Death of Emperor Tiberius.


Our thought for today is from L. Annaeus Seneca, Epistula ad Lucillium 108:

"Absorb not all that you wish, but all that you can hold. Only be of a sound mind, and then you will be able to hold all that you wish. For the more the mind receives, the more does it expand."

Aedili Constantino s.d.

I think that I express the opinion of all our cives: these first Ludi in 2763 were a success.

We are all looking forward for the Megalesia and the Plebeian Ceriales next month!

Thanks again to you and all your efficient assistants.


Vale Aedilis,



P. Memmius Albucius
consul

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, Ugo Coppola <ugo.coppola@...> wrote:
>
> Ædilis Curulis Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus,
> peregrinisque bonæ voluntatis salutem plurimam dicit.
>
> Hereby, I do declare the MMDCCLXIII edition of the Ludi Novi Romani
> officially *CLOSED*.
>
> On behalf of the Ædilitas of Nova Roma, I would like to thank all of the
> participants, entrants and competitors in the Chariot Race and in the
> Third Edition of "Ipse Dixit", also inviting them to join me during the
> next and upcoming Ludi events. I would also like to express my deepest,
> sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to the whole of the Cohors Ædilicia,
> and in particular to my scribæ, Gnæus Cornelius Lentulus, Lucia Iulia
> Aquila and Gaia Maria Cæca for all of their hard work and dedication.
> These Ludi were very much the result of a team effort, and they could
> have never have turned out as excellently as they did without the
> invaluable cooperation of the entire Cohors, so thanks very much to all
> of its members.
>
> Optime valete omnes,
> P. Ann. Con. Placidus
> Ædilis Curulis Novæ Romæ
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Salvete collega,

At Id. Mar. I, M.Octavius Corvus, Sacerdos Iovis, on behalf of People of Nova Roma, performed Ides ritual for IOM, using the pattern sent to me by PM M.Moravius Piscinus Horatianus.
Rite was performed at the altar of Iuppiter. I began the rite at the dawn. Sacrifice was: incense, libum, wine. My middle son, T. Octavius assisted me.
Right after the ritual I saw four ravens flying from left to right. One and then three together. I consider it clearly as the bad omen and ask Pontific Maximus to find the way to avoid problems in nearest future.

Optime valete,

CORVVS

Senator Maior

In relation to the models that we discussed earlier, I sent you the
information and four views of a model Roman hand-crane that I had
built. I hope you got the information. If you did, is that the way
that a model entry would be presented in the Ludi Games. Obviously,
the games are now over and I probably sent the information too late to
be included in the competition. This happened more than once due to
my being absent from home. However, your insight into his question
would be very valuable.

I am also aware that each year the games change their venue in keeping
with those Magistrates who are responsible for the games. However, I
entertain the idea, that just as you were kind enough to include
models in your list of competitive items, other magistrates might be
willing to do so as well.

My thanks for your kind consideration of this message and the material
previously discussed.

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens



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

Livia Petronio sal.

I think the consuls are still organizing it. There should be a meeting in
Rome in June. At least I hope it will really take place.

Optime vale,
Livia

----- Original Message -----
From: "petronius_dexter" <jfarnoud94@...>
To: <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 6:01 AM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Re: NR Parody Writing Contest - SECOND BEST PARODY by
C. Petronius Dexter


C. Petronius Liviae Plautae s.p.d.,

> I won't be there for Parilia. I will keep my energies and money for the NR
> meeting in June.

I certainly missed something, when in June and where in earth will be the NR
meeting?

Optime vale.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
Idibus Martiis P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

Salve Senator Audens;
I just wrote you privately. The praetors throw the Ludi Apollinares, which take place in the summer. They are dedicated to Apollo and Laeca and I hope they match the fabulous ones that just took place, my congratulations to the curule aedile Placidus and his entire cohors for such wonderful ludi!
Surely they have pleased the gods
M. Hortensia Maior

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, James Mathews <JLMTopog@...> wrote:
>
> Senator Maior
>
> In relation to the models that we discussed earlier, I sent you the
> information and four views of a model Roman hand-crane that I had
> built. I hope you got the information. If you did, is that the way
> that a model entry would be presented in the Ludi Games. Obviously,
> the games are now over and I probably sent the information too late to
> be included in the competition. This happened more than once due to
> my being absent from home. However, your insight into his question
> would be very valuable.
>
> I am also aware that each year the games change their venue in keeping
> with those Magistrates who are responsible for the games. However, I
> entertain the idea, that just as you were kind enough to include
> models in your list of competitive items, other magistrates might be
> willing to do so as well.
>
> My thanks for your kind consideration of this message and the material
> previously discussed.
>
> Respectfully;
>
> Marcus Audens
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Quiritibus s.d.

As you all know, our aedilis curulis maior and friend T. Flavius Aquila has considered that he could not carry on his duties for the Republic nor staying among us.

Though Aquila's resignation is a real loss for our community, the life of Rome goes on, and we need filling in the office of aedilis curulis, beside aedilis cur. Constantinus.

Every interested citizen fulfilling the legal requirements shall present her/his candidacy writing to me at my private address, before next March 20th.

Thanks for your attention, Quirites, et valete omnes.


P. Memmius Albucius
consul

M. Martiánius Lupus C. Mariae Caecae et A. Tulliae Scholasticae S.P.D.

Vóbís gratulor, Scriptrix et Magistra Scholastica! It's a pleasure to congratulate the winners of this year's Certamen Latinum. It was a most enjoyable contest.

Grátiás tibi, Magistra Scholastica, for your kind words. I was hoping to pull ahead by the last day. But alas! I see that I need to work on my Latin a bit more before I'm able to overtake you.

C. Maria Caeca, plúrimás grátiás! for this very enjoyable competition.

Optimé valé.

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "A. Tullia Scholastica" <fororom@...> wrote:
>
> > A. Tullia Scholastica C. Mariae Caecae quiritibus, sociis, peregrinisque
> > bonae voluntatis S.P.D.
> >
> > C. Maria Caeca omnibus S. P. D.
> >
> > I have the great pleasure to congratulate and thank all who participated in
> > the Certamen Latinum. You are all great sports, and there were enough of
> > you to be impressive. Lingua Latina pulchra is far from dead (just in case
> > anyone was wondering, grin).
> >
> > ATS: Vivit, et vivat in aeternum!
> >
> > the winner of level 1, the beginners quiz was Aula Decia Scriptrix ...a
> > student, currently in Gramatica I! congratulations, Scriptrix! Watch out,
> > esteemed Latinists, Scriptrix will, I suspect, be giving you some brisk
> > competition next year!
> >
> > ATS: Tibi gratulor, Scriptrix! It is always heartening to see one¹s
> > students enter such competitions...especially if they win! :-)))
> >
> > The winner of the advanced level is: (drum roll and trumpets, please), A.
> > Tullia Scholastica.
> >
> > ATS: Why, thank you! Plurimas gratias! Some of that advanced level
> > material was well above Level II...more like Level XII.
> >
> > And, lest our think she had an unfair advantage,
> >
> > ATS: Who, me? Advantage? We have many fine Latinists here. Many are in
> > the gens Tullia, for whatever reason... ;-)
> >
> > treading right on her hem (so to speak) and within 2 points of winning were
> > M. Martianus Lupus and our own Curule Aedile, Placidus.
> >
> > ATS: Well, well, well! Another of my students! Lupus has completed both
> > Grammatica classes successfully, and started Sermo before having to drop out.
> > Tibi gratulor, Lupe! Placidus is also a good Latinist...after all, his
> > language is derived from Latin, and word has it that Latin is required in the
> > better schools in Italy...as it used to be in the U.S. It is gratifying to
> > see our magistrates in particular demonstrate competency in Latin.
> >
> > Until the last 2
> > questions, I was concerned that I would have to beg Lentulus to com up with
> > a tie breaker question!
> >
> > ATS: Oh? After the last one, I thought that you might have us write a
> > summary of the first six books of Tacitus...in Latin.
> >
> >
> > thank you all, again, for participating, and for your patience with me.
> >
> > ATS: It is wonderful to see our citizens (and any others) participating
> > in these more intellectual ludi as well as in the circenses. The parodies
> > were a lark...
> >
> > Oh
> > ...and since the advanced question for $6 never quite saw the light of
> > print, I gave everyone credit for it.
> >
> > ATS: That must have been the Tacitus question...or was it the one to
> > write a sequel to the Aeneid?
> >
> > respectfully,
> > C. Maria Caeca
> >
> > P.S. I would like to especially acknowledge Julia Aquila who did extremely
> > well in level 1, and L. Livia Plauta, who did extremely well in level 2.
> >
> > ATS: More discipulae! Optimé! Macte virtúte!
> >
> > Vale, et valete.
> >

>
>
> A. Tullia Scholastica M. Martiánió Lupó C. Mariae Caecae quiritibus, sociis,
> peregrinisque bonae voluntatis S.P.D.
>
>
> M. Martiánius Lupus C. Mariae Caecae et A. Tulliae Scholasticae S.P.D.
>
> Vóbís gratulor, Scriptrix et Magistra Scholastica! It's a pleasure to
> congratulate the winners of this year's Certamen Latinum. It was a most
> enjoyable contest.
>
> ATS: Plurimas gratias! Et tibi gratulor! Indeed, it was quite
> enjoyable, as were all of the certamina and ludi on this occasion. I wish I
> could have entered the Ipse Dixit one, too, but just could not this time
> around.
>
> Grátiás tibi, Magistra Scholastica, for your kind words. I was hoping to pull
> ahead by the last day. But alas! I see that I need to work on my Latin a bit
> more before I'm able to overtake you.
>
> ATS: You¹re quite welcome. It¹s good to see my students entering such
> competitions...and doing well! At first I didn¹t realize that we had to
> answer the Level I questions if we entered at Level II, so may have missed a
> day or two, but the last day was the killer. Composition is not easy. As for
> your abilities, young man, in order to enhance those, you may have to bite
> your tongue and reenter Sermo I; it is a wonderful course, and one which
> really helped my fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Latin, though the
> method is not one I consider best adapted to my particular learning style.
> The Combined class is over 3/4 through the program already, working on the
> third exam; Sermo II is done except for the final and my correction of their
> interminable midterm (almost done...), and Sermo I will soon be in an
> all-Latin environment. That immersion does help...and so does attending a
> Conventiculum, though I doubt they have those where you are in Hawaii. It¹s
> just such an un-Roman environment... ;-) You may have to go to Wenatchee or
> California for that.
>
> C. Maria Caeca, plúrimás grátiás! for this very enjoyable competition.
>
> ATS: And I add my thanks as well! I won¹t use the apices here as they
> distort the letters on some people¹s mail, but appreciate your devotion
> thereto.
>
> Optimé valé.
>
> Optime vale et valete.
>
>
>
> --- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Nova-Roma%40yahoogroups.com> , "A.
> Tullia Scholastica" <fororom@...> wrote:
>> >
>>> > > A. Tullia Scholastica C. Mariae Caecae quiritibus, sociis,
>>> peregrinisque
>>> > > bonae voluntatis S.P.D.
>>> > >
>>> > > C. Maria Caeca omnibus S. P. D.
>>> > >
>>> > > I have the great pleasure to congratulate and thank all who participated

in

>>> > > the Certamen Latinum. You are all great sports, and there were enough

of

>>> > > you to be impressive. Lingua Latina pulchra is far from dead (just in
>>> case
>>> > > anyone was wondering, grin).
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Vivit, et vivat in aeternum!
>>> > >
>>> > > the winner of level 1, the beginners quiz was Aula Decia Scriptrix ...a
>>> > > student, currently in Gramatica I! congratulations, Scriptrix! Watch
>>> out,
>>> > > esteemed Latinists, Scriptrix will, I suspect, be giving you some brisk
>>> > > competition next year!
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Tibi gratulor, Scriptrix! It is always heartening to see >>>

one¹s

>>> > > students enter such competitions...especially if they win! :-)))
>>> > >
>>> > > The winner of the advanced level is: (drum roll and trumpets, please),

A.

>>> > > Tullia Scholastica.
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Why, thank you! Plurimas gratias! Some of that advanced >>>

level

>>> > > material was well above Level II...more like Level XII.
>>> > >
>>> > > And, lest our think she had an unfair advantage,
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Who, me? Advantage? We have many fine Latinists here. Many
>>> are in
>>> > > the gens Tullia, for whatever reason... ;-)
>>> > >
>>> > > treading right on her hem (so to speak) and within 2 points of winning
>>> were
>>> > > M. Martianus Lupus and our own Curule Aedile, Placidus.
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Well, well, well! Another of my students! Lupus has
>>> completed both
>>> > > Grammatica classes successfully, and started Sermo before having to drop
>>> out.
>>> > > Tibi gratulor, Lupe! Placidus is also a good Latinist...after all, his
>>> > > language is derived from Latin, and word has it that Latin is required
>>> in the
>>> > > better schools in Italy...as it used to be in the U.S. It is gratifying

to

>>> > > see our magistrates in particular demonstrate competency in Latin.
>>> > >
>>> > > Until the last 2
>>> > > questions, I was concerned that I would have to beg Lentulus to com up
>>> with
>>> > > a tie breaker question!
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: Oh? After the last one, I thought that you might have us
>>> write a
>>> > > summary of the first six books of Tacitus...in Latin.
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > thank you all, again, for participating, and for your patience with me.
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: It is wonderful to see our citizens (and any others)
>>> participating
>>> > > in these more intellectual ludi as well as in the circenses. The
>>> parodies
>>> > > were a lark...
>>> > >
>>> > > Oh
>>> > > ...and since the advanced question for $6 never quite saw the light of
>>> > > print, I gave everyone credit for it.
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: That must have been the Tacitus question...or was it the one

to

>>> > > write a sequel to the Aeneid?
>>> > >
>>> > > respectfully,
>>> > > C. Maria Caeca
>>> > >
>>> > > P.S. I would like to especially acknowledge Julia Aquila who did
>>> extremely
>>> > > well in level 1, and L. Livia Plauta, who did extremely well in level 2.
>>> > >
>>> > > ATS: More discipulae! Optimé! Macte virtúte!
>>> > >
>>> > > Vale, et valete.
>>> > >
>
>
>

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

================================================================
explorator 12.47 March 14, 2010
================================================================
Editor's note: Most urls should be active for at least eight
hours from the time of publication.

For your computer's protection, Explorator is sent in plain text
and NEVER has attachments. Be suspicious of any Explorator which
arrives otherwise!!!
================================================================
================================================================
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Diana Wright,
Donna Hurst, Adrienne Mayor,Edward Rockstein,Patrick Swan,
Rick Heli,Hernan Astudillo, Doug Weller, Donna Hurst, Barnea Selavan,
Kurt Theis, Duke Jason Griffiths,John McMahon, Joseph Lauer,
Terrence Lockyer,Mike Ruggeri,Bob Heuman, Rochelle Altman,
Rick Pettigrew, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).


Don't forget to set your clocks ahead if you're in a part of
the world that does that today ...
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
More on that 'lost tribe' in Zimbabwe:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8550614.stm
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
The DNA focus seems to be shifting from Tut to Akhenaten:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36792
http://sify.com/news/mummy-of-egypt-s-monotheist-pharaoh-to-return-home-news-offbeat-kdlxuicebdi.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2011317468_apmlegypthereticpharaoh.html?syndication=rss
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100312/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_heretic_pharaoh_5
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=10074330
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100311/D9ECLFKO0.html

... with suggestions that the pyramids should now get this same sort of
'scientific' treatment:

http://archaeology.org/blog/?p=903

An update of sorts on the 'Avenue of the Sphinxes':

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7060963.ece

Zahi Hawass was talking in Toronto:

http://heritage-key.com/blogs/owenjarus/they%E2%80%99ve-found-opening-egyptologists-reach-end-tunnel-seti-i-tomb

... and he's just posted on digs in the Valley of the Kings:

http://www.drhawass.com/node/450

Looks like politics vel simm. has intruded into the grand opening
of the restored synagogue in Egypt:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfV1Vro5CdizKV0ZAJgOMhG1p55wD9EEDLT80
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3862449,00.html

A 150 000 years b.p. site in northern Iraq:

http://praguemonitor.com/2010/03/08/czech-archaeologists-find-oldest-settlement-arbil-north-iraq

Illegal construction threatens the purported tomb of Cyrus I:

http://www.cais-soas.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=117:illegal-construction-threatening-the-achaemenid-tomb-in-bushehr&catid=41

Article on the how the alphabet came from hieroglyphs:

http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=36&Issue=02&ArticleID=6

More on Queen Behenu:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20100312/twl-ancient-sarcophagus-of-egyptian-quee-41f21e0.html

More on the return of Imesy's sarcophagus to Egypt:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8566538.stm
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/TechandScience/Story/STIStory_501841.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j6Giq4ug5d8ZCAejGhzOxzIwyYZQD9EDP2V00
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hpxW6-cNYd4T6fi3IxBhn6H1MuFA

More on the identification of Neta'im:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308095459.htm
http://www.physorg.com/news187274588.html

More on Mazar's wall find:

http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2010/02/eilat-mazars-1980s-excavations-and.html
http://www.ritmeyer.com/2010/02/22/first-temple-period-wall-found-in-jerusalem
http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2010/03/dating-of-mazars-wall.html

Review of Weston Fields, *The Dead Sea Scrolls*:

http://www.brill.nl/downloads/Murphy-O%27Connor-review.doc

Egyptology News Blog:

http://egyptology.blogspot.com/

Egyptology Blog:

http://www.egyptologyblog.co.uk/

Dr Leen Ritmeyer's Blog:

http://blog.ritmeyer.com/

Paleojudaica:

http://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/

Persepolis Fortification Archives:

http://persepolistablets.blogspot.com/

Archaeologist at Large:

http://spaces.msn.com/members/ArchaeologyinEgypt/
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
I think we've mentioned this 'priestess' burial from Crete before:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/03/archaeology-priestesses-tombs-unearthed-on-crete/1

Recent finds during Thessaloniki's metro construction:

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=8517089&maindocimg=8514989&service=144

A Roman bath from Tarragona:

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/archaeological_find_roman_baths_unearthed_in_tarragona/0803100221am

The Starosel tomb has been dated to the 4th century b.c.:

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114097
http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2010-03-12&article=32484

Bulgarian archaeologists are fighting to save a Cybele temple:

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114155

Finds from Aiane:

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=8503037&maindocimg=8508389&service=144

Roman and Byzantine burials near Damascus:

http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201003095122/Travel/syrian-archaeologists-roman-and-byzantine-graveyards-unearthed-near-damascus.html
http://www.sana.sy/eng/35/2010/03/09/277178.htm

Plenty of press this week for a plan to illuminate the whole
length of Hadrian's Wall:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jxbpvNFMec_UEaYB7kWrM-1bdNFQ
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gW4pRms8a0TSTpEzshXz3piz4IMw
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8556000/8556137.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8565759.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/best_of_britain/article7038143.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8558012.stm

... and here's what it looked like:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8565759.stm?ls
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8566649.stm (photos)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/14/2845246.htm?section=justin
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1257842/Hadrians-Wall-lights-mark-1600th-anniversary-end-Roman-rule.html

Interesting Roman 'pendant' coming to auction:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7413099/Roman-jewel-depicting-emperor-expected-to-sell-for-50000.html

How sites in Greece are being affected by the economy:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/greece-acropolis-debt-crisis-athens
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-12-greek-heritage-crumbles

Mary Beard was talking Pompeii:

http://badgerherald.com/news/2010/03/12/lecturer_pompeii_sti.php

What Andrew Wallace-Hadrill is up to:

http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=16937

Tony Perrotet ponders Cleopatra's looks:

http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article03081001.aspx

Interview with Adrienne Mayor:

http://www.bloomberginstitute.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a4hdybOjtZgQ

Ancient Greek podcast:

http://ancientgreek.mypodcast.com/index.html

Spartacus production is delayed:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/arts/television/10arts-SPARTACUSISD_BRF.html

Review of Christian Cameron, *Tyrant: Funeral Games* (fiction):

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-tyrant-funeral-games-by-christian-cameron/article1496033/

Review of Mary Reed and Eric Mayer, *Eight for Eternity* (fiction
... scroll down):

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/447752-Fiction_Book_Reviews_2_8_2010.php

Latest reviews from Scholia:

http://www.classics.ukzn.ac.za/reviews/

Latest reviews from BMCR:

http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/recent.html

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remember all those headless skeletons in a mass grave at Dorset?
Turns out they're definitely Scandinavian in origin:

http://archaeology.org/blog/?p=908
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8565524.stm (video)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8563719.stm (photos)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8563377.stm
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/03/12/Skeletons-IDd-as-beheaded-Viking-raiders/UPI-20781268441370/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/03/11/decapitated-bodies-found-in-dorset-burial-pit-were-executed-vikings-115875-22104588/
http://www.physorg.com/news187605092.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/mar/12/dorset-decapitated-bodies-vikings

Underwater pipeline construction in the Baltic has revealed a
number of shipwrecks from various periods:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36761
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,682506,00.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124637816&ft=1&f=1007
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/777093--ancient-shipwrecks-found-in-baltic-sea-by-pipeline-builder
http://news.scotsman.com/world/Ancient-shipwrecks-found--intact.6137348.jp
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100308/lf_afp/swedenhistoryshippingwreckgaspipeline
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/7405326/Workers-on-Baltic-Sea-pipeline-discover-1000-year-old-wrecks.html

Evidence for a famine in Greenland 1000 years b.p.:

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/norse-vikings-iceland-greenland.html
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57056/title/Ancient_Norse_colonies_hit_bad_climate_times

Pondering the Jacobite march from Culloden to Nairn:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8559535.stm

Nice overviewish-opeddish thing on the Staffordshire Hoard:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article7058091.ece

cf: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565935.stm

Latest artifact from the Mary Rose is interesting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/8564209.stm

Latest Lewis Chessmen news:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1639532
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8559305.stm
http://news.scotsman.com/inverness/Lewis-chessmen-must-stay-in.6141066.jp

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

http://www.archaeology.eu.com/weblog/index.html
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
A 40 000 years b.p. aboriginal meeting ground:

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/australia-aborigines-tribe.html
http://www.physorg.com/news187445314.html
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1834945/archaeologists_discover_ancient_aboriginal_meeting_ground/index.html?source=r_science
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/10/2841317.htm

Brief item on the 'father of the Great Wall':

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2010-03/11/content_9572937.htm
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2010-03/09/content_19566968.htm

Qin Shihuang's tomb has a north gate:

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90873/6912245.html

Feature on Zheng He:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1969939,00.html?xid=rss-fullworld-yahoo

A number of very vague reports this week about Muziris and the
'Rome connection' this week:

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/03/14/stories/2010031464022200.htm
http://sify.com/news/researcher-reveals-kerala-s-possible-mediterranean-link-news-international-kdknOeiijhi.html

Somewhat confusing item about bronze and iron age paintings at
Buddhist sites in Pakistan:

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=347433&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23

A Chola period temple from Jaffna:

http://sify.com/news/ancient-chola-period-temple-unearthed-in-north-jaffna-news-international-kdknOfcafbb.html
http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/03/09/news12.asp
Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://www.nzarchaeology.org/netsubnews.htm
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Archaeologists want to check out Cavanaugh Mound a bit more
closely:

http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/8934

Arguing about the Oxford stones:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/us/14oxford.html

Humans are off the hook for musk ox decline 12 000 years b.p.:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308171152.htm

Interesting ideas about Salado pottery:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310101726.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/1003/abstracts/womensw.html

Latest video at the Archaeology Channel is about 'Finding Clovis':

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/

... and some Clovis points have been found in Alaska:

http://qmackie.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/fluted-points-from-the-bering-land-bridge/

Arguing about a street name in New Jersey:

https://mail.google.com/mail/#label/4explorator/12747fce5ba776ef

They've preserved FDR's dorm room at Harvard:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/arts/design/12antiques.html

Some Bowery history:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/nyregion/14bowery.html

Review of Anthony Brandt, *The Man Who Ate His Boots*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/books/review/Wheeler-t.html

Review of Max Watman, *Chasing the White Dog*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/books/review/Sussman-t.html
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Evidence of double-burial for quite a long period prior to
the arrival of Europeans in the Baja region:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100309-double-burials-mexico-graves/
http://sify.com/news/double-burial-was-practiced-for-4-500-years-in-ancient-mexico-news-international-kdlp4ggebhg.html

Primitive tools from Cuba:

http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2010/03/09/20522/primitive_agricultural_tools_found_villa_clara.html

Pondering El Porvenir (Venezuela) while we still can:

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/venezuela/100301/el-porvenir-archaeology-indigenous

Remains of a headless man in the Temple of the Murals at
Bonampak:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/12/dead-sea-scrolls-minnesota/?refid=0
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100312-headless-bonampak-tomb-maya-torture-mural/

They've finished restoration on a number of murals at Tetitla Palace:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36796

A Mayan weapons/tools manufacturing site:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36818
http://dti.inah.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=39&Itemid=150

I think we've had a version of this Maya plumbing story before:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/03/maya-pyramid-plumbing-unearthed-by-archaeologists/1

... and the murals at Calakmul:

http://www.livescience.com/history/ancient-mayan-murals-100306.html

Nazca Civilization was a victim of deforestation, apparently:

http://www.naturalnews.com/028358_deforestation_human_civilization.html

Machu Picchu will be reopening soon:

http://www.skynews.com.au/eco/article.aspx?id=439433
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_501674.html

Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://web.mac.com/michaelruggeri

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
Since its pi day, here's a brief history thereof:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/191389/a_brief_history_of_pi.html

A hidden Giotto in Florence:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36715

Blogging the restoration of a Van Gogh:

http://www.physorg.com/news187542304.html

Good Housekeeping at 125:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/business/media/08adco.html

Google plans to digitize a number of old books from libraries
in Rome and Florence:

http://www.physorg.com/news187442405.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8561245.stm

... and folks might be interested to know that Google has updated
its translation services:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/technology/09translate.html

Glossing 'mad as a hatter':

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/weekinreview/07ryan.html

... and Alice in Algebraland:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/opinion/07bayley.html

Caravaggio has passed Michelangelo, apparently:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/arts/design/10abroad.html

Pondering the perennial question: who wrote Shakespeare?:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/mar/14/who-wrote-shakespeare-james-shapiro

Followup to that sale of the Vasari archive:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/07/michelangelo-letters-auction-vasari
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8558589.stm

Soil samples and human history:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8557448.stm

Gossip about Mel Gibson's Viking movie:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/mel-gibson-says-vikings-movie-with-leonardo-dicaprio-may-be-his-last.html

Interesting series in the NYT called 'Retelling the War'
(read 'from the bottom up'):

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/retelling-the-war/

Nice little gallery of underwater archaeology:

http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Underwater-Archaeology

More on the origin of small dogs:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100223191924.htm

Review of Stephen Hall, *Wisdom*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/books/review/Holt-t.html

Review of Jonathan Phillips, *Holy Warriors*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/books/review/Ormsby-t.html

Review of Elizabeth Samet, *The Untold War*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/books/review/Samet-t.html

Review of assorted tomes about maps:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/books/review/Heller-t.html
================================================================
BLOGS AND PODCASTS
================================================================
About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Naked Archaeology Podcast:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/archaeology/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/

================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Nigeria is working to prevent the smuggling of antiquities:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201003130006.html

Theft of a Coptic cross in Bristol:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8565013.stm

Bringin you up-to-date on the Utah case:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-artifacts10-2010mar10,0,716408.story
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/us/09artifacts.html

A bust in Bulgaria:

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=114165

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Not sure we've mentioned this Roman coin hoard from Warwickshire
yet:

http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/newsl/Warmingtons-buried-treasure-may-reveal.6145965.jp

More on that Hellenistic hoard from Syria:

http://www.coinnews.net/2010/03/08/ancient-alexander-the-great-coins-unearthed-in-syria/

Latest issue of the e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v13n10.html

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Link:

http://www.coinlink.com/News/
================================================================
EXHIBITIONS, AUCTIONS, AND MUSEUM-RELATED
================================================================
DSS:

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/03/09/dead-sea-scrolls-come-st-paul
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/12/dead-sea-scrolls-minnesota/?refid=0
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/03/11/dead-sea-scrolls-science-museum-ancient-fragments-hidden-secrets
http://www.twincities.com/entertainment/ci_14659654

S.., Death and Sacrifice in the Mochica Religion:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36791

To Live Forever:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/arts/design/12ancient.html

Musical Instruments at the Met:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/arts/music/12instruments.html

Treasures of Weymouth Relief Road:

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5038162._Treasures__of_Weymouth_Relief_Road_to_go_on_show/

Lalla Essaydi:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/nyregion/07artsnj.html

Chinese Bronze Age Jade:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/arts/design/12antiques.html

Mechanics of Man:

http://www.physorg.com/news187448331.html

The Indian Portrait:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=36755

I think we mentioned these items lent to the Met by Italy before:

http://antiquesandthearts.com/Antiques/TradeTalk/2010-03-09__10-19-58.html

The Maastricht Art Fair is under way:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/arts/13iht-melik13.html

Out of the period of our purview, but interesting for comparison
purposes ... an Einstein manuscript:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/world/middleeast/11einstein.html

A History of the World (BM)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/explorerflash/

================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND THEATRE-RELATED
================================================================
Medea:

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Theatre-review-Medea.6140761.jp

Blind:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/theater/reviews/09blind.html

Duchess of Malfi:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/theater/reviews/09duchess.html

The Demons (12 hours?!?):

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/theater/12play.html

French Art Song:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/nyregion/07musicwe.html

Boston Baroque:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/arts/music/08vespers.html
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Sir Kenneth Dover:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7054392.ece
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7400324/Sir-Kenneth-Dover.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/mar/08/sir-kenneth-dover-obituary
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMWPVlFm-ahopi0DUhx4qv3MEE0wD9EB3J1G1
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/books/14dover.html
http://news.scotsman.com/obituaries/Sir-Kenneth-Dover.6133799.jp
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/greek-scholar-sir-kenneth-356957.html

Richard Stites:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/books/13stites.html
================================================================
PODCASTS
================================================================
The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm

The Dig:

http://www.thedigradio.com/

Stone Pages Archaeology News:

http://news.stonepages.com/

Archaeologica Audio News:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/AudioNews.asp
================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a weekly newsletter representing the fruits of
the labours of 'media research division' of The Atrium. Various
on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of the
ancient world (broadly construed: practically anything relating
to archaeology or history prior to about 1700 or so is fair
game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of
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================================================================
Explorator is Copyright (c) 2010 David Meadows. Feel free to
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links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether
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================================================================

Cn. Lentulus legatus pro praetore Pannoniae Quiritibus sal.

I am glad to announce this preliminary invitation the a Nova Roman event in Pannonia (Hungary), in Budapest, ancient city of Aquincum, celebrating the 2000th Anniversary of the Romans occupying the province (2009-2010 are declared the two years of celebration of the founding of Pannonia).

DATE: 22-23 MAY.

All Nova Romans are invited, accommodation will be provided at the homes of Pannonian Nova Romans and meal will be free!

Please send me a private note if you are interested.

The event is planned to be international, it depends on your participation from other provinces. Last year we had such excellent guests like Flamen C. Petronius from Gallia, A. Apollonius Cordus from Britannia, aedilicius Sex. Lucilius Tutor and others as well.

The Floralia of Aquincum is a great carnival organized by the Aquincum Museum, the 21st time this time, with which the Pannonian province of Nova Roma collaborates in organizing the programs. This is the 3rd time when Nova Roma is a co-organizer of the event.

There will be various activities and programs, spectacles, gladiators, legions, civilians, religious celebrations, Roman fashion show, plays, and much more.

More detailed announcements are coming soon.

Please send me a private note if you are interested.

VALETE!

CN CORNELIVS LENTVLVS
LEGATVS PRO PRAETORE PANNONIAE

Omnibus s.d.



I am glad to support this initiative of my dear colleague. In this mind, I accept to consider having agreed for signing this joint invitation.



This Rome event, in my mind, must be first a working meeting on NR top issues.



Even if a physical meeting is always a good thing, this event will have more chances of success if the question of our new Bylaws has been previously set (voted), and that it allows, apart the sweet pleasure breathing all together Roman atmosphere and the smell of pizze, several real working times on well pre-defined matters.



Last, I cannot say yet if I will be myself able to attend it, for this period is not the best one in my agenda, as I told my colleague, June being always, professionally, a busier period for me, sometimes w-e included.



Thanks for your understanding et valete omnes,





Albucius cos.

> From: christer.edling@...
> To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com; albucius_aoe@...
> Subject: A joint invitation to Rome
> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:27:50 +0100
> CC: SenatusRomanus@yahoogroups.com; novaroma-announce@yahoogroups.com; Cohors_CFBQ@yahoogroups.com
>
> Ex Officio Consulis Caesonis Fabii Buteonis Quintiliani
>
> The Nineth Consular edict CFBQ on the joint Consular invition to an
> International Conventus in Rome
>
>
> The Consuls of Nova Roma cordially invite Senatores, Magistrates,
> Accensi, Scribae and all other citizens of Nova Roma to the 2010
> International Nova Roma Conventus in Rome, Italy from June 17 to June
> 21 2010.
>
> Within these four days we will share our visions and hopes for the
> endeavors that will bring the Glory of Rome to life once again.
> Surrounded by the beauty of Rome we will walk the cobble stone streets
> where our ancestors tread, touch the walls of ancient monuments built
> with their own hands and sit on the ancient walls of fountains while
> discussing our plans for the future of Nova Roma. Being inspired by
> our surroundings we will dine on food descended from Rome�s many
> conquests and build camaraderie with each other while creating
> strategies to build a strong foundation for our initiatives.
>
> Over the four day period there will be planned tours, dinners,
> discussions, hearings, consultations and presentations including free
> time to enjoy Rome on your own or with other Novi Romani. We will
> also urganize religious ceremonies tothe plesure of the Gods. Please
> find time in your busy schedules to attend so we can form a strong
> presence in Europe as well as in North and South America for a unified
> Nova Roma.
>
> Come be part of the rebirth of Romanitas, the revival of the Roman
> Gods and the renaissance of Nova Roma!
>
> A detailed program and advises or directions on acccomodations will be
> published later.
>
> Given by
> Publius Memmius Albucius et Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus, Consules
>
> this 16th of March, in the year of the Consulship of P. Memmius
> Albucius and the Second Consulship of K.Fabius Buteo Quintilianus,
> 2763 AUC.
> *****************
> Vale
>
> Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus
>
> Consul Iterum
> Princeps Senatus et Flamen Palatualis
> Civis Romanus sum
> http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page
> ************************************************
> Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
> "I'll either find a way or make one"
> ************************************************
> Dignitas, Iustitia, Fidelitas et Pietas
> Dignity, Justice, Loyalty and Dutifulness
> ************************************************
> Mons Palatinus, Clivus Victoriae
> Palatine Hill, Incline of Victoriae
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail arrive sur votre t�l�phone ! Compatible Iphone, Windows Phone, Blackberry, �
http://www.messengersurvotremobile.com/?d=Hotmail

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

Ex Officio Consulis Caesonis Fabii Buteonis Quintiliani

The Nineth Consular edict CFBQ on the joint Consular invition to an
International Conventus in Rome


The Consuls of Nova Roma cordially invite Senatores, Magistrates,
Accensi, Scribae and all other citizens of Nova Roma to the 2010
International Nova Roma Conventus in Rome, Italy from June 17 to June
21 2010.

Within these four days we will share our visions and hopes for the
endeavors that will bring the Glory of Rome to life once again.
Surrounded by the beauty of Rome we will walk the cobble stone streets
where our ancestors tread, touch the walls of ancient monuments built
with their own hands and sit on the ancient walls of fountains while
discussing our plans for the future of Nova Roma. Being inspired by
our surroundings we will dine on food descended from Rome’s many
conquests and build camaraderie with each other while creating
strategies to build a strong foundation for our initiatives.

Over the four day period there will be planned tours, dinners,
discussions, hearings, consultations and presentations including free
time to enjoy Rome on your own or with other Novi Romani. We will
also urganize religious ceremonies tothe plesure of the Gods. Please
find time in your busy schedules to attend so we can form a strong
presence in Europe as well as in North and South America for a unified
Nova Roma.

Come be part of the rebirth of Romanitas, the revival of the Roman
Gods and the renaissance of Nova Roma!

A detailed program and advises or directions on acccomodations will be
published later.

Given by
Publius Memmius Albucius et Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus, Consules

this 16th of March, in the year of the Consulship of P. Memmius
Albucius and the Second Consulship of K.Fabius Buteo Quintilianus,
2763 AUC.
*****************
Vale

Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus

Consul Iterum
Princeps Senatus et Flamen Palatualis
Civis Romanus sum
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page
************************************************
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
"I'll either find a way or make one"
************************************************
Dignitas, Iustitia, Fidelitas et Pietas
Dignity, Justice, Loyalty and Dutifulness
************************************************
Mons Palatinus, Clivus Victoriae
Palatine Hill, Incline of Victoriae

Caeca Lupo Scholasticae, omnibusque S. P. D.

Thank you all for the kind words, but I cannot take full credit for these certamena! I had more than substantial help from Cn. Cornelius Lentulus (bless him), and it was he, not I, who was responsible for most of the advanced questions! He helped me in many other ways as well, so this truly was a team effort, and I am delighted to thank him, profusely and publicly.

As to the tie breaker question that didn't have to be asked ...it wouldn't have been too hard ...just a Latin translation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus! Being the generous soul that I am, of course, I would have given you ...24 hours, so it would have been *no* problem!

Vale et valete quam optime,
C. Maria Caeca

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

>
>
> A. Tullia Scholastica C. Mariae Caecae M. Martianio Lupo quiritibus, sociis,
> peregrinisque bonae voluntatis S.P.D.
>
>
> Caeca Lupo Scholasticae, omnibusque S. P. D.
>
> Thank you all for the kind words, but I cannot take full credit for these
> certamena! I had more than substantial help from Cn. Cornelius Lentulus
> (bless him),
>
> ATS: Bless him indeed! I suspected that less than one year of Latin was
> not quite enough to come up with some of these little goodies.
>
>
> and it was he, not I, who was responsible for most of the advanced questions!
> He helped me in many other ways as well, so this truly was a team effort, and
> I am delighted to thank him, profusely and publicly.
>
> ATS: We are blessed to have him among us.
>
> As to the tie breaker question that didn't have to be asked ...it wouldn't
> have been too hard ...just a Latin translation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus!
> Being the generous soul that I am, of course, I would have given you ...24
> hours, so it would have been *no* problem!
>
> ATS: Oh? And would you supply the original text? Methinks I have
> Macbeth and some others, but Coriolanus is a bit récherché. Moreover, trust
> me, not even Avitus could do a Shakespearean play in 24 hours...though he
> would get a lot farther than any of us. Now, maybe a Terentian or Plautan
> play...how about Sophokles? W pai, pai dystonatatos, Hlektra matros, tin¹
> aei, takeis, hwd¹akoreston oimwgan... (haven¹t checked the text; hope my
> memory is reasonably sound...)
>
> No problem, my foot, young lady!
>
> Vale et valete quam optime,
> C. Maria Caeca
>
> Valete!
>
>

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

(My apologies for the delayed posting of this oath, but last week was very busy)

I, Marcus Cornelius Gualterus Graecus (Walter M. Shandruk) do hereby solemnly swear to uphold the honor of Nova Roma, and to act always in the best interests of the people and the Senate of Nova Roma.

As a magistrate of Nova Roma, I, Marcus Cornelius Gualterus Graecus (Walter M. Shandruk) swear to honor the Gods and Goddesses of Rome in my public dealings, and to pursue the Roman Virtues in my public and private life.

I, Marcus Cornelius Gualterus Graecus (Walter M. Shandruk) swear to uphold and defend the Religio Romana as the State Religion of Nova Roma and swear never to act in a way that would threaten its status as the State Religion.

I, Marcus Cornelius Gualterus Graecus (Walter M. Shandruk) swear to protect and defend the Constitution of Nova Roma.

I, Marcus Cornelius Gualterus Graecus (Walter M. Shandruk) further swear to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of the office of Quaestor to the best of my abilities.

On my honor as a Citizen of Nova Roma, and in the presence of the Gods and Goddesses of the Roman people and by their will and favor, do I accept the position of Quaestor and all the rights, privileges, obligations, and responsibilities attendant thereto.

Honored Consuls;

My thanks for your kind invitation. However, I am keyed to a previous commitment with wife and friends and will be feverishly preparing for a flight to England to spend the following three days there, prior to a North Atlantic sea voyage.

Respectfully;

Marcus Audens.




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

P. Memmius Albucius cos. Patribus, collegae, magistratibus, omn.que in senatu s.d.

Considering that:
- I have informed the senate and the citizens of my intent convening the senate on last March 10 (msg ML # 74470 and SL # 16804);
- the tensed schedule, specially due to the difficulty to obtain favorable auspices, has made clear that March 21st was a more convenient day than the day before to open the senate session;
- Mag. augurum Moravius has taken at dawn, this a.d. XI Apr. 2763 auc (Th. March 18, 2010), the required auspices which were favorable;

Quod bonum felixque sit populo romano quiritium, I edict the following and referimus ad vos, Patres conscripti:


Art. 1 : The Senate is hereby convened for a session. Its advice and/or decision is asked, in the frame of this session, on the agenda presented in the relatio presented below ;

Art. 2 : The Senate is considered as being composed by all the senators present on the last album senatorium, such as issued by the censors, minus Ullerius (PUSV) who has resigned since. The Senate is thus composed at the present time of 30 senators.

Art. 3 : The senate will be asked to issue a vote on certain items, but not on other ones which are proposed to the Curia either for its information, or for discussion so that a further decision may be taken in the best environment as possible. The relatio will specify the type of each of its items (information, discussion, discussion +vote) ;

Art. 4 : The time table of the whole session is the following one, every hour being expressed for Rome, except in the table below:
a)
5.1. Session
Beginning: 14:00 hour, a.d. XII Kal. Apr. (March 21) ; end: sunset a.d. IV Kal. Apr. (March. 29)
5.2. Contio
Beginning: 15:00 hour, a.d. XII Kal. Apr. (March 21) ; end: 15:00 hour, a.d. VI Kal. Apr. (Mar. 27)
5.3. Vote
Beginning: 16:30 hour, a.d. VI Kal. Feb. (Mar. 27); end: 16:30 hour, a.d. IV Kal. Apr. (March. 29)

b) The session will be closed on NP dies a.d. XI and X Kal. Apr. (March 22 and 23) and reopened at Rome time dawn on 24th (a.d. IX Kal. Apr.).




Art. 5 : The senators are reminded to, and thanked for, observing the SC on the �adoption of internal regulations of the Senate (Senate closed out of sessions, moderation, no discussion when voting)� adopted a.d. III Nonas Dec. 2762 auc (Dec. 3, 2010). Its text may be consulted again at: http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Consular_report_of_December_2762_auc_session .



Art. 6 : The relatio ('agenda') of the present session is the following one:

Item I � Provinces � Definition and delineation � European provinces � Oblast Kaliningrad - amendment (discussion + vote)
Item II � Provinces � Definition and delineation � Oceania Asia and Latin America provinces (discussion + vote)
Item III � Emergency Disaster fund - deletion (discussion + vote)
Item IV � Resignation of aedilis and governor Germaniae T. Flavius Aquila (information)
Item V � Aedilis curulis - appointment � senatus consultum ultimum (discussion + vote)
Item VI � Coming comitia centuriata � Religious paragraph (ex. �Blasphemy clause�) (information and advice)
Item VII � Coming comitia centuriata � Tribunician entry in office (information and advice)
Item VIII � Coming comitia centuriata � Adaptation of the number of our public officers to our citizenry - Modification of the number of minor magistrates (information and advice)
Item IX � Writing of by-laws for NR Inc. non profit making corporation (information)
Item X � The anger of the gods � divine negative signs reported by PM Moravius � grounds - possible measures (discussion)
Item XI � Context of the budget proposal (information)
Item XII � Schedule Budget-Taxes-Census (information)
Item XIII� Budget main lines (discussion + vote)
Item XIV� Budget 2763/2010 (discussion + vote)



Art. 7 : The items mentioned in the article 6 may be completed in the following days by additional items or, for further information, by attached documents, available from next March 21st on, for an easier reading, in the Senatus Romanus files section at (copy-paste this link if any problem):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SenatusRomanus/files/2763%20auc%20%282010%29%20March%20session/


Thanks for your attention, Senators. Have all a good session and valete omnes.




P. Memmius Albucius cos.
_________________________________________________________________
Consultez vos emails Orange, Gmail, Yahoo!, Free ... directement depuis HOTMAIL !
http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/agregation/

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

Livia Petronio sal.

LLP2: Finally I have some time to review past mail. This topic was too
interesting to let it drop.

Petronius: Life exspectancy was short. Some said that important saturnism at
this time was lead piping disease.

LLP2: Life expectancy in the Roman empire was longer than it has ever been
after until the industrial revolution. Some new research has disproved the
saturnism theory. The truth is that the advantages provided by having
sanitation and running water by far overcame the effects of slight lead
poisoning.

> If I was a rich enough free woman I would feel totally comfortable in
> ancient Rome and I don't think my life expectation would be shortened very
> much.

Petronius: Many women, and the riche too, was dying in childbirth. The life
exspectancy was terribly short. Obviously, you had exceptions, but all rules
have exceptions.

I read the interesting book of Ronald Syme The Roman Revolution. You can
follow the die out of almost all the Republican families in one century. Not
only by civil wars, or caesarian proscriptions, but mostly by natural
exstinction.

LLP2: Women died in childbirth for many centuries later too, until very
recently.

> But even being a household slave would be better than living any time
> between the Middle Ages and the unity of Italy.

Petronius: It is a point of view. Mine is, better free life without running
water than being slave even in a palace with golden faucets. The top, of
course, is being free with running water. ;o)

LLP2: Petroni mi, women were practically slaves until the women's
liberation movements in the modern era. The Roman Empire was a period of
unequalled freedom for free women, never to be repeated for many centuries.
And then, since the raise of monotheisms, for several centuries people have
been free in body only, but not in mind. Without freedom of thought, legal
freedom wouldn't have much value for me.

> All the subsequent centuries were the reign of uncomfortable clothes for
> women and no hygiene.

Petronius. How uncomfortable clothes? In Medieval fashion women do not seem
less comfortable dressed than Roman women. And finally in West, the
barbarian clothings outdo Roman ones in comfort. I think indeed very
dangerous to take a metro train dressed in toge. ;o)

LLP2: Women were much more unconfortably dressed in the Middle Ages. That
was when clothes became tight and body-fitting. No more running around in
the palaestra in bikinis either. And you'd have to wash your clothes
yourself, rather than bringing them to the fullonica. I suspect in the
Middle Ages this meant very little washing.

In fact, even for the insula dweller, the Roman Empire was the most
comfortable period in all pre-industrial history.
If you lived in an insula you would take advantage of the very developed
service sector. Since there were no cooking facilities people just went down
to the popina for meals. They went to the public toilets for their needs,
and to the thermae for bathing and lots of recreational activities.
I'ts true that one had to walk to the ground floor and up to 40 metres away
to get water, but since no water was needed for cooking and washing, only a
few buckets would suffice for cleaning the apartment and washing up the
chamber-pots used at night.
All in all, a very pleasant life, even if you didn't have any slaves, which
was apparently a very rare condition, and even if you were a household slave
you'd have less to do than some servants today.


Optime vale,
Livia



Optime vale.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
A. d. VII Idus Martias P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

Cato Memmio Albucio consule omnibusque in foro SPD

I hereby offer my candidacy for the office of aedilis curulis.

Vale et valete,

Cato

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "publiusalbucius" <albucius_aoe@...> wrote:
>
> Quiritibus s.d.
>
> As you all know, our aedilis curulis maior and friend T. Flavius Aquila has considered that he could not carry on his duties for the Republic nor staying among us.
>
> Though Aquila's resignation is a real loss for our community, the life of Rome goes on, and we need filling in the office of aedilis curulis, beside aedilis cur. Constantinus.
>
> Every interested citizen fulfilling the legal requirements shall present her/his candidacy writing to me at my private address, before next March 20th.
>
> Thanks for your attention, Quirites, et valete omnes.
>
>
> P. Memmius Albucius
> consul
>

M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus cultoribus Deorum, Quiritibus et omnibus salutem plurimam dicit: Minerva sapientiam in nos infundat.

Hodie est ante diem XIIII Kalendas Apriles; haec dies nefastus piaculum est: Quinquatrus, Feriae Marti: Minervalia, dies artificum.

"The Salii were named from salitare, because they had the custom and the duty of dancing yearly in the Comitium in their ceremonies." ~ Varro, Lingua Latinae 5.85

Quinquatrus, the fifth day after the Ides of March (counted inclusively), saw the Salii joined by the tribuni celerum for a
ritual purification of the ancilae and a sacrifice offered to Mars, performed in the Comitium, followed by a feast. The Celeres were
originally three hundred cavalrymen, one hundred drawn from each of the original three tribes established by Romulus. They formed the personal armed bodyguard of Romulus. According to Livy, the Celeres guarded him even in peacetime for although Romulus was much beloved by the common people and by the soldiers, he was not so loved by members of the Senate (Livy 1.15.8). Under the Republic the Celeres became the 300 Equites Equo Publico. All of these Equites were either Senators or the sons of Senators, representing the elite of Roman society. It was not until 129 BCE that passage of a plebiscitum equorum reddendorum ordered all senatores to give up their public horses, effectively increasing the number of Equites Equo Publico as Censor M. Porcius Cato had first proposed in 184. By the mid-Republic these three officers of the Celeres had only a ceremonial role, but what rituals they might have performed, other than this one along with the Salii, isn't known. It would seem that the Salii danced around the ancilae, or perhaps danced with the ancilae around the arms of the Celeres, as in the Armilustrium of 19 October.


Mineralia

"The first day is bloodless, and sword fights are unlawful, because Minerva was born on that very day. The next four are celebrated with gladiatorial shows, the warlike Goddess delights in naked swords." ~ Ovidius Naso, Fasti 3.811-814

Two temples of Minerva were dedicated on this day. On the Caelian, the Minervium was a small shrine for Minerva Capta. Here stood a statue of Minerva that was captured from the city of Falerii in 241 BCE, and thus Her name. The other temple, located on the Aventine Hill, was possibly dedicated for Minerva Medica, circa 105 BCE. A five day festival for Minerva began on 19 March.

As the Goddess of crafts, this festival was celebrated as the diesartificum by shoemakers, spinners and weavers, tanners and dyers,
physicians, teachers, painters, sculptors, musicians and artists of all kinds.

"Proud, warlike Goddess, great honor and wisdom of Your Father, powerful in war are You, on whom the grim helmet is borne with its frightful decoration, speckled with the Gorgon's blood that glows more violent with increasing rage, never has Mavors or Bellona with Her battle spear inspired more ardent calls to arms on the war trumpets than You. May You with Your nod accept this sacrificial offering. Whether You come from Mount Pandion to our rites by night, or from dancing happily in Ainian Itone, or from washing once more Your hair in the waters of Libyan Triton, or whether the winged axle of your war chariot, with its paired pure-bred horses carries you astride its beam, shouting aloud, now, to You, we dedicate the shattered spoils of virile men and their battered armour. Should I return to my Parthaonian fields, and upon being sighted Martian Pleuron should throw open wide her gates for me, then amid her hills, at the center of the city, I shall dedicate to you a golden temple where it may be your pleasure to look upon Ionian storms, and where Achelous tosses about his flaxen hair to disturb the sea where it leaves behind the breakers of Echinades. In here will I display accounts of ancestral wars and the death-masks of great hearted kings, and affix the arms of the proud in the rotunda that I have returned with myself, taken at the cost of my own blood, and those, Tritonia, that you will grant when Thebes is captured. There a hundred Calydonian virgins will serve in devotions at your altar, shall duly twine the Actaean torches, and weave from Your chaste olive tree purple sacrificial fillets with snow white strands of wool. At nightly vigils an aged priestess will tend your altar's fire, and never will she neglect to safeguard your modesty, attending in secret to the rites of your boudoir. To you in war, to you in peace, the first fruits of our labors shall be borne, without offence to Diana." ~ P. Papinius Statius, Thebaid 2.715-42


Our thought for today comes from Epicurus, Vatican Saying 79:

"He who is calm disturbs neither himself nor another."

M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus Quiritibus et omnibus salutem plurimam dicit: Deus salvere vos iubet.

Hodie est ante diem XIII Kalendas Apriles; haec dies comitialis est: Sexatrus; Aequinoctium vernum, tempestatem significat.

The sixth day (Sexatrus) after the Ides of March, on which the Minervalia continues with the introduction of gladiatorial contests.
The Vernal Equinox occurrs today, around 13:32 hours ESTor about 19.32 at Rome, making today the first day of Spring! This is the time when the sun, travelling along the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator on its journey seemingly north. Here, where I live, near the fourty-first parallel, the air is still cool, although the sun is warm by day, the soil is cold and wet, rains beginning with still some snow occassionally. For such cooler climes Cato recommended ploughing be held off until after the vernal equinox. (I have my first plantings in the soil already.) Pliny gives an anectdote for this with a story about the Treviri of Gaul.

AUC 830 / 77 CE: "The crops having been nipped by the extreme severity of the winter, the people sowed the land over again in the month of March, and had a most abundant harvest." ~ C. Plinius 18.49 (19)

Pliny goes on to tell us a little more about the work done at different times, in different places, generally in accordance with observation of the stars. He notes for instance that the last day of Minervalia occurs with the setting of Pegasus in the morning twelve days before the Kalends of April. Actually Pegasus is rising just before dawn about now. Neverthe less the cycles for plowing and sowing, no matter where in the Empire, was based upon star risings and settings. This is attested by Pliny and by his sources, such as Cato (De Agri Cultura) and Vergil (Georgic I), by Varro (De Rustica) and later with Collumella. In northern climes, Pliny tells how adjustments are made as to which crops might be sown earlier.

"There are some, however, who begin very early, and have a saying to justify their doing so, to the effect that if seed sown too early often disappoints, seed put in too late always does so. On the other hand, again, there are some who maintain that it is better to sow in spring than in a bad autumn; and they say that if they find themselves obliged to sow in spring, they would choose the period that intervenes between the prevalence of the west winds and the vernal equinox. Some persons, however, take no notice of the celestial phenomena, and only regulate their movements by the months. In spring they put in flax, the oat, and the poppy, up to the feast of the Quinquatria,7 as we find done at the present day by the people of Italy beyond the Padus." ~ C. Plinius 18.56

For Italy itself, Pliny lays out the work to be done from the vernal equinox to the morning rising of the Vergiliae (Pleiades) in May. Drainage ditches are to be dug, tools prepared, and pruning completed before the vernal equinox. Plowing is done around the equinox,with this third and final ploughing intended to till manure into the soil. Then some early sowing is done in the two weeks immediately following the equinox. And final sowing is to be completed by 10 May.

"In this interval of time, during the first fifteen days, the agriculturist must make haste and do all the work for which he has not been able to find time before the vernal equinox; and he should bear in mind that those who are late in pruning their vines are exposed to jibes and taunts, in imitation of the note of the bird of passage known to us as the cuckoo. For it is looked upon as a disgrace, and one that subjects him to well-merited censure, for that bird, upon its arrival, to find him only then pruning his vines. Hence it is, too, that we find those cutting jokes, of which our peasantry are the object, at the beginning of spring. Still, however, all such jokes are to be looked upon as most abominable, from the ill omens they convey. In this way, then, we see that, in agricultural operations, the most trifling things are construed as so many hints supplied us by Nature." ~ C. Plinius 18.66

Well, most of my tilling is done; one garden is still too wet. Peas are in the soil, soon to be joined by other cold weather vegetables. But killing frosts are still due until mid May. Still some fertilizing to do, and lots of pruning yet to finish, and quite satisfying to sit in cool breezes beneath the stars at the end of the day's chores.


The Sabine Bull

"There was amongst the Sabines one man who believed that an opportunity presented itself of recovering the supremacy through his own individual cunning. The story runs that a man of substance belonging to that nation had a heifer of marvellous size and beauty. The marvel was attested in after ages by the horns which were fastened up in the vestibule of the temple of Diana. The creature was looked upon as-what it really was-a prodigy, and the soothsayers predicted that, whoever sacrificed it to Diana, the state of which he was a citizen should be the seat of empire. This prophecy had reached the ears of the official in charge of the temple of Diana. When the first day on which the sacrifice could properly be offered arrived, the Sabine drove the heifer to Rome, took it to the temple, and placed it in front of the altar. The official in charge was a Roman, and, struck by the size of the victim, which was well known by report, he recalled the prophecy and addressing the Sabine, said, "Why, pray, are you, stranger, preparing to offer a polluted sacrifice to Diana? Go and bathe yourself first in running water. The Tiber is flowing down there at the bottom of the valley." Filled with misgivings, and anxious for everything to be done properly that the prediction might be fulfilled, the stranger promptly went down to the Tiber. Meanwhile the Roman sacrificed the heifer to Diana. This was a cause of intense gratification to the king and to his people." ~ Titus Livius 1.45.6-7


AUC 695 / 58 BCE: Cicero leaves for exile, first traveling to the home of Sica near Vibo.


Today's thought is a passage from Euripides, Bellerophon, fr. 287, quoted by Marcus Aurelius, in Meditations 7.38:

"It is not right to vex ourselves at mere things, Brute facts should not provoke our rage: For they have no mind to care, and care nought about it."

Reminder from:		Nova-Roma Yahoo! Group
Title:		Reminder Ludi Apollinares
Date:		Saturday March 20, 2010
Time:		12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Repeats:		This event repeats every week until Friday July 9, 2010.
Location:		Ludi Apollinares
Notes:		Don't forget to be inspired and start your project for the Ludi honoring Apollo! http://www.novaroma.org/nr/MMDCCLXIII/Ludi_Apollinares
Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email. Edit reminder options

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Omnibus s.d.

The deadline set for the candidacies is now over.

Two citizens have wished proposing themselves as aediliis curulis. Both of them fulfill all the legal requirements. In addition, the res publica is luck enough that both be reliable and skilled cives.

Here are they, in the order of their announced candidacies:

G. Equitius Cato
L. Iulia Aquila

Both candidacies will be examined during the senate session which begins tomorrow.

Valete omnes,


Albucius

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "publiusalbucius" <albucius_aoe@...> wrote:
>
> Quiritibus s.d.
>
> As you all know, our aedilis curulis maior and friend T. Flavius Aquila has considered that he could not carry on his duties for the Republic nor staying among us.
>
> Though Aquila's resignation is a real loss for our community, the life of Rome goes on, and we need filling in the office of aedilis curulis, beside aedilis cur. Constantinus.
>
> Every interested citizen fulfilling the legal requirements shall present her/his candidacy writing to me at my private address, before next March 20th.
>
> Thanks for your attention, Quirites, et valete omnes.
>
>
> P. Memmius Albucius
> consul
>

Omnibus civibus Novae Romae salutem, sodalibus quibus animae, virtutis et fidei socius et particeps sum. Romanam claritatem, Diis iuvantibus, fortitudo nostra iucunde renovare possit.
Marcus Valerius Corvus domo Romae

britannico sermone: Hi to all citizens of Nova Roma, who soul, virtue and trust I' parteciping.
May our strengh, with help of Gods, renew the greatness of Rome and enjoy for it
M V C

L. Iulia Aquila Omnibus S.P.D.

This morning a small quiet ritual to Venus was performed with only the sounds of spring as accompaniment - remembered also and enjoined to Mater Venus, her beloved consort Mars. Although it was initially overcast the colors were brilliant, delicate shoots of different blooms poked through the damp earth, the grass shown a brilliant emerald. The water calmly flowed like fine blue-green velvet. Birds of all sorts flew about showing off their beautiful songs and exquisite plumage. The sacrifices, offerings, were well received - the auspices positive especially with the clouds parting and the sun appeared washing all in precious nourishing light as I waited in the final meditation.

Although I will not have a garden this year prayers and sacrifice were made for Nova Roma that she blossom and grow with new citizens and realized initiatives, that our citizens and magistrates be seeded with inspiration and that we will have abundant accomplishments.

Happy Spring! Happy Vernal Equinox! Habéte fortúnam bonam!

Valéte optimé in pace Deorum,

L. Iulia Aquila
Sacerdos Veneris Genetricis

Caeca Juliae Aquilae sal,

...and a most happy vernal equinox to you, also! thanks for sharing your lovely ritual with us ...such things delight the heart!

Vale bene!

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

L. Livia Plauta M. Valerio Corvo sal.
Bene venisti! Si bene video cives romanus es, et non solum novus romanus.
Spero te videre in lista latina
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma-Latina/) et in lista italica
(http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/novaromaitalia/) .
Ego itala sum, sed Budapestini habito, in provincia Pannonia.

Optime vale,
Livia

----- Original Message -----
From: <corvulus@...>
To: <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 8:24 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] novus civis


Omnibus civibus Novae Romae salutem, sodalibus quibus animae, virtutis et
fidei socius et particeps sum. Romanam claritatem, Diis iuvantibus,
fortitudo nostra iucunde renovare possit.
Marcus Valerius Corvus domo Romae

britannico sermone: Hi to all citizens of Nova Roma, who soul, virtue and
trust I' parteciping.
May our strengh, with help of Gods, renew the greatness of Rome and enjoy
for it
M V C

Iulia Caeca s.p.d.

You're very welcome and thank you!
Corda serrata pando!

Cura ut valeas amica!

Julia

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "C.Maria Caeca" <c.mariacaeca@...> wrote:
>
> Caeca Juliae Aquilae sal,
>
> ...and a most happy vernal equinox to you, also! thanks for sharing your lovely ritual with us ...such things delight the heart!
>
> Vale bene!
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Iulia Aquila Valerio Corvo S.P.D.

Welcome to Nova Roma! Glad to make your acquaintance!

Valé et habé fortúna bona; di Novae Romae favent!

Julia

--- In Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com, "L. Livia Plauta" <livia.plauta@...> wrote:
>
> L. Livia Plauta M. Valerio Corvo sal.
> Bene venisti! Si bene video cives romanus es, et non solum novus romanus.
> Spero te videre in lista latina
> (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma-Latina/) et in lista italica
> (http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/novaromaitalia/) .
> Ego itala sum, sed Budapestini habito, in provincia Pannonia.
>
> Optime vale,
> Livia
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <corvulus@>
> To: <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 8:24 PM
> Subject: [Nova-Roma] novus civis
>
>
> Omnibus civibus Novae Romae salutem, sodalibus quibus animae, virtutis et
> fidei socius et particeps sum. Romanam claritatem, Diis iuvantibus,
> fortitudo nostra iucunde renovare possit.
> Marcus Valerius Corvus domo Romae
>
> britannico sermone: Hi to all citizens of Nova Roma, who soul, virtue and
> trust I' parteciping.
> May our strengh, with help of Gods, renew the greatness of Rome and enjoy
> for it
> M V C
>

>
>
> A. Tullia Scholastica M. Valerio Corvo S.P.D.
>
> Gratissimus es nobis (Latinistis quidem)! Speramus te vitam tuam cum
> civibus Novae Romae magnopere fructurum esse! Roma uno die aedificata non
> erat, nec Nova Roma, sed simus semina gentis resurgentis, et Latinae civitatis
> condamus fundamina, sicut in hymno Provinciae dicit.
>
> Scisne nos forum Latinum et sodalitatem Latinitatis habere?
>
> Vale!
>
>
> Omnibus civibus Novae Romae salutem, sodalibus quibus animae, virtutis et
> fidei socius et particeps sum. Romanam claritatem, Diis iuvantibus, fortitudo
> nostra iucunde renovare possit.
> Marcus Valerius Corvus domo Romae
>
> britannico sermone: Hi to all citizens of Nova Roma, who soul, virtue and
> trust I' parteciping.
> May our strengh, with help of Gods, renew the greatness of Rome and enjoy for
> it
> M V C
>
>
>
>
>

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

P. Memmius Albucius cos. Quiritibus s.d.



In view of the Constitution of Nova Roma, in its paragraph I.D. and III.B. ;
Considering the auspices that I have taken at dawn, this a.d. XV Apr. 2763 auc (Th. March 18, 2010), which were favorable ;
After due consultation of my colleague Fabius Buteo,
Considering the advice of the Senate during its session of March 21st ;



Quod bonum felixque sit populo romano quiritium,
I edict the following and referimus ad vos, Quirites :



Art. 1 : The Comitia centuriata is hereby convened for a session. The decision of its centuries is requires, in the frame of this session, on the agenda presented in the relatio presented below ;



Art. 2 : The time table of the session is the following one, every hour being expressed for Rome, except in the table below:
2.1. Session
Beginning: 16:30 hour, a.d. IV Kal. Apr. (March. 29) ; end: sunset a.d. IV Id Apr. (Apr. 10)
2.2. Contio
Beginning: 17:00 hour, a.d. IV Kal. Apr. (March. 29) ; end: 15:00 hour, pr. Non. Apr. (Apr. 4)
2.3. Vote
Beginning: 16:00 hour, pr. Non. Apr. (Apr. 4) ; end: 16:00 hour, a.d. IV Id Apr. (Apr. 10)




Art. 3 : The relatio ('agenda') of the present session is the following one:

Item I � Constitution � Move and rewording of the �religious paragraph� of par. VI.A. to par. I (ex. �Blasphemy clause�)
Item II � Constitution � Date of entry in office of the Tribunes of the Plebs - Rewording of the introduction to paragraph IV.A.
Item III � Constitution � Adaptation of the number of our public officers to our citizenry - Modification of the number of quaestors - Rewording of the paragraph IV.A.6
Item IV � Lex Equitia de vigintisexviris � deletion on pr. Kal. 2764 auc of its paragraph II.B on rogators



Art. 4 : The items mentioned in the article 3 may be completed before the opening of the contio by additional items or by attached documents, available from next March 20st on, for an easier reading, in the Comitia centuriata files section, folder �CC March-April 2763 auc�, at (copy-paste this link if any problem):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NovaRomaComitiaCenturiata/files/CC%20March-April%202763%20auc/



Thanks for your attention, Quirites. Have all a good comitia and valete omnes.



P. Memmius Albucius cos.
_________________________________________________________________
Consultez vos emails Orange, Gmail, Yahoo!, Free ... directement depuis HOTMAIL !
http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/agregation/

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

C. Petronius Tulliae Scholasticae M. Valerioque s.p.d.,

> >nec Nova Roma, sed simus semina gentis resurgentis, et Latinae civitatis condamus fundamina, sicut in hymno Provinciae dicit.

Suspicor, nisi fallor, M. Valerium Corvum nescire qui hymnus Provinciae sit. Etenim Provincia est hodiernum nomen quo Francogalli utuntur ut antiquam provinciam Narbonensem designent. Qua in provincia, Provincia nuncupata, aliqui incolae regionali lingua loqui et canere voluerunt, poeta Mistral duce. Hymni enim verba Latina in methodo Assimil a Clemente Desessart scripta insunt, paginis 450-452.

Praesertim nunc hymnus Provinciae, qui Calix Sanctus intitulatur, in stadiis ad recreandum vires ludorum (qui "rugbymen" vulgo dicuntur) canitur et nonnumquam in regionalibus concitationibus.

Optime valete.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
A. d. XII Kalendas Apriles P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 8:40 PM, luciaiuliaaquila
<dis_pensible@...>wrote:

> L. Iulia Aquila Omnibus S.P.D.
>
> This morning a small quiet ritual to Venus was performed with only the
> sounds of spring as accompaniment - remembered also and enjoined to Mater
> Venus, her beloved consort Mars.
>
> Thank you for sharing this - it sounds beautiful.

Flavia Lucilla Merula


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

Salvete,

How can I find the list of the annual 2009 taxes? I searched through the civic life pages, I found nothing, so I searched through the Provinces pages, I found nothing... this wiki NR web site is so mysterious that a mother hen could not find her chicks. Does we have the handbook of Sherlock Holmes to find any main and daily informations?

We have links on the main page to many trivial matters but nothing about the first things which a new citizen has to know. Even if I click on the link "civic life" I found nothing about the amounts of the last yearly taxes neither on the link "provinces"... who can help Theseus in this labyrinth?

Optime valete.

--
C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
a.d. XII Kalendas Apriles. P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.


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

SALVE DEXTER!
 
Our wiki is complex indeed. However is not so difficult to search through it. On the wiki main page is the search box. Using there the proper words one can find the needed results. The entire problem consists in using the proper word/words in order to find the result. In fact is the same as searching on Google.
In your case the words are tax and rate, therefore, typing in the search box these words, “tax rate", you will be directed to the page displaying all tax rates.
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Special:Search?search=tax+rate
There choose what you need. 
That is in my opinion the easier way. Another possibility is to go on the category page of any year. Like this:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Category:MMDCCLXII
At "T" you will find it.
 
For anyone, the tax rate for 2009 is here:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Tax_rate_MMDCCLXII%c2%a0

 
VALE,
T. Iulius Sabinus





"Every individual is the architect of his own fortune" - Appius Claudius

--- On Sun, 3/21/10, Gaius Petronius Dexter <jfarnoud94@...> wrote:


From: Gaius Petronius Dexter <jfarnoud94@...>
Subject: [Nova-Roma] How can I find what I search?
To: "Nova Roma" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 11:34 AM


 



Salvete,

How can I find the list of the annual 2009 taxes? I searched through the civic life pages, I found nothing, so I searched through the Provinces pages, I found nothing... this wiki NR web site is so mysterious that a mother hen could not find her chicks. Does we have the handbook of Sherlock Holmes to find any main and daily informations?

We have links on the main page to many trivial matters but nothing about the first things which a new citizen has to know. Even if I click on the link "civic life" I found nothing about the amounts of the last yearly taxes neither on the link "provinces". .. who can help Theseus in this labyrinth?

Optime valete.

--
C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
a.d. XII Kalendas Apriles. P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

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











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

M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus Quiritibus et omnibus salutem plurimam dicit: Invenietis omnia prospera evenisse sequentibus Deos, adversa spernentibus

Hodie est ante diem XII Kalendas Apriles; haec dies comitialis est: Septimatrus; Equus occidit mane, septentrionales venti.

Today is the seventh day (Septimatrus) after the Ides of March, on which the Minervalia continues with gladiatorial contests.

AUC 710 / 43 BCE: Birth of Publius Ovidius Naso.

Born to an equestrian family in Sulmona, Ovid was intended to practice law. He held some minor public offices before pursuing poetry as his occupation. M. Valerius Messalia Corvinus became Ovid's patron. During the war between Octavius and Marcus Antonius, it was Valerius Corvinus who replaced Antonius as consul in 31 BCE. As consul, he was one of the generals for Octavius at the Battle of Actium that year. A female relative of Valerius Corvinus, possibly his sister, was married to another consul, Q. Pedius Publicola, who was a cousin of Octavius. It was through Valerius that Ovid was thus introduced to the imperial court and to the circle of Julia the Younger. He had attained his fame as a poet with the publication of the Amores in 20 BCE. This was followed by his Ars Amatoria, the poem that Ovid later identified as the one that officially led to his exile.

In 8 CE Ovid completed the Heroides and perhaps his most important poem, the Metamorphoses. This work is the oldest collection, and in many cases it is the only source, of Greek myths. By that time, at the age of fifty-one, he had been twice divorced, the last marriage ending more than twenty years earlier. He had one daughter, who would have been around the same age as Julia the Younger. Ovid was certainly aware of Julia's adulterous affairs. He may have known, too, about a conspiracy against Augustus that involved Julia, her husband and her lover. Ovid's crime was not reporting what he may have known. Julia and Agrippa Postumus, the grandchildren of Augustus, were sent into exile. Her husband, L. Aemilius Paullus, and her lover, Decimus Silanus, were executed. Augustus sent Ovid into exile at the farthest end of the Empire, on the Black Sea coast at Tomis. Two-thousand years later a group of us – Sabinus and Carina, Lentulus and Popillia, Livia Plauta and I, gathered beneath the statue of Ovid in Tomis and remembered his journey to that place.


Approaching the Gods

"The best and also the most chaste, holiest and most pious way of worshipping the Gods is ever to venerate Them with purity, sincerity, and innocence both in thought and of speech." ~ M. Tullius Cicero, De Natura Deorum 2.71)

Towards the end of the Republic, and during the principate, there began a change in how members of the elite perceived worship. It
probably came as a reaction to excesses in sacrifices, the number of victims ever increasing, the displays put on for the Gods ever more vulgar and lewd, and the cost ever more extravagant as huge amounts of spices were offered up. While the State cultus Deorum were given over more to pomp and showmanship, members of the elite posed that the only acceptable offerings to present to the Gods are "holiness of mind and purity of heart (Persius, Satires 2.73-74)."

"The Gods rejoice more in the innocence of worshippers than in elaborate prayers; the man who enters Their temples with a pure heart
is more agreeable to the Gods than anyone who recites a carefully prepared litany." ~ C. Caecilius Plinius Secundus minor, Panegyric 3

Ancient religions were preoccupied with ritual purity. One must be ritually pure in order to partake in rituals that bind the community with the Gods. Equating ritual purity with a purification of the soul, based on morality, was not a new concept. The negative confession in the Egyptian Book of Coming Forth by Day (125) is an early example, as are texts from Mesoptomania and those of Jewish traditions. Violation of the codes of morality were seen as a form of rebellion against the law of the Gods. In Greece early rationalist philosophers like Heraclitus criticised the use of traditional purification rituals alone, without sincerity, and without moral rectitude. Greek dramatists explored such ideas on moral wrongs as offenses against the Gods in plays on Orestes, Agamemnon, and Oedipus. Earlier, Homer had expressed the idea in the Illiad (1.8-52) where the Greeks are plagued by Apollo for an offense committed by Agamemnon against the daughter of Apollo's sacerdos, just as Thebes fell under a plague because of Oedipus' act of incest. In the fifth and fourth century Orphics and Pythagoreans introduce the idea of moral societies, with penance for moral wrongs as a means of remaining within their communities. Plato, likewise, criticised travelling purifiers who performed incantations and rituals in a mechanical way, and without sincerity (Republic 364b ff; Laws 9.831-873). In the dialogues that discuss the soul, Plato lays out the idea of a morally pure soul (katharon), deviod of the imperfections of "loves, desires, fears and fantasies," as the means of communing, or attaining to a place with the Gods (Phaedo 66b-67b; 80d-81d; etc.).

At Rome the wrath of the Gods might be attributed to neglect of due rites and religious ceremonies, as some explained the disaster at Trasimene in the late third century (Livy 22.9). In the following century the Monosticha of Cato is an early example of Roman ethics, a father instructing his sons on what is proper for them to do in society, without any real reference to a moral code handed down from the Gods. For most Romans at the time ritual impurity resulted from violating taboos. Ritual purity could be restored by performing purification rituals, cleansings, and propitiating the Gods. By the Late Republic, though, following the excesses of the Sullan dictatorship and a re-introduction of moral thought among the elite from Greek influence, there develops a form of nostalgia for a purer form of the religio Romana. This older, purer form of the religio Romana, one that is more concerned with moral good of an individual than with the sacra publica as the primary means of binding a community with the Gods is identified with Rex Numa. Rome prospers with the aid of the Gods only when the Gods are pleased with Rome. They were pleased when Rome selected a moral and holy man like Numa to become Rex, and the Gods were pleased with Rome when Numa moved the Romans to concern themselves with holy matters and with divine law, including moral law. Some of the early laws attributed to Numa, for example, concerned disobedience to one's parents and swindling people out of their rightful property. As with the Greeks on Agamemnon and Oedipus, the anger of the Gods against one man, usually the king, could be directed on the entire city-state. This idea was reinforced at Rome with the Principate where Augustus, seen as a moral ruler who restored the cultus Deorum, ruled long and properously. The Empire came to be identified with the emperor, and thus it would suffer for the moral infractions of an emperor, as occurred with Nero.

Such ideas are found later in a description of the affliction of Caracalla. The emperor was tormented with ills, and the judgment was that he suffered divine retribution for his cruelty and mean character. No amount of worship could remove the stain of his past deeds, and the Gods were thought to have visited his afflictions on him as punishment.

"But to Antoninus (Caracalla) not even one of the Gods gave any response that conduced to healing either his body or his mind,
although he paid homage to all the more prominent ones. This showed most clearly that They regarded not his votive offerings or his
sacrifices, but only his purposes and his deeds. He received no help from Apollo Grannus, nor yet from Aesculapius or Serapis, in spite of his many supplications and his unwearying persistence. For even while abroad he sent to Them prayers, sacrifices and votive offerings, and many couriers ran hither and thither every day carrying something of this kind; and he also went to them himself, hoping to prevail by appearing in person, and did all that devotees are wont to do; but he obtained nothing that contributed to health." ~ Dio Cassius, Roman History, book 78, section 15

Ritual purity is a special need. It comes with purification rituals, propitiating sacrifices, and restitutions to those wronged. But before all else comes purity of the soul who approaches the Gods with sincerity and reverence.

"May they approach the Gods and Goddesses while pure and chaste, bringing piety, and leaving riches behind. Whosoever should do
otherwise, will be avenged upon by the Gods Themselves." ~ M. Tullius Cicero, De Legibus VIII (19)


Our thought for today is a Pythagorean sententium from Iamblichus, Protreptics 11:

"We shall venerate Divinity in a proper manner if we render the intellect that is in us pure from all vice."

Ave Sabine,

> In your case the words are tax and rate,

I did not know. I typed "taxes" but I found nothing except "taxes on Egyptian temples". ;o)

> For anyone, the tax rate for 2009 is here:
> http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Tax_rate_MMDCCLXII

Thank you very much.

Optime vale.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
A. d. XII Kalendas Apriles P. Memmio K. Fabio II coss.

Salvete,

Im thinking about decorating my apartment with some Roman-style sculptures, and I came across a website that is listed below. Has purchased any sculptures from there or from other websites? While some of the objects look a bit cheesy, others look decent.

http://www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/ancientgreek.html

Valete,
D. Claudius Aquilius

C. Maria Caeca D. Claudio Acquilio sal,

Unfortunately, I don't have her link handy, but our own L. Julia Aquila has lovely statues for sale, and I'm sure, or one of her satisfied customers, can provide you with the link to her site. I haven't seen the site you mention, but I shall take a look, on the theory that more choices are always good.

Vale bene!

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

Salvete omnes

I need to let you know that I may be absent from the site in the next
few days.

My Mother, who celebrates her 97th birthday today, has been rushed into
hospital with a number of problems and is in acute medical unit.

I may or may not be around to respond to messages,

Valete optime
Crispus