Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem III Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"Although the memory of every traditional custom relating to either
human or divine things has been lost through our abandonment of the
old religion of our fathers in favour of foreign novelties, I thought
it not alien from my subject to record these regulations in the very
words in which they have been handed down. In some authors I find it
stated that it was only after the battle was over that the Samnites
who had been waiting to see the result came to support the Romans.
Assistance was also coming to the Latins from Lanuvium whilst time was
being wasted in deliberation, but whilst they were starting and a part
of their column was already on the march, news came of the defeat of
the Latins. They faced about and re-entered their city, and it is
stated that Milionius, their praetor, remarked that for that very
short march they would have to pay a heavy price to Rome. Those of the
Latins who survived the battle retreated by many different routes, and
gradually assembled in the city of Vescia. Here the leaders met to
discuss the situation, and Numisius assured them that both armies had
really experienced the same fortune and an equal amount of bloodshed;
the Romans enjoyed no more than the name of victory, in every other
respect they were as good as defeated. The headquarters of both
consuls were polluted with blood; the one had murdered his son, the
other had devoted himself to death; their whole army was massacred,
their hastati and principes killed; the companies both in front of and
behind the standards had suffered enormous losses; the triarii in the
end saved the situation. The Latin troops, it was true, were equally
cut up, but Latium and the Volsci could supply reinforcements more
quickly than Rome. If, therefore, they approved, he would at once call
out the fighting men from the Latin and Volscian peoples and march
back with an army to Capua, and would take the Romans unawares; a
battle was the last thing they were expecting. He despatched
misleading letters throughout Latium and the Volscian country, those
who had not been engaged in the battle being the more ready to believe
what he said, and a hastily levied body of militia, drawn from all
quarters, was got together. This army was met by the consul at
Trifanum, a place between Sinuessa and Menturnae. Without waiting even
to choose the sites for their camps, the two armies piled their
baggage, fought and finished the war, for the Latins were so utterly
worsted that when the consul with his victorious army was preparing to
ravage their territory, they made a complete surrender and the
Campanians followed their example. Latium and Capua were deprived of
their territory. The Latin territory, including that of Privernum,
together with the Falernian, which had belonged to the Campanians as
far as the Volturnus, was distributed amongst the Roman plebs. They
received two jugera a head in the Latin territory, their allotment
being made up by three-quarters of a jugerum in the Privernate
district; in the Falernian district they received three entire jugera,
the additional quarter being allowed owing to the distance. The
Laurentes, amongst the Latins and the aristocracy of the Campanians,
were not thus penalised because they had not revolted. An order was
made for the treaty with the Laurentes to be renewed, and it has since
been renewed annually on the tenth day after the Latin Festival. The
Roman franchise was conferred on the aristocracy of Campania, and a
brazen tablet recording the fact was fastened up in Rome in the temple
of Castor, and the people of Campania were ordered to pay them
each-they numbered 1600 in all-the sum of 450 denarii annually." -
Livy, History of Rome 8.11


Today is the third day of the Isia, in honor of the Goddess Isis.


PERSON OF THE DAY - TERMINUS

The Roman deity protecting the boundaries between the fields.
Actually, the stone that marked the border was thought to be a sacred
object with divine powers. Each year, on February 23, the feast of the
Terminalia was held. At this ceremony people poured sacrificial blood
over the stone and placed wreaths of flowers to renew the powers of
the stone. Later, people began to regard the stone as a god.

The god Iuppiter, who also protected the borders as Iuppiter Terminus
or Terminalus, was closely connected with Terminus. Legend has it that
Terminus was the only god who did not give way to Iuppiter when he
moved into his temple on the Capitol. In this temple, a boundary stone
was worshipped as the stone of Terminus. It was also believed that a
curse was placed on anyone who would remove a boundary stone.


Valete bene!

Cato

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem IV Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"When Manlius heard the fate of his colleague, he honoured his
glorious death with tears no less than with the due meed of praise.
Meantime the battle proceeded, and in some quarters the weight of
numbers was giving the advantage to the Latins. For some time Manlius
was in doubt whether the moment had not come for calling up the
triarii, but judging it better for them to be kept fresh till the
final crisis of the battle, he gave orders for the accensi at the
extreme rear to advance to the front. When they came up, the Latins,
taking them for the opposing triarii, instantly called up their own.
In the desperate struggle they had tired themselves out and broken or
blunted their spears, but as they were still driving the enemy back by
main force, they imagined that the battle was decided and that they
had reached their last line. Then it was that the consul said to his
triarii: "Rise up now, fresh and vigorous against a wearied foe; think
of your country and your parents and wives and children; think of your
consul lying there dead that ye might win the victory!" They rose up
fresh and resplendent in their armour, as though a new army had
suddenly sprung up, and after letting the antepilani retire through
them they raised their battle-shout. The front ranks of the Latins
were thrown into disorder, the Romans thrust their spears into their
faces, and in this way killed the main support of their army. They
went on without being touched through the remaining companies as
though through a crowd of unarmed men, and they marked their advance
with such a slaughter that they left hardly a fourth part of the
enemy. The Samnites, too, who were drawn up close to the lowest spurs
of the mountain, were threatening the Latins on their flank, and so
adding to their demoralisation.

The chief credit for that successful battle was given by all, Romans
and allies alike, to the two consuls-one of whom had diverted on to
himself alone all the dangers that threatened from the gods supernal
and the gods infernal, whilst the other had shown such consummate
generalship in the battle itself that the Roman and Latin historians
who have left an account of it, are quite agreed that whichever side
had had T. Manlius as their commander must have won the victory. After
their flight the Latins took refuge in Menturnae. Their camp was
captured after the battle, and many were killed there, mostly
Campanians. The body of Decius was not found that day, as night
overtook those who were searching for it, the next day it was
discovered, buried beneath a heap of javelins and with an immense
number of the enemy lying round it. His obsequies were conducted by
his colleague in a manner befitting that glorious death. I ought to
add here that a consul or Dictator or praetor, when he devotes the
legions of the enemy, need not necessarily devote himself but may
select any one he chooses out of a legion that has been regularly
enrolled. If the man who has been so devoted is killed, all is
considered to have been duly performed. If he is not killed, an image
of the man, seven feet high at least, must be buried in the earth, and
a victim slain as an expiatory sacrifice; on the spot, where such an
image has been buried, no Roman magistrate must ever set his foot. If,
as in the case of Decius, the commander devotes himself but survives
the battle, he can no longer discharge any religious function, either
on his own account or on behalf of the State. He has the right to
devote his arms, either by offering a sacrifice or otherwise, to
Vulcan or to any other deity. The spear on which the consul stands,
when repeating the formula of devotion, must not pass into the enemy's
hands; should this happen a suovetaurilia must be offered as a
propitiation to Mars." - Livy, History of Rome 8.10


Today is the second day of the festival of Isis, the Isia. The second
day is called the Zetesis and Heuresis. Professional singers,
musicians, and dancers, mostly female, performed at the temples during
the Isia.


Today was the Iroquois Feast of The Dead. The tribe called themselves
the "Haudenosaunee" meaning "people of the long house." The origin of
their common name ("Iroquois") is a mystery, although two schools of
thought predominate: either the Algonquin word "Iroqu" (Irinakhoiw),
which means "rattlesnake," was combined by the French with the suffix
"ois" to form the name "Iroquois" as an insult, meaning "Black Snakes"
or as stated by Bruce E. Johansen in his masterful study "Forgotten
Founders":

"Another matter that surprised many contemporary observers was the
Iroquois' sophisticated use of oratory. Their excellence with the
spoken word, among other attributes, often caused Colden and others to
compare the Iroquois to the Romans and Greeks. The French use of the
term Iroquois to describe the confederacy was itself related to this
oral tradition; it came from the practice of ending their orations
with the two words hiro and kone. The first meant "I say" or "I have
said" and the second was an exclamation of joy or sorrow according to
the circumstances of the speech. The two words, joined and made
subject to French pronunciation, became Iroquois. The English were
often exposed to the Iroquois' oratorical skills at eighteenth-century
treaty councils." - Bruce E. Johansen, "Forgotten Founders", Chapter 3
"Our Indians have Outdone The Romans", p. 41

Their home was the upstate New York area from Niagara Falls to the
Adirondacks but the "Iroquois League of Nations" once ruled an empire
that extended from the Chesapeake to the junction of the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers. The League's decision to side with the British
during the Revolutionary War was disastrous. Subsequent treaties
surrendered most of their land to white settlers, and their people
retreated to their northern lands across the border to Canada.

Valete bene!

Cato

C. Petronius Dexter Pontifex Maximus omnibus Quiritibus salutem dicit
plurimam,



Today morning, capite velato,

I invoked Iuno Covella by saying the traditional formula:



"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"

"Die Septimi te kalo Iuno Covella"



I offered incense and saying prayers I asked the Goddess to be favorable
toward

us, the Quirites of Nova Roma.



The festivals to be celebrated in the month of October shall be:



OCTOBER



1 B Kal. Oct. N

2 C a.d. VI Non. Oct. F Ater,
Nundina

3 D a.d. V Non. Oct. C

4 E a.d. IV Non. Oct. C

5 F a.d. III Non. Oct. C
Religiosus

6 G Pr Non. Oct. C

7 H Non. Oct. F

8 A a.d. VIII Id. Oct, F
Ater.

9 B a.d. VII Id. Oct, C

10 C a.d. VI Id. Oct, C
Nundina

11 D a.d. V Id. Oct, NP
Meditrinalia

12 E a.d. IV Id. Oct, C

13 F a.d. III Id. Oct, NP
Fontinalia

14 G Pr Id. Oct, EN

15 H Id. Oct. NP
Feriae Iovi, Equus October

16 A a.d. XVII Kal. Nov. F Ater.

17 B a.d. XVI Kal. Nov. C
Religiosus

18 C a.d. XV Kal. Nov. C
Religiosus, Nundina

19 D a.d. XIV Kal. Nov. NP
Armilustrium

20 E a.d. XIII Kal. Nov. C

21 F a.d. XII Kal. Nov. C

22 G a.d. XI Kal. Nov. C

23 H a.d. X Kal. Nov. C

24 A a.d. IX Kal. Nov. C

25 B a.d. VIII Kal. Nov. C

26 C a.d. VII Kal. Nov. C Nundina

27 D a.d. VI Kal. Nov. C

28 E a.d. V Kal. Nov. C

29 F a.d. IV Kal. Nov. C

30 G a.d. III Kal. Nov. C

31 H Pr Kal. Nov. C



At the end I poured a libation of milk thanking to the Goddess for Her

benevolence.



Optime valete.



--

C. Petronius Dexter

Arcoiali scribebat

Kalendis Octobribus MMDCCLXV aVc.



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

Reminder from:		Nova-Roma Yahoo! Group
Title:		After every Kalends, Nones, Ides, the next day is "Ater"
Date:		Tuesday October 2, 2012
Time:		12:00 am - 12:00 am
Notes:		Ater (unlucky) *Gods or Goddesses should not be invoked by name while indoors, and no celestial God or Goddess should be invoked by name while outdoors. *Sacrifices should not be made, even at the lararium. *These days are ill-omened to begin any new project since any new project would necessarily begin by performing a rite calling for the assistance of the gods. Such religious rites, beginning something new, are not to be performed. *Avoid making journeys, or doing anything risky.
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Salvete omnes,

I went with my children some weeks ago to a night in museum dedicated to
Roman period of the Archeological Museum of São Miguel de Odrinhas, you
can see the internet site here:

http://www.museuarqueologicodeodrinhas.pt/default_en.php

It was a interesting evening where the people of the museum were dressed
like ancient Romans, the bar sold hot wine with spices, from a receipt
of the time they told us. The part in the museum it self was dedicated
to the several funerary inscriptions and they led us through several of
them and used them to talked a little about the people that lived there
and some customs of the time. Not all information seemed to me to be
exactly correct but nothing plain wrong so maybe it is I who needs to
research more.

While they led us through the inscriptions they stop near some of them
and read the inscriptions both in Latin and in Portuguese naming the
person to whom the dedicatory was made besides using to explain
costumes. I felt it was also a good homage to those long lived ancestors
after some many centuries forgotten and now remembered and named once more.

My children liked it but were a lilted bored at the end since it was
almost one hour and there is so much a kid of 5 years old can year about
some long lived people and have to be quite ;)

I don't know when the museum will make that again but anyone near Lisbon
(the museum is between Sintra and Ericeira, about 40 minutes from
Lisbon) may find it a good way to spend some time.

Valete optime,
Crassus

Salve!
I have found a copy of the history of Rome at a yard sale so I bought it. I am about a quarter of the way in and I must say I am very impressed! Has anyone else read this book?

Vale bene!

Ti. Aurelius trio

Sincerely,

Jeffery Craft

Salve Trio,

Who is the author?

Vale,
Crassus

Salve!
Forgive me for forgetting to put the author but is by Livy
Vale,

Sincerely,

Jeffery Craft

Salve,

Oh, that History of Rome! That almost doesn't need to the author to be
name since it isn't a History of Rome but the History of Rome.

I have read the first book, that ends with the last King, in Portuguese.
I have read also books II and III in English with the text taken from
the net.

Those books are one of the principal reasons to me wanting to learn
Latin and be able to read them in the original form.

Livy takes some liberties, as all authors of the time, with facts, uses
some out of time expressions (from the start call Consuls to the high
magistrates of Rome but in the beginning of the Republic they were
Praetores), is accounts of battles aren't the most accrued (I think he
never saw any), he has an agenda (to demonstrate the ancient republican
times were of higher virtues than the his present, lucky for him he even
couldn't dream how low things would go after the end of the principate)
but there aren't nothing like his books to tell us how the Romans saw
their history, their origins and their customs. Their are pure time
capsules and an excellent reading, the only downside is the fact that
many books are lost, probably for ever.

Among other things is preface for me has the same kind of
characteristics that you can found in many XVIII and XIX century history
books, that mix of rationalism on history and legends at the same time.
One must think what were for the more than 1500 years between those periods.

In short a must read books.

Vale,
Crassus

Salve,

Would that we could somehow find the lost volumes of "Ab Urbe Condita
Libri!"

Vale,
L. Aemilia Mamercus
(not to mention Fabius Pictor's works)


_____

From: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of C. Aemilius Crassus
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 9:18 AM
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] The history of Rome




Salve,

Oh, that History of Rome! That almost doesn't need to the author to be
name since it isn't a History of Rome but the History of Rome.

I have read the first book, that ends with the last King, in Portuguese.
I have read also books II and III in English with the text taken from
the net.

Those books are one of the principal reasons to me wanting to learn
Latin and be able to read them in the original form.

Livy takes some liberties, as all authors of the time, with facts, uses
some out of time expressions (from the start call Consuls to the high
magistrates of Rome but in the beginning of the Republic they were
Praetores), is accounts of battles aren't the most accrued (I think he
never saw any), he has an agenda (to demonstrate the ancient republican
times were of higher virtues than the his present, lucky for him he even
couldn't dream how low things would go after the end of the principate)
but there aren't nothing like his books to tell us how the Romans saw
their history, their origins and their customs. Their are pure time
capsules and an excellent reading, the only downside is the fact that
many books are lost, probably for ever.

Among other things is preface for me has the same kind of
characteristics that you can found in many XVIII and XIX century history
books, that mix of rationalism on history and legends at the same time.
One must think what were for the more than 1500 years between those periods.

In short a must read books.

Vale,
Crassus

Salve Mamerce,

The list of lost works is sadly too long and probably there are many we
don't even know of.

I'm usually a peaceful person but If I could I would show to those
idiots who destroyed those books for what fire can be really useful.

Vale,
Crassus

Lentulus Aemiliae, Crasso, Aurelio salutem plurimam:


What a gladness to see you here Aemilia! Yes, this is a dream all Classicists share!

And I agree with Crassus that the loss of all that many works saddens, even angers me deeply. But we can always hope that one day a book that was believed to have perished for ever gets discovered just like it happened to the letters of Cicero and to the writings of master Fronto.

Valete!



--- Mar 2/10/12, Lyn Dowling <ldowling@...
Da: Lyn Dowling <ldowling@... Oggetto: RE: [Nova-Roma] The history of Rome
A: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Data: Martedì 2 ottobre 2012, 15:27
















 









Salve,



Would that we could somehow find the lost volumes of "Ab Urbe Condita

Libri!"



Vale,

L. Aemilia Mamercus

(not to mention Fabius Pictor's works)



_____



From: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf

Of C. Aemilius Crassus

Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 9:18 AM

To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] The history of Rome



Salve,



Oh, that History of Rome! That almost doesn't need to the author to be

name since it isn't a History of Rome but the History of Rome.



I have read the first book, that ends with the last King, in Portuguese.

I have read also books II and III in English with the text taken from

the net.



Those books are one of the principal reasons to me wanting to learn

Latin and be able to read them in the original form.



Livy takes some liberties, as all authors of the time, with facts, uses

some out of time expressions (from the start call Consuls to the high

magistrates of Rome but in the beginning of the Republic they were

Praetores), is accounts of battles aren't the most accrued (I think he

never saw any), he has an agenda (to demonstrate the ancient republican

times were of higher virtues than the his present, lucky for him he even

couldn't dream how low things would go after the end of the principate)

but there aren't nothing like his books to tell us how the Romans saw

their history, their origins and their customs. Their are pure time

capsules and an excellent reading, the only downside is the fact that

many books are lost, probably for ever.



Among other things is preface for me has the same kind of

characteristics that you can found in many XVIII and XIX century history

books, that mix of rationalism on history and legends at the same time.

One must think what were for the more than 1500 years between those periods.



In short a must read books.



Vale,

Crassus

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

Salvete,

The email below, that was sent to the main list, is obviously spam or
worst. Do not open the links.

Valete,
Crassus
Scriba Praetorum

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Unfortunately, the company to which I am associated with internet,
cannot or will not get their problems squared away in less than a
week. We here at this place have been off-line for a week because of
an outside problem having nothing to do with this place. So, you have
my apologies for the inadequacies of the company to which we belong.
I had on my computer when I finally got back on the internet this
morning (since Sept. 25) many, many of your messages, and in the next
few days will be "catching up." If anyone has any very important
messages or me immediately simply preface your subject line with the
word Important. Thank You for your patience and understanding in the
matter.

Respectfully;

Jim Mathews

Salve et Salvete;

Please forgive the cross post, but time has been, is and will continue
to be limited for a little while longer.

It has been a mostly pleasant but very hectic year thus far,
especially since the middle of March, but more so in the intervening
months.

Most of my free time since early this summer has been taken up with
repairing our house to get it in salable condition and in packing all
the worldly possessions that M Annia Megas and I own.

Some of you may know that my beloved wife is a disabled veteran, been
out of work 15 years dealing with the after effects of things that
happened during her service. With some huge steps towards recovery in
herself, she started looking for wok about 1 year ago and after over
200 applications/resumes, a few dozen screening interviews, a dozen
2nd interviews and 5 offers tendered...we are in process of moving to
Saint Mary's County in southern Maryland.

My wife has just finished her 6th week at the new job. If I'm able to
pack up and join her in 2 - 3 weeks, I have a job waiting in the local
facility owned by my current employer.

Housing costs have been a BIG sticker shock.

My own energies took a big hit when I went through a delayed stress
reaction (after having not faced the event to be strong for my wife)
to a fatality in which I was involved over 25 years ago.

Sadness has also come, my father in law law half his foot to a
diabetes aggravated infection. We also lost one of our beloved cats,
Silver Kestrel the Ransacker, affectionately known as Miss Kissie, to
intestinal lymphoma. We had a scare with me, but the stress test and
high contrast x-rays showed no heart damage and no blockages.

On the flipside, we now have 1 great nephew and 2 great nieces with a
3rd on the way. I will be performing the wedding for a second one of
my nieces in November.

The new place of residence gets us about an 8 hour drive away where it
is now 19 - 21 depending upon road condition.

The common era year of 2013 will make 15 years for Nova Roma and me, I
am looking forward to a renewal.

Vale et valete - Venator

Salve amice,

It is good to hear from you again.

My wishes of success for you and your wife in the new endouvers.

Vale optime,
Crassus

Salve et salvete;

It's been awhile since I've been a regular corespondent here, lots of
turmoil in the lives here right now, but it is a blessed tempest as my
wife and I will be starting a new chapter of our lives together in
southern Maryland. Next Thursday I leave Illinois for good, save the
occasional visit back to see friends.

A new member asked about the place of artistic sorts here in Nova Roma.

So, here's something else not seen from me in awhile.

A friend sent an older news story about a pit bull who saved the 2
children under his watch from a cougar by fighting it.
Morocho was hurt badly, but he was last warrior standing, the cougar
did not survive.

A little shorter than my usual, but heartfelt nonetheless.

To Morocho - a good dog

Unselfish and unyielding he
Is in defense of those he loves
Unflinching as he takes the brunt
Of those who mean to do them harm

A dog you see, and might sneer at
Unthinking brute, who does not rise
Above the base of instinct's call
Eat, sleep, excrete and nothing more

But you'd be wrong, and be a fool
For dogs and man are much alike
In depth of love and loyalty
That they can show to those they guard

Vale et valete - Venator

SALVETE!

I was shocked to read on Facebook that Equitius Marinus' wife, Paula, passed away this morning.
My family sent him our deepest condolences for this terrible lost.
Marinus was one of my best friends here in Nova Roma. I'm really so sorry for this.

VALETE,
Sabinus

Ave et avete;

Salvete It is a shock to hear that Paula has passed away. I knew Paula from their time in Nova Roma. We had many dinners with Bill and Paula and attenda number of Roman days with them. Paula was a good and caring person and I very much enjoyed the time we spenttogether. Paula, Bill and their faimly are in my prayers. Pax Ti. Galerius Paulinus
To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
From: p.ullerius.stephanus@...
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:00:53 -0500
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Marinus' wife.


























Ave et avete;

Salve et Salvete Omnes,

Condolences to Marinus and his family during this tragic time.

Valete bene in Pace Deorum,
Aeternia

--
"De mortuis nil nisi bonum"


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

My condolences to Paula's family. May she be in heaven with Jupiter, Jesus, Venus, and Mars.
Pax Tiberius Marcius Quadra

Salvete omnes.

My thoughts and prayers are with Marinus and his family.

Requiem æternam dona ea et lux perpetua luceat ea.
Requiescat in pace.

Valete,

Cato

Salve Sabine,

Thank you for inform us of this sad news.

Please convey my deep condolences to Marinus and his family for their loss.

Vale optime,
Crassus

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem XI Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.


"The praetor, T. Aemilius, put these demands to the senate, and they
decided that the former treaty should be renewed with them. The reply
given then by the praetor was to the effect that it was no fault of
the Roman people that the friend- ship with them had not remained
unbroken, and there was no objection to its being re-established since
they themselves were weary of a war brought on them by their own
fault. As to the Sidicines there was nothing to prevent the Samnites
from being free to make either peace or war. After the treaty was
made the Roman army was at once withdrawn. The men had received a
year's pay and three months' rations, for which the consul had
stipulated, that he might allow time for an armistice until
the envoys returned. The Samnites advanced against the Sidicines with
the same troops that they had employed in the war with Rome, and they
were very hopeful of effecting an early capture of the city. Then at
last the Sidicines took steps to make a surrender of themselves to
Rome. The senate rejected it as being made too late and forced from
them by extreme necessity. They then made it to the Latins who were
already in arms on their own account. Even the Campanians did not
refuse to take part in the hostile movement, so much keener was their
sense of the injuries inflicted by the Samnites than of the kindness
shown them by Rome.

One immense army, composed of these many nationalities and under Latin
leadership, invaded the Samnite country and inflicted more disasters
by ravages than by actual fighting. Although the Latins proved
superior in the various encounters, they were not loath to retire from
the enemy's territory lest they might have to fight too often. This
allowed the Samnites time to send envoys to Rome. When they were
admitted to an audience they complained to the senate that they were
suffering more now that they were in treaty with them than they had
before, when they were enemies; they very humbly requested them to be
satisfied with having snatched from them the victory they had won over
the Campanians and the Sidicines, and not permit them, in addition, to
be conquered by these most cowardly people. If the Latins and
Campanians were really under the suzerainty of Rome they should exert
their authority to keep them off the Samnite land, if they renounced
that suzerainty they should coerce them by force. They re- ceived an
ambiguous reply, for the senate shrank from acknowledging that the
Latins no longer recognised their authority, and on the other hand
they were afraid, if they reprimanded them, that they might alienate
them altogether. The circumstances of the Campanians were quite
different; they were bound not by treaty but by the terms of
surrender, and they must keep quiet whether they would or no. There
was nothing in their treaty with the Latins which prevented them from
making war with whom they pleased." - Livy, History of Rome 8.2




On this day the natural illumination of the inner sanctum of the
Temple of Ra-Harakhte, known as Abu Simbel, occurs. The archaeological
complex of Abu Simbel comprises two massive rock temples in southern
Egypt, on the western bank of Lake Nasser, some 290km southwest of
Aswan. It is part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site,
which runs from Abu Simbel downriver as far as Philae (near Aswan).

Ramses II, in a fit of precision and despotic architectural egotism,
carefully angled his temple at Abu Simbel so that the inner sanctum
would light up twice a year: once on the anniversary of his rise to
the throne, and once on his birthday. The combination of human
endeavour and natural phenomena provides what must be one of the most
spectacular sights in the world.

Crowds pack in to the temple before sunrise and watch the shafts of
light slowly creeping through the stone. Eventually, statues of
Ramses, Ra and Amun are illuminated in the inner sanctum (the statute
of Ptah - the god of darkness - remains in the shadows). When they
have recovered their breath, spectators can join celebrations outside,
including a fair and music demonstrations. However, nothing can really
impress you immediately after witnessing such a sight.

The Abu Simbel temple was built by Ramses II (1279-1213 BC) to
demonstrate his political clout and divine backing to the ancient
Nubians. On each side of the temple, which was carved into a sandstone
cliff overlooking the Second Cataract of the Nile, sit a pair of
colossal statues of him, more than 65 feet tall. Though the statues
have been damaged in earthquakes since their construction, they remain
an awe-inspiring, tremendous sight. The temple is aligned to face the
east, and above the entrance sits a niche with a representation of
Re-Horakhty, an aspect of the sun-god.

The greater Abu Simbel temple is generally considered the grandest and
most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of
Ramesses II, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt. The facade is 33
meters high, and 38 meters broad, and guarded by four statues, each of
which is 20 meters high. They were sculptured directly from the rock
in which the temple was located before it was moved. All statues
represent Ramesses II, seated on a throne and wearing the double crown
of Upper and Lower Egypt. The statue left of the entrance was damaged
in an earthquake, leaving only the lower part of the statue still
intact. Several smaller figures are situated at the feet of the four
statues, depicting members of the pharaoh's family. They include his
mother Mut-tuy, Nefertari, and some of his sons and daughters.

Above the entrance there is a statue of a falcon-headed Ra-Harakhte,
with the pharaoh shown worshipping on both sides of him. Below the
statue there is an ancient rebus, showing the prenomen or throne name
of Ramesses: Waser-ma'at. The facade is topped by a row of 22
baboons, their arms raised in the air, supposedly worshipping the
rising sun. Another notable feature of the facade is a stele which
records the marriage of Ramesses with a daughter of king Hattusili
III, which sealed the peace between Egypt and the Hittites.
One of the eight pillars in the main hall of the temple, showing
Ramesses II as Osiris.

The inner part of the temple has the same triangular layout that most
ancient Egyptian temples follow, with rooms decreasing in size from
the entrance to the sanctuary. The first hall of the temple features
eight statues of the deified Rameses II in the shape of Osiris,
serving as pillars. The walls depicted scenes of Egyptian victories in
Libya, Syria and Nubia, including images from the Battle of Kadesh.
The second hall depicts Ramesses and Nefertari with the sacred boats
of Amun and Ra-Harakhte.

The sanctuary contains four seated statues of Ra-Harakhte, Ptah, Amun
and Ramesses. The temple was constructed in such a way that the sun
shines directly on all four statues during two days of the year,
February 22 and October 22. These dates are allegedly the king's
birthday and coronation day respectively, but there is no evidence to
support this. Due to the displacement of the temple, this event now
occurs one day later than originally.

The Smaller Abu Simbel Temple is located north of the Greater Temple.
It was carved in the rock by Rameses II and dedicated to Hathor, the
goddess of love and beauty, and also to his favorite wife, Nefertari.
The façade is adorned by six statues, four of Rameses II and two of
Nefertari; most unusually, the six are the same height, which
indicates the esteem in which Nefertari was held. The entrance leads
to a hall containing six pillars bearing the head of the goddess
Hathor. The eastern wall bears inscriptions depicting Rameses II
striking the enemy before Ra-Harakhte and Amun-Ra. Other wall scenes
show Rameses II and Nefertari offering sacrifices to the gods. Beyond
this hall, there is another wall with similar scenes and paintings. In
the farthest depths of the temple is the holy of holies, where a
statue of the goddess Hathor stands.


PERSON OF THE DAY - MARCUS CURTIUS

Marcus Curtius was a Roman hero. When one day a deep fissure suddenly
appeared on the Forum in Rome, an oracle said that it could only be
closed by the most precious thing Rome possessed. The well-being of the town
depended on it. Curtius sacrificed himself by jumping fully armed and mounted on
the finest horse into the gap, which then closed itself. The gap, called the Lacus Curtius is situated at the Forum Romanum. According to other sources, the gap was created when
lightning struck, which was then consecrated by the consul Caius Curtius in 445 B.C.

Valete bene!

Cato

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem X Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"With this reply the Samnites were dismissed, quite uncertain as to
what the Romans were going to do. But its effect was to completely
estrange the Campanians, who now feared the worst, and it made the
Latins more determined than ever, since the Romans refused any further
concessions. Under the pretext of making preparations for a Samnite
war, they held frequent meetings of their national council, and in all
the consultations of their leaders they hatched plans in secret for
war with Rome. The Campanians also took part in this movement against
their preservers. But in spite of the careful secrecy with which
everything was being conducted-for they wanted the Samnites to be
dislodged from their rear before the Romans made any movement-some who
had friends and relatives in Rome sent hints about the league which
was being formed. The consuls were ordered to resign before the expiry
of their year of office in order that the new consuls might be elected
at an earlier date in view of such a formidable war. There were
religious difficulties in the way of the elections being held by those
whose tenure of office had been curtailed, and so an interregnum
commenced. There were two interreges, M. Valerius and M. Fabius. The
latter elected T. Manlius Torquatus (for the third time) and P. Decius
Mus as consuls. It was in this year [341 B.C.], it appears, that
Alexander, King of Epirus, landed in Italy, and there is no doubt that
had he been fairly successful at first that war would have extended to
Rome. This, too, was about the time of the achievements of Alexander
the Great, the son of this man's sister, who, after proving himself
invincible in another region of the globe, was cut off, whilst a young
man, by disease. Although there could be no doubt as to the revolt of
their allies-the Latin league-still, as though they were concerned for
the Samnites and not for themselves, the Romans invited the ten chiefs
of the league to Rome to give them instructions as to what they
wanted. Latium at that time had two praetors, L. Annius of Setia and
L. Numisius of Cerceii, both belonging to the Roman colonists. Through
these men not only had Signia and Velitrae, themselves Roman colonies,
but the Volsci also been instigated to take up arms. It was decided
that they should be particularly invited by name. No one had the
slightest doubt as to the reason for this invitation. A meeting of
their council was accordingly held prior to their departure; they
informed those present that they had been asked by the senate to go to
Rome, and they requested them to decide as to what reply they should
give with reference to the matters which they had reason to suppose
would be discussed." - Livy, History of Rome 8.3


"The night now being far spent, Brutus, as he was sitting, leaned his
head towards his servant Clitus and spoke to him; he answered him not,
but fell a weeping. After that, he drew aside his armor-bearer,
Dardanus, and had some discourse with him in private. At last,
speaking to Volumnius in Greek, he reminded him of their common
studies and former discipline, and begged that he would take hold of
his sword with him, and help him to thrust it through him. Volumnius
put away his request, and several others did the like; and someone
saying, that there was no staying there, but they needs must fly,
Brutus, rising up, said, 'Yes, indeed, we must fly, but not with our
feet, but with our hands.' Then giving each of them his right hand,
with a countenance full of pleasure, he said, that he found an
infinite satisfaction in this, that none of his friends had been false
to him; that as for fortune, he was angry with that only for his
country's sake; as for himself, he thought himself much more happy
than they who had overcome, not only as he had been a little time ago,
but even now in his present condition; since he was leaving behind him
such a reputation of his virtue as none of the conquerors with all
their arms and riches should ever be able to acquire, no more than
they could hinder posterity from believing and saying, that, being
unjust and wicked men, they had destroyed the just and the good, and
usurped a power to which they had no right. After this, having
exhorted and entreated all about him to provide for their own safety,
he withdrew from them with two or three only of his peculiar friends;
Strato was one of these, with whom he had contracted an acquaintance
when they studied rhetoric together. Him he placed next to himself,
and, taking hold of the hilt of his sword and directing it with both
his hands, he fell upon it, and killed himself. But others say, that
not he himself, but Strato, at the earnest entreaty of Brutus, turning
aside his head, held the sword, upon which he violently throwing
himself, it pierced his breast, and he immediately died. This same
Strato, Messala, a friend of Brutus, being, after reconciled to
Caesar, brought to him once at his leisure, and with tears in his eyes
said, 'This, O Caesar, is the man that did the last friendly office to
my beloved Brutus.' Upon which Caesar received him kindly; and had
good use of him in his labors and his battles at Actium, being one of
the Greeks that proved their bravery in his service. It is reported of
Messala himself, that, when Caesar once gave him this commendation,
that though he was his fiercest enemy at Philippi in the cause of
Brutus, yet he had shown himself his most entire friend in the fight
of Actium, he answered, 'You have always found me, Caesar, on the best
and justest side.' Brutus's dead body was found by Antony, who
commanded the richest purple mantle that he had to be thrown over it,
and afterwards the mantle being stolen, he found the thief, and had
him put to death." - Plutarch, Parallel Lives "Marcus Brutus"

" 'This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He, only in general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man!' " - Marc Antony's elegy
for Brutus in William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"


On this day in 42 B.C., Brutus committed suicide, after losing the
battle with Octavian and Mark Antony. Brutus had betrayed and murdered
Julius Caesar, and plunged the Roman world into civil war that lasted
years and took countless lives. Cassius too died this day, stabbing
himself with the very dagger he used to murder Caesar.




"Tis true, a scorpion's oil is said
To cure the wounds the venom made.
And weapons dress'd with salves restore
And heal the hurts they gave before."
- Samuel Butler, "Hudibras" III.ii.1029

Today the Sun enters Scorpio, the 8th Sign of the Zodiac. According
to Greek mythology, it corresponds to the scorpion which was sent by
Gaia (or possibly the goddess Hera) to kill the hunter Orion, the
scorpion rising out of the ground at the goddess's command to attack.
We note that as Scorpius rises in the east, the constellation of Orion
seems to die in the west. When Orion rises again, it may be seen as
the deity's restoration. In the myth, this restoration to 'health' is
performed by Aesculapius, the god of the healing art. As Orion rises
in the east, he is 'crushed' by the constellation Ophiuchus, 'the
serpent holder'. There was no classical god named Ophiuchus (which
means 'toiling'), but the figure was thought to represent Aesculapius.

In many versions, however, Apollo sent the scorpion after Orion,
having grown jealous of Artemis's attentions to the man. Later, to
apologize for killing her friend, Apollo then helped Artemis hang
Orion's image in the night sky. However, the scorpion was also placed
up there, and every time it appears on the horizon, Orion starts to
sink into the other side of the sky, still running from the attacker.

Scorpius also appears in one version of the fable of Phaethon, a
foolish mortal who obtained permission to drive the Apollo's
sun-chariot for a day. The horses, already out of control in their sky
journey, became scared when they encountered the great celestial
scorpion with its sting raised to strike, and the inexperienced boy
lost control of the chariot, as the sun wildly went about the sky.
Finally, Iuppiter struck him down with a thunderbolt to stop the rampage.

The astrological sign Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) is associated
with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Scorpio is associated
with the classical element Water, and thus called a Water Sign (with
Cancer and Pisces). It is also one of the four Fixed signs (along with
Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius). Its polar opposite is Taurus. Each
astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat
of its power. Scorpio rules the genitals. The symbol for Scorpio is
the scorpion. The qualities of Scorpio include: a lifelong fascination
with sex, birth, and death, an extremely focused nature, penetrative
insight, a strong sense of privacy, and an ability to subtly affect
others in profound (often sexual) ways. The Chinese included these
stars in the Azure Dragon, a powerful but benevolent creature whose
rising heralded Spring. To the Egyptians (for a period), the stars of
Scorpius were seen as a serpent. In classical Greek and Roman times,
the scorpion's huge claws included the stars that we now call Libra.
To the Maori, Scorpius was seen as a magic fish-hook on which the
fisherman demi-god Maui caught a large fish that was in fact a piece
of land which then broke in two, forming the two main islands of
Aotearoa, now called New Zealand. Then the hook was removed with great
force from the islands, flying into the sky where it remains. In
another version, the fish became the North Island and the boat's
anchor became the South. The many valleys and mountains of the North
Island were caused when Maui's brothers fought over the fish.


Valete bene!

Cato

C. Petronius C. Catoni omnibusque salutem dicit,

22 October is not a. d. X Kal. Nov. but a. d. XI Kal. Nov.

Optime vale.

--
C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
a. d. X Kalendas Novembres MMDCCLXV

Cato Petronio Dextero P.M. SPD

Good grief! You're right. My head skipped a day. TODAY (23 October) is a.d. X Kal. Nov.

Vale bene!

Cato

http://www.gjgoncefuneralhome.com/obits/obituary.php?id=215551

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

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem IX Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"After various opinions had been expressed, Annius spoke as follows:
"Although it was I who put the question to you as to what answer
should be given, I still think that it is of more importance to the
interests of the State to decide what must be done rather than what
must be said. When our plans are developed it will be easy enough to
fit words to facts. If even now we are capable of submitting to
servitude under the shadowy pretext of a treaty on equal terms, what
is to prevent us from deserting the Sidicines and receiving our orders
not only from the Romans but even from the Samnites, and giving as our
reply that we are ready to lay down our arms at the beck and call of
the Romans? But if your hearts are at last touched by any yearning for
independence; if a treaty, an alliance, an equality of rights really
exists; if we are at liberty to boast of the fact that the Romans are
of the same stock as ourselves, though once we were ashamed of it; if
our army, which when united with theirs doubles their strength, and
which the consuls will not dispense with when conducting wars which
concern them alone-if, I say, that army is really an army of their
allies, then why are we not on an equal footing in all respects? Why
is not one consul elected from the Latins? Those who possess half the
strength, do they possess half the government? This is not in itself
too much honour for us, seeing that we acknowledge Rome to be the head
of Latium, but we have made it appear so by our prolonged forbearance.

"But if ever you longed for an opportunity of taking your place in the
government and of making use of your liberty, now is the time; this is
the opportunity which has been given you by your own courage and the
goodness of the gods. You tried their patience by refusing to supply
troops. Who doubts that they were intensely irritated when we broke
through a custom more than two centuries old? Still they put up with
the annoyance. We waged war with the Paelignians on our own account;
they who before did not allow us the right to defend our own frontiers
did not intervene. They heard that the Sidicines were received into
our protection, that the Campanians had revolted from them to us, that
we were preparing an army to act against the Samnites with whom they
had a treaty, they never moved out of their City. What was this
extraordinary self-restraint due to but to a consciousness of our
strength and of theirs? I have it on good authority that when the
Samnites were laying their complaints about us they received a reply
from the Roman senate, from which it was quite evident that they
themselves do not now claim that Latium is under the authority of
Rome. Make your rights effective by insisting on what they are tacitly
conceding to you. If any one is afraid of saying this, I declare my
readiness to say it not only in the ears of the Roman people and their
senate but in the audience of Jupiter himself who dwells in the
Capitol, and to tell them that if they wish us to remain in alliance
with them they must accept one consul from us and half their senate."
His speech was followed by a universal shout of approval, and he was
empowered to do and to say whatever he deemed to be in furtherance of
the interests of the State of Latium and of his own honour." - Livy,
History of Rome 8.4


"The hardest fighting fell to the Third and Seventh Legions, and the
commander Antonius at the head of a picked auxiliary force pressed the
attack in this sector. Their grim rivalry in the offensive was too
much for the Vitellians, while the missiles hurled down on the
'tortoise' glanced harmlessly off. So in the end the defenders tipped
over the great gun itself upon the enemy beneath. For the moment this
made a gap, as it crushed the men on whom it fell. But it also took
with it in its fall the merlons and the upper part of the wall, and in
the same instant an adjacent tower succumbed to a hail of stones.
Here, while the men of the Seventh pressed the attack in close
formation, those of the Third managed to break a way through the gate
with their axes and swords. According to the unanimous testimony of
our authorities, the first to penetrate the camp was Gaius Volusius, a
private of the Third Legion. He climbed up to the wall, threw down any
men still attempting resistance, and waving and yelling to attract
attention, cried out 'The camp is ours'. His comrades, now that the
Vitellians were on the run and were jumping down from the wall, surged
through to join him. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy
throughout the open space between the camp and the fortifications of
Cremona

And now for the second time their eyes fell upon a battle setting
entirely new to them: lofty town-walls, towers of masonry, gates with
iron portcullises, a garrison flourishing its weapons and Cremona's
teeming populace, which was deeply attached to the Vitellian cause -
to say nothing of the large number of visitors from the rest of Italy
who had flocked to the fair regularly held at that time of year, their
numbers a help to the defence and their wealth an allurement to the
assailants. Antonius ordered torches to be produced and applied to the
most attractive suburban houses. The idea was that the loss of their
property might induce the Cremonese to change sides. Such buildings as
stood close to the walls and over-topped them he manned with his best
troops, who dislodged the first line of the defence with joists, tiles
and firebrands.

Some of the legionaries were already forming up for the 'tortoise' and
others discharging missiles and stones, when the morale of the
Vitellians gradually began to crack. The higher the rank, the less the
will to resist the inevitable. They feared that if Cremona too were
taken by storm, there would be no further question of quarter and the
conqueror's anger would fall entirely upon the tribunes and centurions
who were worth killing rather than upon the multitude who had nothing
to lose. But the ordinary soldier stood firm, for he cared nothing for
the future and thought himself relatively safe, because unknown.
Roaming through the streets or hidden in houses, these men refused to
ask for peace even when they had ceased to wage war. The camp
commandants took down the portraits of Vitellius and the indications
of his name. Caecina, who was still in confinement, was released from
his shackles and requested to plead for the Vitellians. He stood on
his dignity and refused, but they wore down his resistance with
tearful entreaties, presenting the degrading phenomenon of many fine
soldiers invoking the aid of a single traitor. Soon after, the white
flag was displayed prominently from the walls. Antonius signalled the
cease-fire, and the Vitellians brought out the standards and eagles.
These were followed by a dejected column of disarmed men with downcast
eyes. The victors had formed up to receive them, and at first jeered
and thrust at them with their weapons. But after a while, when the
beaten men faced their insults without flinching and impassively
endured everything, their tormentors remembered that this was the army
which, not long previously, had refrained from pressing home its
victory at Bedriacum. But when Caecina, distinguished by bordered toga
and lictors, thrust aside the throng and made his way forward in his
capacity as consul, the victors were in an uproar. They taunted him
with conceit and malevolence, never attractive vices, and treachery as
well. Antonius intervened, and giving him an escort sent him off to
Vespasian." - Tacitus, The Histories III.29-31

On this day in A.D. 69, the Second Battle of Cremona was fought. The
army of Vespasian was victorius over Vitellius, and they celebrated by
sacking nearby Cremona. This innocent city suffered a four day orgy of
murder and destruction.


ROMAN REPUBLICAN TERMS - IMPERIUM

In ancient Rome imperium could be used as a term indicating a
characteristic of a person - the measure of formal power they had.
This qualification could be used in a rather loose context (for
example poets used it, not necessarily writing about state officials),
but in the Roman society it was also a more formal concept of legal
authority. A man with imperium had in principle absolute authority to
apply the law within the scope of his magistracy or promagistracy, but
could be vetoed or overruled by a magistrate or promagistrate having
imperium maius or imperium maior (a higher degree of imperium) or, as
most republican magistratures were multiple (not quite collegial: each
could act on his own), by the equal power of his colleague, e.g. the
other Consul. Some modern scholars (e.g. A.H.M. Jones) have defined it
as "the power vested by the state in a person to do what they consider
to be in the best interests of the state".

Imperium was indicated in two prominent ways. A "curule" magistrate or
promagistrate carried an ivory baton surmounted by an eagle as his
personal symbol of office (cf. field marshal's baton). Any such
magistrate was also escorted by lictors bearing the fasces
(traditional symbols of imperium and authority); when outside the
pomerium, axes were added to the fasces to indicate an "imperial"
magistrate's power to enact capital punishment outside of Rome (the
axes were removed within the pomerium). The number of lictors in
attendance upon a magistrate was an overt indication of the degree of
imperium. When in the field, a curule magistrate possessing an
imperium greater or equal to praetorian imperium wore a sash ritually
knotted on the front of his cuirass. Further any man executing
imperium within his sphere of influence was entitled to the curule chair.

* Dictator - 24 lictors outside the Pomerium and 12 inside. Starting
from the dictatorate of Lucius Cornelius Sulla the latter rule was
ignored. Because the dictator could enact capital punishment within
Rome as well as without, his lictors did not remove the axes from
their fasces within the pomerium
* Consul - 12 lictors each
* Praetor - 6 lictors, 2 lictors within the Pomerium
* Master of the Horse (magister equitum, the Dictator's deputy) - 6
lictors
* Curule Aedile (aedilis curulis) - 2 lictors. Because a plebeian
aedile (aedilis plebis) did not own imperium, he was not escorted by
lictors

As can be seen, dictatorial imperium was superior to consular,
consular to praetorian, and praetorian to aedilician; there is some
historical dispute as to whether or not praetorian imperium was
superior to "equine-magisterial" imperium. A promagistrate, or a man
executing a curule office without actually holding that office, also
owned imperium in the same degree as the actual incumbents (i.e.,
proconsular imperium being more or less equal to consular imperium,
propraetorian imperium to praetorian) and was attended by an equal
number of lictors.

Certain extraordinary commissions, such as Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus's
famous command against the pirates, were invested with imperium maius,
meaning they outranked all other owners of imperium (in Pompey's case,
even the consuls) within their sphere of command (his being "ultimate
on the seas, and within 50 miles inland"). Imperium maius later became
a hallmark of the Roman Emperor.

Another techical use of the term in Roman law was for the power to
extend the law, beyond its mere interpretation, extending imperium
from formal legislators (under the ever-republican constitution:
popular assemblies, senate, magistrates, emperor and their delegates)
to the jurisprudence of jurisconsults.


Valete bene!

Cato

Cn. Lentulus pontifex omnibus Romanis sal.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cn. Marinus Censorius and his family.

May his esteemed wife rest in heavenly peace.

Requiescat in pace!

Valete!


--- Sab 20/10/12, Cato <catoinnyc@...
Da: Cato <catoinnyc@... Oggetto: [Nova-Roma] Re: Marinus' wife.
A: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Data: Sabato 20 ottobre 2012, 07:08
















 









Salvete omnes.



My thoughts and prayers are with Marinus and his family.



Requiem æternam dona ea et lux perpetua luceat ea.

Requiescat in pace.



Valete,



Cato

Savlete omnes,

This is indeed sad news. She will certainly be in my prayers and thoughts.

QSP


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

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus est ante diem VIII Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"On their arrival in Rome, the senate assembled in the Capitol and
granted them an audience. T. Manlius, the consul, acting on the
instructions of the senate, recommended them not to make war upon the
Samnites, with whom the Romans had a treaty, on which Annius, as
though he were a conquerer who had captured the Capitol by arms
instead of an ambassador protected by the law of nations, said: "It is
about time, Titus Manlius and senators, that you gave up treating us
as though you were our suzerains, when you see the State of Latium
raised by the bounty of the gods to a most flourishing position, both
in population and in military power, the Samnites defeated, the
Sidicines and Campanians in alliance with us, even the Volscians now
making common cause with us, whilst your own colonies actually prefer
the government of Latium to that of Rome. But since you cannot bring
your minds to abandon your impudent claims to sovereignty, we will go
so far, in recognising that we are kindred nations, as to offer peace
upon the conditions of equal rights for both, since it has pleased the
gods to grant equal strength to both; though we are quite able to
assert the independence of Latium by force of arms. One consul must be
elected from Rome, the other from Latium; the senate must contain an
equal number of members from both nations; there must be one nation,
one republic. And in order that there may be one seat of government
and one name for all, since one side or the other must make some
concession, let us, if this City really takes precedence, be all
called Romans."

It so happened that the Romans had in their consul T. Manlius, a man
who was quite as proud and passionate as Annius. He was so enraged as
to declare that if the senate were visited by such madness as to
accept these conditions from a man from Setia, he would come with his
sword drawn into the Senate-house and kill every Latin he found there.
Then turning to the image of Jupiter, he exclaimed: "Hear, O Jupiter,
these abominable words! Hear them, O Justice and Right! Thou, Jupiter,
as though thou hadst been conquered and made captive, art to see in
thy temple foreign consuls and a foreign senate! Were these the terms
of the treaty, Latins, which Tullus, the King of Rome, made with your
fathers of Alba, or which L. Tarquin made with you afterwards? Have
you forgotten the battle at Lake Regillus? Are you so utterly
oblivious of your defeats in the old days and of our kindness towards
you?" This outburst was followed by the indignant protest of the
senate, and it is recorded that whilst on all hands appeals were being
made to the gods, whom the consuls were continually invoking as the
guardians of treaties, the voice of Annius was heard pouring contempt
upon the divine majesty of the Jupiter of Rome. At all events when, in
a storm of passion he was flinging himself out of the vestibule of the
temple, he slipped down the steps and struck his head so heavily
against the bottom step that he became unconscious. The authorities
are not agreed as to whether he was actually killed, and I leave the
question undecided, as also the statement that during the appeals to
the gods to avenge the breach of treaties, a storm burst from the sky
with a terrific roar; for they may either be true or simply invented
as an appropriate representation of the wrath of the gods. Torquatus
was sent by the senate to conduct the envoys away and when he saw
Annius lying on the ground he exclaimed, loud enough to be heard by
the senators and populace alike: 'It is well. The gods have commenced
a just and righteous war! There is a divine power at work; thou, O
Great Jupiter, art here! Not in vain have we consecrated this to be
shine abode, O Father of gods and men! Why do you hesitate, Quirites,
and you, senators, to take up arms when the gods are your leaders? I
will lay the legions of the Latins low, just as you see their envoy
lying here." The consul's words were received by the people with loud
applause and raised them to such a pitch of excitement that when the
envoys took their departure they owed their safety more to the care of
the magistrates who, on the consul's order, accompanied them to
protect them from the attacks of the angry people than to any respect
felt for the law of nations.

War having been decided upon by senate as much as people, the consuls
enrolled two armies and proceeded through the territories of the Marsi
and Paeligni, where they were joined by an army of Samnites. They
fixed their camp at Capua, where the Latins and their allies had
assembled. It is said that whilst they were there each consul had the
same vision in the quiet of the night. A Form greater and more awful
than any human form appeared to them and announced that the commander
of the one army and the army itself on the other side were destined as
a sacrifice to the Dii Manes and to Mother Earth. In whichever army
the commander should have devoted the legions of his enemies and
himself as well to those deities, that army, that people would have
the victory. When the consuls compared these visions of the night
together, they decided that victims should be slain to avert the wrath
of the gods, and further, that if, on inspection, they should portend
the same as the vision had announced, one of the two consuls should
fulfil his destiny. When the answers of the soothsayers after they had
inspected the victims, proved to correspond with their own secret
belief in the vision, they called up the superior officers and told
them to explain publicly to the soldiers what the gods had decreed, in
order that the voluntary death of a consul might not create a panic in
the army. They arranged with each other that when either division
began to give way, the consul in command of it should devote himself
on behalf of the Roman people and the Quirites." The council of war
also decided that if ever any war had been conducted with the strict
enforcement of orders, on this occasion certainly, military discipline
should be brought back to the ancient standard. Their anxiety was
increased by the fact that it was against the Latins that they had to
fight, a people resembling them in language, manners, arms, and
especially in their military organisation. They had been colleagues
and comrades, as soldiers, centurions, and tribunes, often stationed
together in the same posts and side by side in the same maniples. That
this might not prove a source of error and confusion, orders were
given that no one was to leave his post to fight with the enemy." -
Livy, History of Rome 8.5


"Sing, clear-voiced Muse, of Castor and Polydeuces, the Tyndaridae,
who sprang from Olympian Zeus. Beneath the heights fo Taygetus stately
Leda bare them, when the dark-clouded Son of Cronos had privily bent
her to his will." - Homer, Hymn to The Dioscuri XVIII.2.1-4

"Bright-eyed Muses, tell of the Tyndaridae, the Sons of Zeus, glorious
children of neat-ankled Leda, Castor the tamer of horses, and
blameless Polydeuces. When Leda had lain with the dark-clouded Son of
Cronos, she bare them beneath the peak of the great hill Taygetus, --
children who are delivers of men on earth and of swift-going ships
when stormy gales rage over the ruthless sea. Then the shipmen call
upon the sons of great Zeus with vows of white lambs, going to the
forepart of the prow; but the strong wind and the waves of the sea lay
the ship under water, until suddenly these two are seen darting
through the air on tawny wings. Forthwith they allay the blasts of the
cruel winds and still the waves upon the surface of the white sea:
fair signs are they and deliverance from toil. And when the shipmen
see them they are glad and have rest from their pain and labour." -
Homer, Hymn to the Dioscuri XXXIII.2.1-17

"According to tradition, Kastor and Polydeukes, who were also known as
the Dioskouroi, far surpassed all other men in valour and gained the
greatest distinction in the campaign in which they took part with the
Argonauts; and they have come to the aid of many who have stood in
need of succour. And, speaking generally, their manly spirits and
skill as generals, and their justice and piety as well, have won them
fame among practically all men, since they make their appearance as
helpers of those who fall into unexpected perils (that is, they appear
to mariners in storms). Moreover, because of their exceptional valour
they have been judged to be sons of Zeus, and when they departed from
among mankind they attained to immortal honours." - Diodorus Siculus,
Library of History VI.6

"Human experience moreover and general custom have made it a practise
to confer the deification of renown and gratitude upon distinguished
benefactors. This is the origin of Hercules, of Castor and Pollux, of
Aesculapius ... And these benefactors were duly deemed divine, as
being both supremely good and immortal, because their souls survived
and enjoyed eternal life." - Cicero, De Natura Deorum 2.24

"'Tell me the cause of this star sign.' The god's eloquent lips
supplied the cause: `The Tyndarid brothers, the horseman and the
boxer, had raped and kidnapped Phoebe and her sister. Idas and his
brother go to war for their women, to whom they were betrothed by
Leucippus. Love drives one group to recover, one to refuse; the
identical cause makes each pair fight. The Oebalids could have outrun
their pursuers, but it seemed base to win on rapid flight. There is a
treeless place, a spot fit for battle. They took their stand there:
it's name Aphidna. Castor was stabbed in the chest by Lynceus' sword,
and hit the ground wounded and surprised. The avenger Pollux is there
and spears Lynceus where the neck joins and presses the shoulders.
Idas attacked and was barely routed by Jove's fire; but they deny the
lightning disarmed him. The sublime heaven already opened for you,
Pollux, when you said: `Hear my words, father. Divide between two the
heaven reserved for me. Half of the gift will exceed the whole.' He
spoke and ransomed his brother by rotating positions. Both stars
assist troubled ships." - Ovid, Fasti V.697



In ancient Greece, today was held in honor of the Heavenly Twins, the
Dioskouri, Castor and Pollux. The Disocuri were Castor and Polydeuces
(or Pollux), the twin sons of Leda and Zeus and the brothers of Helen
of Troy. Because Zeus came to Leda in the form of a swan, they are
sometimes presented as having been born from an egg. Pollux was a
formidable boxer, and Castor was a great horseman. Together, they were
the "Heavenly Twins," often associated with the constellation Gemini.
Four episodes from their careers are most notable:

1. After Theseus kidnapped their sister Helen and carried her off to
Aphidnae, Castor and Pollux rescued her; they also abducted Theseus'
mother, Aethra.
2. Later, the twins accompanied Jason on the Argo; during the voyage,
Pollux distinguished himself by killing the belligerent king Amycus,
who challenged him to a boxing match.
3. When Peleus attacked and laid waste to Iolcus, in revenge for the
evils done to him by its queen, Astydameia, the Dioscuri assisted him.
4. Castor and Pollux also abducted and married Phoebe and Hilaeira,
the daughters of Leucippus, who were betrothed to the sons of
Aphareus, Idas and Lynceus Castor was killed in the ensuing battle.

Later sources mentioned that Castor was the son of Leda and the mortal
Tyndareus, with whom she was married. This made Castor mortal and
Polydeuces immortal. When Castor died in the battle against the sons
of Aphareus, Polydeuces pleaded with his father Zeus that he and his
brother would not be separated. Zeus granted him that wish on the
condition that the two spend alternate days on Olympus (as gods) and
in Hades (as deceased mortals).

The cult of the Dioscuri was indigenous of Sparta but spread
throughout Greece and later to Italy. They were the protectors of
sailors and were regarded as beneficent deities. On the Peloponnesus
in particular they had many sanctuaries, among which in Sparta and
Mantinea. In Rome their temple was on the Forum Romanum. The
popular belief at Rome, from an early period, seems to have been that
the victory of the Romans at the Battle of Lake Regillus was decided
by supernatural agency. Castor and Pollux, it was said, had fought
armed and mounted, at the head of the legions of the commonwealth, and
had afterwards carried the news of the victory with incredible speed
to the city. The well in the Forum at which they had alighted was
pointed out. Near the well rose their ancient temple. A great festival
was kept to their honor on the Ides of Quintilis, supposed to be the
anniversary of the battle; and on that day sumptuous sacrifices were
offered to them at the public charge. One spot on the margin of Lake
Regillus was regarded during many ages with superstitious awe. A mark,
resembling in shape a horse's hoof, was discernible in the volcanic
rock; and this mark was believed to have been made by one of the
celestial chargers.

In iconography, they were portrayed as young heroes. The archaic art
portrays them in the nude, without beards or attributes, such as on a
metope from the treasury of the Siphnians (Delphi). Greek vases from
the sixth and fifth century B.C. they appear frequently as riders,
clad in a mantle of chiton, such as on an amphora by Execias (ca. 550
B.C.) at the Vatican Museum. A famous theme was the abduction of the
Leucippides, for example on a hydria by Meidias (ca. 400 B.C.). They
also frequently appear on Etruscan mirrors and coins and on Roman
sarcophagi. Well-known too are the four-meter tall statues in front of
the Quirinal in Rome.


Valete bene!

Cato

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem VII Kalendas Novembris; hic dies fastus est.


"Amongst the troop commanders, who had been sent out everywhere to
reconnoitre, there happened to be T. Manlius, the consul's son. He had
ridden out with his men by the enemy's camp and was hardly a
stone's-throw from their nearest post, where the Tusculan cavalry were
stationed, when Geminus Maecius, who was in command, a man of high
reputation amongst his own people, recognised the Roman cavalry and
the consul's son at their head, for they were all-especially the men
of distinction-known to each other. Accosting Manlius he said: "Are
you going to conduct the war against the Latins and their allies with
that single troop of yours? What will the consuls, what will their two
armies be doing in the meantime?" "They will be here in good time,
Manlius replied, "and so will Jupiter, the Great and Powerful, the
witness of your breach of faith. If we fought at Lake Regillus till
you had quite enough, certainly we shall succeed here also in
preventing you from finding too much pleasure in meeting us in
battle." In reply, Geminus rode forward a short distance and said:
"Are you willing, before the day comes when you are to set your armies
in motion for so great an effort, to have a meeting with me that the
result of our single combat may show how much a Latin horseman is
superior to a Roman?" Either urged on by anger or feeling ashamed to
decline the contest, or dragged on by the irresistible power of
destiny, the high-spirited youth forgot the consul's edict and the
obedience due to a father and rushed headlong into a contest in which
victory or defeat were alike fatal. The rest of the cavalry retired to
remain spectators of the fray; the two combatants selected a clear
space over which they charged each other at full gallop with levelled
spears. Manlius' lance passed above his adversary's helmet, Maecius'
across the neck of the other's horse. They wheeled their horses round,
and Manlius standing in his stirrups was the first to get in a second
stroke; he thrust his lance between the horse's ears. Feeling the
wound the horse reared, shook its head violently, and threw its rider
off. Whilst he was trying to rise after his heavy fall by supporting
himself with his lance and shield, Manlius drove his lance right
through his body and pinned him to the earth. After despoiling the
body he returned to his men, and amidst their exulting shouts entered
the camp and went straight to his father at the headquarters' tent,
not in the least realising the nature of his deed or its possible
consequences, whether praise or punishment. "That all may say, my
father," he said, "that I am a true scion of your blood, I bring to
you these equestrian spoils taken from a dead enemy who challenged me
to single combat." On hearing this the consul turned away from his son
and ordered the trumpet to sound the Assembly.

The soldiers mustered in large numbers and the consul began: "Since
you, T. Manlius, have shown no regard for either the authority of a
consul or the obedience due to a father, and in defiance of our edict
have left your post to fight against the enemy, and have done your
best to destroy the military discipline through which the Roman State
has stood till now unshaken, and have forced upon me the necessity of
forgetting either my duty to the republic or my duty to myself and my
children, it is better that we should suffer the consequences of our
offence ourselves than that the State should expiate our crime by
inflicting great injury upon itself. We shall be a melancholy example,
but one that will be profitable to the young men of the future. My
natural love of my children and that proof of courage which from a
false sense of honour you have given, move me to take your part, but
since either the consuls authority must be vindicated by your death or
for ever abrogated by letting you go unpunished, I would believe that
even you yourself, if there is a drop of my blood in your veins, will
not shrink from restoring by your punishment the military discipline
which has been weakened by your misconduct. Go, lictor, bind him to
the stake." All were paralysed by such a ruthless order; they felt as
if the axe was directed against each of them; fear rather than
discipline keep them motionless. For some moments they stood
transfixed in silence, then suddenly, when they saw the blood pouring
from his severed neck, their voices rose in unrestrained and angry
complaint; they spared neither laments nor curses. The body of the
youth covered with his spoils was cremated on a pyre erected outside
the rampart, with all the funeral honours that the soldiers' devotion
could pay. "Manlian orders" were not only regarded with horror for the
time, but were looked upon as setting a frightful precedent for the
future." - Livy, History of Rome 8.7



"When day came Sekhmet the terrible came also, licking her lips at the
thought of the men whom she would slay. She found the place flooded
and no living creature in sight; but she saw the beer which was the
colour of blood, and she thought it was blood indeed -- the blood of
those whom she had slain. Then she laughed with joy, and her laughter
was like the roar of a lioness hungry for the kill. Thinking that it
was indeed blood, she stooped and drank. Again and yet again she
drank, laughing with delight; and the strength of the beer mounted to
her brain, so that she could no longer slay. At last she came reeling
back to where Ra was waiting; that day she had not killed even a
single man. Then Ra said: 'You come in peace, sweet one.' And her name
was changed to Hathor, and her nature was changed also to the
sweetness of love and the strength of desire. And henceforth Hathor
laid low men and women only with the great power of love. But for ever
after her priestesses drank in her honour of the beer of Heliopolis
coloured with the red ochre of Elephantine when they celebrated her
festival each New Year." - from "The Destruction of Mankind",
inscribed on the tomb of Tutankhamen


In ancient Egypt, today was held in honor of the goddess Hathor.
Hathor was a pre-Dynastic goddess who gained enormous popularity early
on. Her name is translated as "the House of Horus", which may be a
reference to her as the embodiment of the sky in her role of the
Celestial Cow, being that which surrounds the decidedly sky-oriented
hawk-deity, Horus, when he takes wing. If Horus was the god associated
with the living king, Hathor was the god associated with the living
queen. In earlier periods she was most often depicted as a full cow
with the sundisk between her horns or as a slender woman wearing the
horns-and-a-sundisk headdress (which may or may not have a uraeus upon
it). She was also shown as a hippopotamus, a falcon, a cobra, or a
lioness, however these were not as frequent as the woman or the cow.
While there are some depictions of Hathor as a woman with a cow's
head, this is mainly found only in the later periods.

Hathor's symbology included such items as sistra (a type of rattle),
the horns-and-sundisk headdress (in much later times incorporated into
the attire of Isis), the menat (a type of ritual necklace that may
have been used for percussive music), and mirrors. Many ancient
mirrors and sistra decorated with smiling, often nude Hathors on them
have been uncovered over the years, and Hathor's visage (with cow
ears) commonly appeared at the top of stone columns in Egyptian
temples, many of which can still be seen today. Her cult flourished in
Ta-Netjer ("Land of God" -- modern day Dendera) in Upper Egypt and her
priests included both men and women, many of whom were dancers,
singers, or musicians as the arts fell under Hathor's domain. Priests
of Hathor were also oracles and midwives, and people could go to some
temples of Hathor to have their dreams interpreted by her priests.
Hathor's protection was invoked over children and pregnant women.

Hathor, as the Eye of Ra, "becomes" Sakhmet in the story "The
Destruction of Mankind". Engraved into one of the shrines of
Tutankhamen's tomb, the story tells how Hathor, at the request of her
father (Ra), turns into Sakhmet in order to punish humans for
transgressing against him. When she nearly wipes out all of humanity,
Ra tries to stop her and, failing in that, contrives to get her drunk,
whereupon she immediately forgets what it was she was doing and goes
back to being Hathor. Hathor also appears as a minor character in "The
Contendings of Horus and Seth". Her father (Ra) falls into a black
mood so Hathor sets forth to cheer him up. Removing her clothing, she
dances around his throne until he smiles again.

An additional myth, sometimes called "The Distant Goddess", tells of
how Hathor became angry with Ra and wandered away from Egypt. Great
sadness falls over the land and Ra, lost without his Eye, decides to
fetch her back. However, Hathor has now become a deadly wild cat who
destroys all that approaches her, and so no man or god will volunteer
to go get her. Thoth eventually agrees to lure her back and, dressed
in disguise, manages to coax the angry goddess to return to Egypt by
telling her stories. Back in her homeland, she bathes in the Nile and
once again settles into her normally gentle demeanor, but not before
the waters turn red from the effort of cooling her rage. In some
versions of this story it is Tefnut, not Hathor, who wanders away from
Egypt, and Shu, not Thoth, who brings her back.

Hathor is associated with numerous other Egyptian goddesses. Her
connections with Bastet helped to "soften up" that deity's visage, and
as discussed previously Hathor was the other side of the Sakhmet coin.
Hathor also seems to have absorbed many of the properties of Bat
(another pre-Dynastic cow goddess), who is depicted at the top of the
famous Narmer palette overseeing the events detailed therein.

Hathor is also known as the "Lady to the Limit" ("limit" meaning the
edges of the known universe) and the "Lady of the West"; her image is
sometimes seen on funerary depiction as she stands behind Osiris,
welcoming the dead to their new home. Other titles of Hathor include
the "Divine (or Celestial) Cow", "Mistress of Heaven", and "Lady of
Gold", the last two of which were sometimes attributed to the queens
of ancient Egypt. Hathor was also known as the "Lady of Greenstone and
Malachite" due to her being regarded as a goddess of the desert
fringes where such mines existed.

The Greeks called Hathor by the name of their goddess, Aphrodite. In
the very late stages of Egyptian religion (over two millennia after
Hathor had first appeared) she became almost totally absorbed into
Isis (who acquired, aside from Hathor's headdress, the sistrum as
well), resulting in frequent mistaken identity between the two. There
are, however, subtle differences. When Isis is shown with the horns
she is also (usually) shown with either the vulture headdress (which
was associated with Mut, a goddess of Thebes), winged, or wearing a
multi-colored feathered dress. There are of course exceptions (such as
in the tomb of Horemheb), in which case knowledge of hieroglyphs is
necessary to discern which goddess is which.

At the temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel, Nefertari is shown as Hathor
in many places, and Ramses II (the husband of Nefertari) is shown in
one sanctuary receiving milk from Hathor the cow. When a child was
born in Egypt, seven Hathors (somewhat like European fairy godmothers)
would appear to "speak with one mouth" and determine the child's fate.
Hathor's own child was Ihy, who was worshipped in Dendera with her and
Horus-Behdety. Like his mother, Ihy was a god of music and dancing,
and was always depicted as a child bearing a sistrum.


Valete bene!

Cato

Cato omnibus in foro SPD

Hodiernus dies est ante diem VI Kalendas Novembris; haec dies comitialis est.

"The terrible severity of the punishment, however, made the soldiers
more obedient to their general, and not only did it lead to greater
attention being paid to the pickets and sentry duties and the ordering
of the outposts, but when they went into battle for the final contest,
this severity proved to be of the greatest service. The battle was
exactly like one fought in a civil war; there was nothing in the Latin
army different from the Roman except their courage. At first the
Romans used the large round shield called the clipeus, afterwards,
when the soldiers received pay, the smaller oblong shield called the
scutum was adopted. The phalanx formation, similar to the Macedonian
of the earlier days, was abandoned in favour of the distribution into
companies (manipuli); the rear portion being broken up into smaller
divisions. The foremost line consisted of the hastati, formed into
fifteen companies, drawn up at a short distance from each other. These
were called the light-armed companies, as whilst one-third carried a
long spear (hasta) and short iron javelins, the remainder carried
shields. This front line consisted of youths in the first bloom of
manhood just old enough for service. Behind them were stationed an
equal number of companies, called principes, made up of men in the
full vigour of life, all carrying shields and furnished with superior
weapons. This body of thirty companies were called the antepilani.
Behind them were the standards under which were stationed fifteen
companies, which were divided into three sections called vexillae, the
first section in each was called the pilus, and they consisted of 180
men to every standard (vexillum). The first vexillum was followed by
the triarii, veterans of proved courage; the second by the rorarii, or
"skirmishers," younger men and less distinguished; the third by the
accensi, who were least to be depended upon, and were therefore placed
in the rearmost line.

When the battle formation of the army was completed, the hastati were
the first to engage. If they failed to repulse the enemy, they slowly
retired through the intervals between the companies of the principes
who then took up the fight, the hastati following in their rear. The
triarii, meantime, were resting on one knee under their standards,
their shields over their shoulders and their spears planted on the
ground with the points upwards, giving them the appearance of a
bristling palisade. If the principes were also unsuccessful, they
slowly retired to the triarii, which has given rise to the proverbial
saying, when people are in great difficulty "matters have come down to
the triarii." When the triarii had admitted the hastati and principes
through the intervals separating their companies they rose from their
kneeling posture and instantly closing their companies up they blocked
all passage through them and in one compact mass fell on the enemy as
the last hope of the army. The enemy who had followed up the others as
though they had defeated them, saw with dread a now and larger army
rising apparently out of the earth. There were generally four legions
enrolled, consisting each of 5000 men, and 300 cavalry were assigned
to each legion. A force of equal size used to be supplied by the
Latins, now, however, they were hostile to Rome. The two armies were
drawn up in the same formation, and they knew that if the maniples
kept their order they would have to fight, not only vexilla with
vexilla, hastati with hastati, principes with principes, but even
centurion with centurion. There were amongst the triarii two
centurions, one in each army-the Roman, possessing but little bodily
strength but an energetic and experienced soldier, the Latin, a man of
enormous strength and a splendid fighter-very well known to each other
because they had always served in the same company. The Roman,
distrusting his own strength, had obtained the consuls' permission
before leaving Rome to choose his own sub-centurion to protect him
from the man who was destined to be his enemy. This youth, finding
himself face to face with the Latin centurion, gained a victory over
him." - Livy, History of Rome 8.8


PERSON OF THE DAY - FAUNUS

The god of wild nature and fertility, also regarded as the giver of
oracles. He was later identified with the Greek Pan and also assumed
some of Pan's characteristics such as the horns and hooves. As the
protector of cattle he is also referred to as Lupercus ("he who wards
off the wolf") by Justin Martyr.

Faunus was known as the father of Bona Dea (Fauna, his feminine side)
and Latinus by the nymph Marica (who was also sometimes Faunus'
mother). One particular tradition tells that Faunus was the king of
Latium, and the son of Picus. After his death he was deified as
Fatuus, and a small cult formed around his person in the sacred forest
of Tibur (Tivoli). On February 15 (the founding date of his temple)
his feast, the Lupercalia, was celebrated. Priests (called the
Luperci) wearing goat skins walked through the streets of Rome and hit
the spectators with belts made from goat skin. Another festival was
the Faunalia, observed on December 5.

He is accompanied by the fauns, analogous to the Greek satyrs. His
feminine counterpart is Fauna. The wolfskin, wreath, and a goblet are
his attributes

Valete bene!

Cato