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



Today morning, capite velato, I invoked Iuno Covella by saying the
traditional

formula:



« Die te quinti kalo, Iuno Covella »

« Die te quinti kalo, Iuno Covella »

« Die te quinti kalo, Iuno Covella »

« Die te quinti kalo, Iuno Covella »

« Die te quinti kalo, Iuno Covella »



I offered incense and saying prayers I asked the Goddess to be favorable
toward us, the Quirites of Nova Roma for 2766.

This month the nundinal letter is "F".

This month on 21th (the Parilia) we celebrate the 2766th birthday of Rome.

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



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------



APRILIS



1 C Kal. Apr. F
Veneralia

2 D a.d. IV Non. Apr. F Ater

3 E a.d. III Non. Apr. C

4 F Pr. Non. Apr. C
Megalesia, Nundina

5 G Non. Apr. N L.
Megalenses

6 H a.d. VIII Id. Apr. N L.
Megalenses, Ater

7 A a.d. VII Id. Apr. N L.
Megalenses

8 B a.d. VI Id. Apr. N L.
Megalenses

9 C a.d. V Id. Apr. N L.
Megalenses

10 D a.d. IV Id. Apr. N L.
Megalenses

11 E a.d. III Id. Apr. N

12 F Pr. Id. Apr. N L.
Cereales, Nundina

13 G Id. Apr. NP Feriae
Iovi, L. Cereales

14 H a.d. XVIII Kal. Mai. N Ater, L.
Cereales

15 A a.d. XVII Kal. Mai. NP L. Cereales

16 B a.d. XVI Kal. Mai. N L. Cereales

17 C a.d. XV Kal. Mai. N L. Cereales

18 D a.d. XIV Kal. Mai. N L. Cereales

19 E a.d. XIII Kal. Mai. NP Cerealia, L.
Cereales

20 F a.d. XII Kal. Mai. N Nundina

21 G a.d. XI Kal. Mai. NP Parilia

22 H a.d. X Kal. Mai. N

23 A a.d. IX Kal. Mai. F Vinalia
Priora

24 B a.d. VIII Kal. Mai. C

25 C a.d. VII Kal. Mai. NP Robigalia

26 D a.d. VI Kal. Mai. F

27 E a.d. V Kal. Mai. C

28 F a.d. IV Kal. Mai. C Floralia,
Nundina

29 G a.d. III Kal. Mai. C L.
Florales

30 H Pr. Kal. Mai. C L.
Florales



---------------------------------------



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

benevolence.



Optime valete.



--

C. Petronius Dexter

Arcoiali scribebat

Kalendis Aprilibus MMDCCLXVI





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

Cn. Cornelius Lentulus pontifex, sacerdos Concordiae: consulibus, praetoribus, tribunis plebis, senatui populoque Novo Romano: salutem plurimam dicit:

Salvete, Quirites!

I continue fulfilling my vow that was to sacrifice on each Kalends to Concordia for our unity, strength and growth. in the Sacred Year of our 15th Anniversary. Today I have performed the Kalends Ritual to Concordia for our Sacred Year of Concordia, Quindecennalia (15th Anniversary year).

Last month, we celebrated the very day of our  15th birthday. We continue honouring Nova Roma on every Kalends and offer prayers and sacrifices for our future. Nova Romans, always keep in mind that we don't live in the same place, nor under the same law or under the same circumstances. We have different backgrounds, we speak different languages and we come from different ethnicity and culture. Only Concordia keeps us together, concord in our basic goals and concord in our common interest: to succeed. Only if we worship Unity and we focus on Concordance, can we achieve significance in our mission.   

May Dea Concordia bless our community with peace, growth and unity! May Concordia help us in our ways to restore Rome! May Dea Concordia create love and peace within our Republic!

People and Magistartes of Nova Roma: Pray to Concordia to create unity and growth, to help us to fulfill our final goal: to restore Rome!

I have performed the following ritual today:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SACRIFICIVM CONCORDIAE KALENDIS APRILIBUS ANNO XV NOVAE ROMAE CONDITAE

Favete linguis!

(Beginning of the sacrifice.)

1. PRAEFATIO

Dea Concordia, 
hisce Kalendis Aprilibus anni quinti decimi Novae Romae conditae
te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor,
uti sies volens propitia Populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
novis magistratis, nobis quaestoribus,
Collegio Pontificum,
mihi, domo, familiae!

[Goddess Concordia,
on these Kalends of April of the Fifteenth Anniversary Year of the founding of Nova Roma,
by offering you this incense, I pray good prayers so
that you may be benevolent and propitious
to the Nova Roman People of the Quirites,
to the Republic of the Nova Roman People of the Quirites,
to the new magistrates, to us, Quaestors,
to the College of Pontiffs,
to me, to my household and to my family.]

(Incense is placed in the focus of the altar.)

Dea Concordia, 
Dea pacis et fortitudinis Senatus Populique Novi Romani Quiritium, 
uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo macte lacte inferio esto!"

[Goddess Concordia,
Goddess of peace and strength of the Nova Roman Senate and People of the Quirites,
as by offering you the incense I have well prayed good prayers,
for the very same reason be thou blessed by this sacrificial milk.]

(Libation of milk is made.)

2. PRECATIO

Dea Concordia, 
hisce Kalendis Ianuariis anni quinti decimi Novae Romae conditae
te precor, veneror, quaesoque obtestorque:
uti pacem concordiamque et iustitiam constantem societati Novae Romae tribuas;
utique Rem Publicam Populi Novi Romani Quiritium confirmes, augeas, adiuves,
omnibusque discordiis liberes;
utique Res Publica Populi Novi Romani Quiritium semper floreat;
atque hoc anno anniversarii quinti decimi Novae Romae conditae convalescat;
atque pax et concordia, salus et gloria Novae Romae omni tempore crescat,
utique omnes qui se Romanos nominant unifices,
unum populum unamque gentem omnes qui se Romanos nominant facias,
unum populum in Nova Roma omnes Romanos hodiernos colligas;
utique Populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
mihi, domo, familiae
omnes in hoc anno sexto decimo Novae Romae conditae eventus bonos faustosque esse siris;
utique sies volens propitia
Populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
magistratibus, consulibus, praetoribus, quaestoribus Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
tribunis Plebis Novae Romanae,
Senatui Novo Romano,
Collegio Pontificum,
omnibus civibus, viris et mulieribus, pueris et puellabus Novis Romanis,
mihi, domo, familiae!

[Goddess Concordia,
on these Kalends of April of the Fifteenth Anniversary Year of the founding of Nova Roma,
I pray, worship, ask and beseech you so
that you may grant peace and steadfast concord to the society of Nova Roma;
so that you may confirm, strengthen and help
the Republic of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
and save it from all discord;
so that the Republic of the Nova Roman People of Quirites
may always flourish and prosper,
and in this year of the 15th Anniversary may get even stronger;
that peace and concord, the welfare and glory of Nova Roma may increase all the time;
and that you may unite all people who call themselves Roman,
make them who call themselves Roman one people and one nation,
collect together all modern Romans as one nation united into Nova Roma;
and that you allow all events in this 16th Year of Nova Roma to be good and salutary
to the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the Republic of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to me, to my household and to my family;
and so that you may be benevolent and propitious
to the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the Republic of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the magistrates, consuls, the praetors, the quaestors of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the tribunes of the Nova Roman Plebs,
to the Nova Roman Senate,
to the College of Pontiffs,
to all Nova Roman citizens, men and women, boys and girls,
to me, to my household and to my family.]

3. SACRIFICIUM 

Sicut verba nuncupavi,
quaeque ita faxis,
uti ego me sentio dicere:
harum rerum ergo macte
his quattuordecim libis libandis,
hoc lacte melle mixto libando,
hoc ture ommovendo
esto fito volens propitia
et hoc anno anniversarii quinti decimi Novae Romae conditae et semper
Populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
magistratibus, consulibus, praetoribus, quaestoribus Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
tribunis Plebis Novae Romanae,
Senatui Novo Romano,
Collegio Pontificum,
omnibus civibus, viris et mulierbus, pueris et puellabus Novis Romanis,
mihi, domo, familiae!

[As I have these words pronounced,
you shall do exactly
what I mean I am saying:
for all these reasons, thou blessed
by offering this libum,
by offering this milk with honey,
by offering this incense
be benevolent and propitious
both in this year of the 15th Anniversary of the founding of Nova Roma and always,
to the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the Republic of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the magistrates, the consuls, the praetors, the quaestors of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the tribunes of the Nova Roman Plebs,
to the Nova Roman Senate,
to the College of Pontiffs,
to all Nova Roman citizens, men and women, boys and girls,
to me, to my household and to my family.]


(Libation of libum, milk with honey is made and incense is
sacrificed.)

Ilicet!

(End of the sacrifice.)

5. PIACULUM

Concordia Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
Omnes Di Immortales quocumque nomine:
si quidquam vobis in hac caerimonia displicet,
hoc vino inferio veniam peto et vitium meum expio.

[Concordia of the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
All Gods Immortal by whathever name I may call you:
if anything in this ceremony was displeasing to you,
with this sacrificial wine I ask forgiveness and expiate my fault.]

(I offered incense on the altar and poured a libation of wine on the altar.)




Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, quaestor
P O N T I F E X
SACERDOS CONCORDIAE


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

Salvete omnes!


The Daily Mail has a piece about a ring found at Calleva (Silchester) that might possibly have inspired Tolkien to write the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books.

Here is the piece:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302710/Was-cursed-Roman-ring-exhibition-Hampshires-The-Vyne-JRR-Tolkiens-inspiration-The-Hobbit.html

What is interesting is that Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum) was also the place where the wingless bird model that inspired Rosemary Sutcliff to write "The Eagle of the Ninth", followed by the others in the series.

Sadly the model bird was not a repatriated Roman Eagle, and it is more likely that Tolkien drew from non-Roman sources for the Ring sagas, but exploration continues at Silchester. Who knows what else might yet be found there?

Valete omnes!

Crispus

Cn. Lentulus pontifex Quiritibus s. p. d.

The Ludi Megalenses, the Megalesia, have started today, which this year have a special significance since we are celebrating 15 years of Nova Roma. In the name of the
aedilis Placidus, and on the behalf of the Nova Roman Republic, I
have offered the solemn Megalesia sacrifice to Magna Mater, a Goddess
with whom Nova Roma has a special connection.

I asked Her
blessings on the 15 years old Nova Roma and its people.

Happy Megalesia!



The sacrifice has been this:

Favete linguis!

1. PRAEFATIO

Magna Mater Deum Idaea,
te hoc thure obmovendo bonas preces precor,
uti sies volens propitia Novae Romae,
mihi, domo, familiae!

[Great Idaean Mother
of the Gods,
by offering you this incense, I pray good prayers so
that you may be benevolent and propitious to Nova Roma
to me, to my household and to my family.]

Magna Mater Deum Idaea,
uti te thure dato bonas preces precatus sum,
eiudem rei ergo macte hoc lacte libando
esto fito volens propitia Novae Romae,
mihi domo familiae!

[Great Idaean Mother of the Gods,
as by offering you the incense I have well prayed good prayers,
for the very same reason be thou, blessed by this sacrificial milk,
benevolent and propitious to Nova Roma
to me, to my household and to my family.]

2. PRECATIO

Magna Mater Deum Idaea,
te quaesumus veneramur precamur
uti hisce ludis Megalensibus tuis sactissimis,
hoc anniversario quinto decimo Novae Romae conditae,
Novam Romam augeas, adiuves, confirmes,
utique negligentiam erga te nostram ignoscas,
atque uti nobis ignoscas propter vitia nostra
facta de Proiecto Magnae Matris!

[Great Idaean Mother of the Gods,
we ask, pray and beseech you so
that, upon these Megalesian Games consacrated to you,
in the year of the 15th Anniversary of the founding of Nova Roma,
you may confirm,
strengthen and help Nova Roma,
so that forgive us our negligence towards you,
and forgive us for our mistakes
committed regarding the Magna Mater Project!]

3. SACRIFICIUM

Harum rerum ergo macte
hoc lacte melle mixto
et hoc thure dato
esto fito volens propitia Novae Romae,
Populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
Reique Publicae Populi Novi Romani Quiritium,
collegio pontificum,
mihi, domo, familiae!

[For all these reasons, thou blessed
by offering these 3 liba,
by offering this milk with honey,
by offering this incense
be benevolent and propitious to Nova Roma,
to the Nova Roman People of Quirites,
to the College of Pontiffs,
to me, to my household and to my family.]

4. PIACULUM

Magna Mater Deum Idaea,
si quid vitii in hac caerimonia infuit,
ex te veniam peto,
et vitium meum hoc lacte dato expio.

[Great
Idaean Mother of the Gods,
if anything in this ceremony was displeasing to you,
I ask forgiveness from you,
and I expiate my fault with this sacrificial milk]

Ilicet!


VIVAT NOVA ROMA ANNORUM XV!
LONG LIVE THE 15 Y.O. NOVA ROMA!



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

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

It is a great pleasure of mine to welcome you all into the Sixth Edition
of my ongoing, and by now very much appreciated by all of you Citizens
of Nova Roma, *IPSE DIXIT *quiz -- a game about language, culture,
history and famous people, which, as usual, is meant to entertain you
while at the same time educate you a little bit (at least I hope so) in
the great and by no means dead language of our ancestors -- the immortal
Latin.

Each day, for the duration of these Ludi Megalenses, I shall post seven
items based on famous phrases written in Latin. They are not necessarily
from Ancient Roman times, and at least one of them has no connection
whatsoever with Ancient Rome or its time. But all of the phrases are, of
course, pure Latin, and Latin is exactly what I am inviting you here to
play with, and hopefully have fun with.

The difficulty level of the quiz shall be variable. Some items, like the
first one below, are quite easy, but do not rest on your laurels too
much... a harder item may be on your way sooner than you expect!

Now, without any further time to waste, let's move to our *FIRST ITEM.*

**

*ITEM ONE: NON OLET*

1.What is the literal translation into English of this phrase? (2 points.)

2.Who is the famous person that this phrase is attributed to? (2 points.)

3.Who attributed the phrase to the person in the previous question, i.e.
who is the actual writer of the phrase? (More than one answer is
acceptable here. 2 points)

4.What is believed to be the origin of the phrase? (2 points.)

5.What is its most common figurative meaning? (2 points.)

Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@...
<mailto:ugo.coppola@... and *DO NOT *post your answers on the main list, otherwise you shall be
disqualified. You are warmly advised to use books for your research work
rather than the Internet, even if, of course, I have no power to control
this. :-)

*Anyone*within Nova Roma -- regular citizens, new citizens, passers-by
-- is allowed to enter this quiz. Answers sent to me by members of my
Cohors �dilicia are fully allowed.

You have time until the end of the Ludi Megalenses to send me your
answers, so do not worry if you are not immediately able to answer, as
you can always catch up. I will be posting scores and standings
regularily; however, all of the solutions shall be posted together at
the end of the game.

So, all of you, join me in this Sixth Edition of our continuing quest
for the Perfect Language. Read, search, identify, translate, learn... in
a nutshell, *HAVE FUN!!!*

**

Optime valete omnes!

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus

�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�



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

Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus Novæ Romæ
S.P.D.

I have already been able to see that the Sixth Edition of my IPSE DIXIT
quiz has started with the right amount of appreciation from you, and of
course I am nothing but pleased about this.

Each day I will be posting one of seven items based on famous phrases
written in Latin. Below here you will find the second one. The
difficulty level of this quiz shall be variable - the first item was
easy, this one is slightly harder... it comes and it goes. [:)]


Right now it's time for our SECOND ITEM.


ITEM TWO: TIMEO DANAOS ET DONA FERENTES

1. What is the literal translation into English of this phrase? Please
be careful about the word "et", which is not translated as "and" in this
phrase. (2 points.)

2. Who is the famous person who says this phrase in the literary work
from which is taken? (2 points.)

3. Who is the writer of the literary work referred to in the previous
question? (2 points + 2 bonus points for adding chapter/cantus/line
references.)

4. What is the most common figurative meaning of the phrase? (2
points.)

Note: Because of the fact that, in the past, some submitters seem to
have had problems in understanding what is exactly meant by "figurative
meaning", I would like to point out that all of the phrases used in this
quiz are intended as metaphors, and because of this they have a
metaphorical meaning which is different from the literal translation.
What I mean by the fourth question above is to give a short explanation
of the metaphorical, non-literal meaning of the phrase.


Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@...
<mailto:ugo.coppola@... and DO NOT post your answers on the main list, otherwise you shall be
disqualified. As for the previous item, you are warmly advised to do
your research work on books rather than on the Internet, even if, of
course, I have no power to control this. [:)]









Anyone within Nova Roma – regular citizens, new citizens, passers-by
– is allowed to enter this quiz. Answers sent to me by members of my
Cohors Ædilicia are fully allowed.

You have time until the end of the Ludi Megalenses to send me your
answers, so do not worry if you are not immediately able to answer, as
you can always catch up.

As for the first item, and as for all of the following ones, my final
invitation to you from me in this post is to read, search, identify,
translate, learnÂ… in a nutshell, HAVE FUN!!

Optime valete omnes!



Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus

Ædilis Curulis Novæ Romæ






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

Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus Novæ Romæ
S.P.D.

As I move on with the Sixth Edition of my Ipse Dixit quiz, I have to say
that I am a little bit (but just a tiny little bit!) disappointed of
having only two participating contestants as of now... they are C.
Claudius Quadratus and C. Marcius Crispus, both with a full score of 20
points. Where the heck is all the rest of you Latin-loving New Romans?
Come on and join the game - it's never too late to do it and you can
always catch up with all the items, including the third one below here.

ITEM THREE: COMES FACUNDUS IN VIA PRO VEHICULO EST
1. What is the literal translation into English of this phrase? (3
points.)
2. Who wrote it? (3 points + 1 bonus point for the source)
3. What is the figurative or metaphorical meaning of this phrase? (3
points.)

Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... and put "IPSE DIXIT" in
the subject line of your mail. DO NOT reply directly to this message and
DO NOT post your answers on the main NR list, otherwise you will be
disqualified.

Everyone within Nova Roma - full citizens, probationary citizens and
passers-by - may join in. Answers by members of my Cohors Ædilicia
are welcome. Also, you all have time until the conclusion of the Ludi
Megalenses (when I will post the solutions) to send me your answers to
all the items, so you may always catch up.

As usual, you are warmly encouraged to use books for your research work
rather than Wikipedia or any other websites or Internet-based resources,
but of course I have no control over this. [:)]

So come on, all of you... read, search, translate, identify,
interpret... in a nutshell, HAVE FUN!!

Optime valete omnes!
Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus
Ædilis Plebis Novæ Romæ



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

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

Salvete
FYI
Valete
Ti. Galerius Paulinus

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

Salus et fortuna omnes,

I'd like to offer an essay I wrote almost 9 years agp addressing my
observations of the Res Publica at the time. I know I have not been
along a lot lately, but today I had a very healing epiphany.

Venator scripsit:

I read everything, which is written to this list. As some will have
noticed, I rarely engage in rejoinder.

Some have, over the years, called me one of the best Romans in our
nation aborning. I do take this as a compliment, though I am a
"barbarian" from across the Rhine Frontier at heart. Hence, my usually
fractured stabs at Latin. ,-)

I have found that the Roman Virtues, Civic and Private, fall in line
quite well with those I have learned from my Faithway. I am, as the
subject lines indicates, an Heathen. I am a follower of the Northern
Folkway, a believer in the Holy Powers known as the Æsir and Vanir,
plus the other Beings of Northern Lore.

I do, however, acknowledge and respect the Beingness and Sacredness of
the Capitoline Immortals. I have given Them honor, by drinking toasts
to them, by writing poems, by penning ritual, by officiating at same.

I can do this, because my Holy Ones are my family. I believe They
understand that I must, to be whole, acknowledge all of my ancestors.

I believe that the Holy Ones of other Faithways likewise exists.

However, my Worship, my deepest feelings, my love, is reserved for
Uller, Thor, Sif, Skathi, Tyr, Heimdall, Idunn, Eira, Odin, Frigga and
all the other Northern Holies.

I have no religion, per se. I do follow certain practices, which could
be termed religious.

I followed a religion as a child, youth and young man. My parents and
close family were, and are, Roman Catholic of various sects within
that religion. There are other religions within my extended family and
lineage. Most have been, over the centuries of "conversion" marching
out of the Levant, through Rome and into the rest of Europe, Christian
of one sort or another.

I claim all of them as honored ancestors, because I am them. I believe
I am respectful of their memory in having awakened to my Faithway. I
hold no animus towards those who converted, or were instruments of
conversion.

Most immediately; my parents raised me, and my siblings, to be our own
persons; free thinking, independent, questioning and capable of
virtuous behavior. They also raised me to accept men and women at face
value, deserving of courtesy and a measure of respect, until the
opposite was earned.

On March 17th, 1975 CE, I took the considered decision to leave "the
Church." By the beginning of August, I had likewise abandoned
Christianity as having neither meaning to my spirit nor veracity to my
mind. Having done this, I will admit to having had an anti Christian
mindset for quite a few years. I got over it.

I can respect anyone's faith and beliefs, so long as they accord the same to me.

Most of the people I know and who know me are not of my faithway. Very
few, across the broad scope of my friendships and acquaintances are of
non-Levantine religions. Those who are not "People of the Book," are
in large part other Heathens, or men and women who are solidly into
reconstructionist lifeways: Roman, Hellenic, Celtic, Baltic, Germanic,
Nordic, First People (aka Native American) and the like. Some folks
with whom I correspond and meet are of the more modern ways; new
religions like Wicca or neo-Druidry.

Nova Roma is, to me, somewhat like me.

A wide ranging mind, with an expansive view of community, a bit more
closed idea of the circles of Kinship and Friendship, a desire to
engage those alike and unlike, but coming together in light of a
common purpose.

Which purpose herein is, I believe, to create a place where the best
aspects of Republican Rome can be once again brought to light as a
good example to the broader world in which we all live. I strongly
believe that the foundation stones of this are the Religio Romana, the
Virtues, a good sense of the Historic, modified by the adaptability
that the Ancients possessed, freedom to speak out boldly, tempered by
the responsibility that is our duty when exercising any power, which I
think Rights are...

I'm here because I am interested in matters historical, re-creational,
recreational and down right modern.

I'm here because I like the idea of the Old Republic coming into being
again as an asset to the world, not as a spreading empire, but as
force for being a good example to others.

I have no concern about anyone else's Private religious beliefs and
practices, so long as they exhibit the same respect for the Religio in
public as do I.

If I should ever seek office where my duties would include giving a
sacrifice in Worship to the Immortals, I would, by scruple of my
Faith, have to appoint a proxy from amongst a Practitioner of the
Religio. I would stand slightly apart, bearing witness, though not as
an actual participant.

This forum has seen its share of good times and bad, gentle words and
foul, loving approbation and loathing, happy newcomers and exiting
malcontents...

But, the Idea, the Genius of Rome does remain, bigger than any one man or woman.

The only power we have, in any free will association such as this, is
over our own self, really.

I have little interest in the political, though I do try and keep up
on Nova Roma's polity. I still have no idea what a "Boni" might be.
Probably because I have steadfastly remained a "Faction" of one.

It is good to vest interest and feeling in the future of this
enterprise. It is unhealthy to let things get to you.

Right now the majority of Cives don't even bother to come to this
forum. Right now, the majority of the subscribers herein do not even
write. Right now, as in any such organization to which I have
belonged, a small, vocal minority does the planning, the
brainstorming, the day-to-day work, the voting...

How do we all, the odd assortment of field stones, come together to
build a solid edifice?

mea sententia

=========================================
In Amicus sub Fidelis -
Publius Ullerius Stephanus Venator Piperbarbus

"Ita mali salvam ac sospitem rem p. sistere in sua sede liceat atque
eius rei fructum percipere, quem peto, ut optimi status auctor dicar
et moriens ut feram mecum spem, mansura in vestigio suo fundamenta rei
p. quae iecero."
- Augustus [Suetonius - Div Aug 28] {A little past area of focus, but
apt, I think.}

Salve et salvete;

Par of my electro-mining is recovery poetry 've shred in the past.
Thought this one might be of amusement.

Augur’s auger - 22 February 2006

Augur's duty, is to auger
Beyond the veil, which separates
The mind of man, and his intent
From what the Gods, may bless, let be

If Auguring, is augering
Then hand and heart, must steady be
To take what eye, does discover
And ferret out, some true meaning

If Augur's eye, does auger well
Then good or ill, is puzzled out
And words will come, of sight well seen
And guide the way, for People's good

When Augur has, augered omen
To interpret, is also clear
What it does mean, and does portend
If bad we're warned, if good we're cheered

So Auguring, is boring task
As an auger, is boring tool
But no result, of either is
Of little use, or tedious

Vale et valete - Venator

Salvete Omnes!

I am having serious trouble getting into Caninus' Forum. I keep getting a
screen to sign into Twitter, which I don't want to do, and I can't find a
way to bypass it to go directly to the forum. Caninus? HELP, (yet again).
Gratias!

Valete bene!
C. Maria Caeca

Salve Venator,

It is good to see you here again amice and thank you for your text. I
hadn't found NR at the time you wrote it so I didn't knew it but it
talks very near to my hearth and how I think and see our Res Publica.

Vale optime,
Crassus

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

I am greatly pleased and honored to see the so-far small group of
contestants answering to the items in the Sixth Edition of my *Ipse
Dixit* quiz being joined by none other but the one and only Magistra
Lingu� Latin�, the great Aula Tullia Scholastica. She answered correctly
to all three previous items, so now the current standings, as simple as
they may appear, are as follows:

- Gn�us Marcius Crispus: 30 points
- Gn�us Claudius Quadratus: 30 points
- Aula Tullia Scholastica: 30 points

Now I would like to move with on with the fourth item, but before I do,
please allow me to preface it with a note from me. By posting this
phrase, I am not absolutely meaning any offence or disrespect towards
anyone or anything. I am posting it only for its cultural and historical
value regardless of any other implications it may have, and because its
source is part of my own cultural heritage. is

*ITEM FOUR: SINE, EICIAM FESTUCAM DE OCULO TUO
*
1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English? (2 points)
2. This phrase is an incomplete quotation from a longer sentence. What
is the full sentence? [2 points - you get no extra points by writing it
in Latin, so you may as well write it in English. :-)]
3. Who are the phrase above and the full sentence attributed to? (1 point)
4. What is the source of the sentence? (1 point - two answers are
acceptable.)
5. What is, in its simplest form, the meaning of the episode to which
the sentence refers to? (2 points)
6. What other Latin writer expressed the same meaning, in a lighter way,
in a short literary work of his? (2 points)

Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... - *DO NOT* reply directly
to this message and *DO NOT* post your answers either on the main Nova
Roma list or on the Forum Hospitium list, otherwise you will be
disqualified. Also, as usual, you are warmly encouraged to make your
research on books rather than on Google or Wikipedia or other
Internet-based resources. even if, at least in my opinion, this phrase
is so famous that you do not really need to do any research at all to
reply. ;-)

*ANYONE* may join this quiz - regular citizens, probationary citizens,
would-be citizens, guests and passers-by. Answers by members of my
Cohors �dilicia are fully acceptable.

There is no time limit and anyone can catch up at any point. The game
shall end when the Ludi Megalenses end, and only then will I post the
solutions.

I end this post of mine by repeating my by-now usual invitation to all
of you: read, research, translate, identify, explain... in a nutshell,
*HAVE FUN!!!

*/Optime valete omnes!
/Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�










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

Omnibus in Foro S. P. D.

I have had the pleasure of visiting with Aeternia, Celeris and Sulla, and
having a lovely evening with Valerianus, Metellus and Avita in Phoenix
recently, as you know. It was a wonderful trip, and the greatest treasures
I brought home with me are the memories of the things that happened, and
little cameo moments that brought home some things of extreme value to me.

When we speak of citizens getting together, we think in terms, usually of
Roman oriented activities, of traditional Roman cooking, etc., and they are
valuable and extremely enjoyable. But what is really special to me about
being with Novi Romani is something we may or may not discuss, because it so
strong that, really, we don't need to. Whatever we are doing, be it in full
discussion of our Res Publica, her current health, our ideas about her
future direction, or brainstorming ideas for an ongoing or proposed project;
watching a movie such as Sherlock Holmes that has no ancient Roman theme;
squeezed into a very tiny kitchen (and I thought mine was tiny!) cooking,
sharing laughter and taking joy in one another's company; listening to truly
awesome Celtic music in the sunshine at the Highland Games; or grocery
shopping, we bring our Roman-ness (Romanitas) with us, because, whatever we
are doing, wherever we are, we are Novi Romani, And, spoken of or not, it is
known and understood by each of us.

No, this wasn't a conventus, at least not in the formal sense, but it was a
coming together of people who, whatever other differences they may have,
share something each of them values, and that something is shared between
us. It is what brought us together, and it binds us together, because when
all is said and done, We are, and we are proud to be, Novi Romani.

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

We have just turned around the buoy, as they say in sailing
competitions, in the Sixth Edition of my *IPSE DIXIT *quiz, and the
number of competing contestants has grown up to four - I am obviously
very happy about this and about the fact that my game is generating
interest among you. This is the best source of satisfaction for me
regarding the game.

CURRENT STANDINGS:
- Gaius Marcius Crispus - 40 points
- Gaius Claudius Quadratus - 40 points
- Aula Tullia Scholastica - 30 points
- Appius Claudius Iohannes - 24 points

Of course some of the above is subject to change, as both Scholastica
and Iohannes (from the Forum Hospitium) still have to send me their
answers to Item Four. To their benefit, and for any other late joiners
(remember, there is still a lot of time!), I will post it again here.

*ITEM FOUR: SINE, EICIAM FESTUCAM DE OCULO TUO

*1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English? (2 points)
2. This phrase is an incomplete quotation from a longer sentence. What
is the full sentence? [2 points - you get no extra points by writing it
in Latin, so you may as well write it in English. :-)]
3. Who are the phrase above and the full sentence attributed to? (1 point)
4. What is the source of the sentence? (1 point - two answers are
acceptable.)
5. What is, in its simplest form, the meaning of the episode to which
the sentence refers to? (2 points)
6. What other Latin writer expressed the same meaning, in a lighter way,
in a short literary work of his? (2 points)

Right now it is time to move on with the quiz, so here is, for all of
you, my next item.


*ITEM FIVE: ABSIT INVIDIA VERBO
*

**

1.What is the translation of this phrase into English? Please give a
*very *literal translation, as the common meaning of the phrase is
different from the way it is translated. (3 points)

2.Who wrote this phrase? (3 points + 1 bonus point for book/chapter
references)

3.What is the most common figurative or metaphorical sense of this
phrase? (2 points) As a hint, I may say that it is connected to the note
I attached to my previous item in this quiz - check out
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90091 .


Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... and put "IPSE DIXIT" in
the subject line of your message. *DO NOT* reply directly to this
message and *DO NOT* post your answers either on the main Nova Roma list
or on the Forum Hospitium list, otherwise you will be disqualified. Of
course you are warmly advised to use books or printed documents for your
research work, rather than Google or Wikipedia or other Internet-based
resources, but I have no power to control this. :-)

*ANYONE* may join this quiz - regular citizens, probationary citizens,
would-be citizens, guests and passers-by. Answers by members of my
Cohors �dilicia are fully acceptable.

There is no time limit and anyone can catch up at any point. The game
shall end when the Ludi Megalenses end, and only then will I post the
solutions.

As always, I finish with my multiple invitation to all of you: read,
research, translate, identify, explain... in a nutshell, *HAVE FUN!!!

*/Optime valete omnes!
/Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�



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

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

We have just turned around the buoy, as they say in sailing
competitions, in the Sixth Edition of my *IPSE DIXIT *quiz, and the
number of competing contestants has grown up to four - I am obviously
very happy about this and about the fact that my game is generating
interest among you. This is the best source of satisfaction for me
regarding the game.

CURRENT STANDINGS:
- Gaius Marcius Crispus - 40 points
- Gaius Claudius Quadratus - 40 points
- Aula Tullia Scholastica - 30 points
- Appius Claudius Iohannes - 24 points

Of course some of the above is subject to change, as both Scholastica
and Iohannes (from the Forum Hospitium) still have to send me their
answers to Item Four. To their benefit, and for any other late joiners
(remember, there is still a lot of time!), I will post it again here.

*ITEM FOUR: SINE, EICIAM FESTUCAM DE OCULO TUO

*1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English? (2 points)
2. This phrase is an incomplete quotation from a longer sentence. What
is the full sentence? [2 points - you get no extra points by writing it
in Latin, so you may as well write it in English. :-)]
3. Who are the phrase above and the full sentence attributed to? (1 point)
4. What is the source of the sentence? (1 point - two answers are
acceptable.)
5. What is, in its simplest form, the meaning of the episode to which
the sentence refers to? (2 points)
6. What other Latin writer expressed the same meaning, in a lighter way,
in a short literary work of his? (2 points)

Right now it is time to move on with the quiz, so here is, for all of
you, my next item.


*ITEM FIVE: ABSIT INVIDIA VERBO
*

**

1.What is the translation of this phrase into English? Please give a
*very *literal translation, as the common meaning of the phrase is
different from the way it is translated. (3 points)

2.Who wrote this phrase? (3 points + 1 bonus point for book/chapter
references)

3.What is the most common figurative or metaphorical sense of this
phrase? (2 points) As a hint, I may say that it is connected to the note
I attached to my previous item in this quiz - check out
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90091 .


Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... and put "IPSE DIXIT" in
the subject line of your message. *DO NOT* reply directly to this
message and *DO NOT* post your answers either on the main Nova Roma list
or on the Forum Hospitium list, otherwise you will be disqualified. Of
course you are warmly advised to use books or printed documents for your
research work, rather than Google or Wikipedia or other Internet-based
resources, but I have no power to control this. :-)

*ANYONE* may join this quiz - regular citizens, probationary citizens,
would-be citizens, guests and passers-by. Answers by members of my
Cohors �dilicia are fully acceptable.

There is no time limit and anyone can catch up at any point. The game
shall end when the Ludi Megalenses end, and only then will I post the
solutions.

As always, I finish with my multiple invitation to all of you: read,
research, translate, identify, explain... in a nutshell, *HAVE FUN!!!

*/Optime valete omnes!
/Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�



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

Salvete omnes!

There is only a slow trickle of news about excavations by the Museum of London Archaeology Service (MOLAS), though I have reported on a few occasions about what is going on with the Walbrook Mithraeum and the other sites nearby.

The BBC have produced a useful report that neatly covers all the work that is going on, so I thought you might like to read it: - here it is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22084384

This is rescue archaeology, and this is enforced by law before any building work can take place in areas of historic interest. Because there is so much Roman material in the City of London (that is the original Roman city as opposed to Greater London which is the entire modern development) this is a golden opportunity to rescue what remains.

The report includes a mention of the Walbrook Mithraeum, the temple to the god Mithras that was excavated and put on public display in the 1950s. Though there were problems with the restoration in those early days, the material saved and the public interest that this encouraged did much to popularise archaeology and interest in the past. I certainly plan to visit the Mithraeum when it becomes possible again, and I shall definitely be at the re-opening in a few years time.

Meanwhile the Museum of London (just up the road from St. Paul's Cathedral, has a rapidly growing Roman section, and I shall try to bring you news of that in the near future.

I'll continue to post updates as they arrive.

Valete omnes!
Crispus

Salvete omnes!

The BBC has released several photographs of the excavations taking place in the City of London.

The site in the bed of the Walbrook river (a long-disappeared tributary of the Thames) has preserved the types of material that are often lost through time. These include cloth, leather and wood. So we now have examples of Roman letters (on wood) and decorative panels (on leather).

You can see the photos here:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22086375

The dig is being carried out by archaeologists from the Museum of London, together with other professionals brought in to complete the work in reasonable time.

This is one of the biggest digs in Londinium for many years, and I shall try to bring you more updates from time-to-time.

Valete omnes!
Crispus

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

WOW, what a game!!! The Sixth Edition of my ongoing
cultural/linguistical/historical quiz is getting near the end and
everyone who is participating and getting so wonderfully involved seems
to be lined up to get the absolute best results out of every single
item, every single question... well, /almost /everyone. Claudius
Iohannes, Forum Hospitium, where are you?? Have you lost your plot after
the rush of the first three items? Did you get yourself marooned
somewhere? Well, as I said multiple times here, you've got still plenty
of time to catch up, because, even if I shall post the last item
tomorrow, I will end the quiz by the end of this week. If you wish to
join, please do! I am still waiting for answers from you all!

CURRENT STANDINGS:
- Gaius Marcius Crispus - 50 points
- Gaius Claudius Quadratus - 50 points
- Aula Tullia Scholastica - 40 points
- Appius Claudius Iohannes - 24 points

Right now it is time for our *sixth item*.

*ITEM SIX: DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM
*
The inclusion of this phrase in the quiz was inspired to me by the very
recent death of Ms. Margaret Thatcher, by a comment made by a TV news
reporter immediately after it, and of course by all the other reactions
to the event.

1. What is the literal translation into English of this phrase? (3
points) Feel free to add a verb. :-)
2. Who wrote the phrase, and (originally) in what language? (3 points)
3. What famous Irish writer used an ironically distorted version of
the phrase (changing one word) in a well-known novel of his? (3 points)
4. What is the figurative meaning (in this case very close to the
actual translation) of the phrase? (1 point)

Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... and put "IPSE DIXIT" in
the subject of your mail. *DO NOT* reply directly to this message and
*DO NOT* post your answers on either the Nova Roma ML or the Forum
Hospitium, otherwise you will be disqualified. You are warmly advised,
as usual, to use books for your research work rather than Google or
Wikipedia or any other Internet-based resources, but of course I have no
control over this.

I am accepting answers from *anybody* and that includes the members of
my Cohors �dilicia. You have time until next Sunday, when I will post
the solutions.

Allow me to finish this sixth Ipse Dixit post with my customary
invitation to all of you to read. research, translate, identify,
explain... in a nutshell, *HAVE FUN!!!

*/Optime valete omnes!/
Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis


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

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

I am very happy to have witnessed today the entrance of a brand-new
contestant in the Sixth Edition of my *IPSE DIXIT* quiz based on famous
Latin phrases. Yes, folks - P. Sempronius Geminus from the Forum
Hospitium has joined the race, has sent me very good answers for the
first two items and he is ready to score just as much as all of the
other competitors, if not more! But of course the race is still far from
being over, because we still have our *seventh item*, below here, and
plenty of time - the game will be over on Sunday night and I will post
the solutions on Monday. So, all of you out there who still wish to
catch up - come on and do it!

CURRENT STANDINGS
- Gaius Marcius Priscus, Gaius Claudius Quadratus, Aula Tullia
Scholastica - 60 points
- Appius Claudius Iohannes - 24 points
- Publius Sempronius Geminus - 20 points

Right now, here's the seventh and last item for all of you.

*ITEM SEVEN*

**

This item is very different from all the others I have posted up to now
for this quiz, because (1) it is medieval in origin rather than Roman,
and (2) it carries a story with it, and its correct interpretation
requires a full understanding of the story.

In the Italian language we have a proverb: "Because of a dot, Martin
lost his cowl". It is the Italian equivalent of "For want of a nail the
shoe was lost", and it essentially means that you can lose something
very important for you (such as a job position, a career advancement, a
title, a honor...) because of a seemingly minor or irrelevant mistake.
The Italian proverb has its origins in the following story.

Around the year 1000 or so, a quiet and hard-working friar named
Placidus -- er, no, Martin :-)-- lived in a Benedictine monastery in a
small town in central Italy. One day he learnt a Latin motto:

**

*PORTA PATENS ESTO NULLI CLUDARIS HONESTO*

**

He liked this phrase so much that he wanted to use it as a welcome sign
over the front door of the monastery. He was a very good scribe and he
diligently wrote it in very ornamented characters. His problem was that
he had very little literacy. Because of this, he made a very minor
mistake in transcribing the phrase - which, however, caused a complete
alteration in the meaning of the phrase itself. The mistake was actually
so bad that when the prior saw the sign, with Martin's aberration in
full view, he did not hesitate in kicking him out of the monastery, thus
forcing him not only to give up his cowl, but also denying him any
further chances of getting priorship.

And now, the questions.

1.What is the /correct/**literal translation of the phrase into English,
in its intended meaning? (3 points)

2.What is the only other possible translation, grammatically correct but
stilistically and meaningfully /wrong/, of the phrase? (3 points)

3.What was Martin's mistake? (4 points)


Please send your answers to ugo.coppola@... and put "IPSE DIXIT" in
the subject line of your mail. *DO NOT *reply directly to this mail and
*DO NOT *post your answers either on the Nova Roma mailing list or on
the Forum Hospitium, otherwise you will be disqualified. You are, as
usual, warmly advised to use books for your research work rather than
the Internet, but of course I have no power or control over that. :-)

I am accepting answers from *anybody* - citizens, probies, guests,
passer-bys - and that, of course, includes all the members of my Cohors
�dilicia. The game shall be officially closed at 11:59 PM (Rome time) on
Sunday, April 14, 2013 (2766 A.U.C.) and the solutions shall be posted
on Monday. In the meantime, I invite you all, for the last time in the
current game, to read, research, translate, identify, explain... in a
nutshell, *HAVE FUN!!!

*/Optime valete omnes!/*
*Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�


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

Respectfully submitted;

Marcus Audens



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

Respectfully Submitted;

Marcus Audens



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

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus,et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

With this message, I would like to inform you that the Sixth Edition of
my Latin-language, cultural and historical quiz *Ipse Dixit *is
officially CLOSED. As my friend Petronius Dexter and his compatriots
would say, /les jeux sont faits/... the games are all done, and no more
replies are accepted. For all of you who missed it this time, I invite
you not to worry at all: there will be another edition later this year,
hopefully in September.

I would also like to express my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to
everyone who joined the game and sent me the answers to the various
item. It does not matter at all to me that someone sent answers to all
the questions of all the items, and that someone else just sent me the
answers to two or three items. What matters is that everyone who joined
the game did send some answers, and I am extremely grateful to them all
just because of that.

I will post the solutions to all the items and the questions, as well as
the final standings and the winners' names, later today.

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



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

Omnibus in Foro S. P. D.

Ludi Cereales

Ceres Mater,
Your gentle hands pour forth
The bountiful harvest giving
Life to your grateful children:

Ceres Mater,
You cherish and guard
All Plebeians, and we,
In deepest gratitude
Return to you fruits
Of your bounty, honeyed milk,
Cakes made of your grains,
And these Ludi, that they
May bring you delight,
Thus, now, do we honor you.

I, Gaia Maria Caeca, Plebeian Aedile in Nova Roma declare the Ludi Cereales
open, and invite all to enjoy and participate, but especially the Plebeians
here, as Ceres is, among many other wonderful things, your Patroness.

C. Maria Caeca, Aedilis Plebis

Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus et omnibus
hospitibus Nov� Rom� S.P.D.

Below are the solutions for all seven items of the Sixth Edition of my
Latin-language-based quiz *Ipse Dixit.

ITEM ONE: NON OLET
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90082)

1. It does not smell; it has no odor. Also found as "pecunia non olet" =
money does not smell.
2. Emperor Vespasianus.
3. Suetonius, /De vita C//�sarum.
/4. The Emperor had imposed a tax on urine; when his son Titus complaied
about the appropriateness of such a tax, Vespasianus responded by
showing him a coin and telling him that it did not smell of anything.
5. Money is money no matter its source.
*
**ITEM TWO: TIMEO DANAOS ET DONA FERENTES
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90083)

1. I fear the Greeks even when bringing gifts.
2. The Trojan priest Laocoon.
3. P. Vergilius Maro, Vergil, �neid, book II, line 49.
4. Do not trust your enemies; do not trust people bringing suspicious
gifts.

*ITEM THREE: COMES FACUNDUS IN VIA PRO VEHICULO EST
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90084)

1. A talkative/eloquent companion on the road is [as good] as a vehicle.
2. Publilius Syrus, /Sententi///�//.
3. When you have someone to talk to during a journey, the journey itself
is easier and faster.

*ITEM FOUR: SINE, EICIAM FESTUCAM DE OCULO TUO
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90091)

1. Let me/allow me to take the speck/mote out of your eye.
2. "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your
eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
3. Jesus.
4. Matthew, 7:4. A very similar quote is also in the Gospel of Luke.
5. Do not judge people too quickly.
6. The earliest example is Ph�drus: "Peras imposuit Iuppiter nobis duas"
- a fable about Jupiter giving us two bags, one full of other people's
faults which we carry in front of us, and one full of our own faults
which we carry on our back. Various other writers have expressed the
same idea (i.e. we see other people's faults but not our own) with other
words, all are acceptable.

*ITEM FIVE: ABSIT INVIDIA VERBO
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90094)

1. Let ill-will be absent from the word.
2. Titus Livius, Livy, /Ab Urbe condita, /IX, 19 and various other
occurrences.
3. No offence intended, no disrespect meant.

*ITEM SIX: DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM
*(For the original questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90097)

1. About the dead [say] nothing if not good [things].
2. The philosopher Chilon of Sparta, in Greek, as reported (always in
Greek) by Diogenes Laertius.
3. James Joyce, /Ulysses/, "Chapter Six, Hades" (/Ulysses /does not
carry numbers or titles in chapter headings). Leopold Bloom is
meditating about the recently deceased Paddy Dignam and his subconscious
distorts the phrase into /De mortuis nil nisi prius/ (About the dead
nothing if not before), implying the meaning of " How much time has to
pass before we can joke about the dead?".
4. Do not make bad comments about a dead person. Especially used in
reference to famous deaths.
*
ITEM SEVEN: PORTA PATENS ESTO NULLI CLUDARIS HONESTO and Martin's story
*(For the story and the associated questions please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/90098)

1. Putting a period or a comma after /esto/, the phrase, which by itself
is ambiguous, translates as: Gate, be open [or: let yourself stay open].
Do not close to honest [people] [or: Close to no honest people, /nulli
/implies a negative meaning.]
2. Putting a period or a comma after /nulli/, the phrase translates as:
Gate, be open to no one [or: do not be open to anyone - see above.]
Close to honest [people].
3. Martin inserted a punctuation sign (a dot, i.e. a period, according
to the proverb; it could also have been a comma) after /nulli/, creating
the second (and wrong) version above.
ITEM SIX: DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM

*FINAL STANDINGS**
*- Gaius Marcius Crispus, Aula Tullia Scolastica and Gaius Claudius
Quadratus have replied correctly to all the items, have the full score
of 70 points and are *the winners of the game*. Congratulations to all
three!
- Appius Claudius Iohannes, having replied correctly to two items but
incorrectly to the third, scores 24 points and places himself Second.
- Publius Sempronius Geminus, having replied correctly to two items,
scores 20 points and places himself Third.

I take my chance here to repeat my most humble and sincere thanks to all
the participants. To them and to anyone else who, for whatever reason,
was not able to join this time, I am sending a "see you soon" for my
next edition of *Ip**se Dixit*, the Seventh, which shall take place
later this year, hopefully in September.

/Optime valete omnes!/
Publius Ann�us Constantinus Placidus
�dilis Curulis Nov� Rom�


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

Omnibus in Foro S. P. D.

I extend my sympathy and my prayers to all effected by the current events in
Boston, MA. If any of our cives have been effected in any way, please let
us know if, and how, we can help. To honor the dead and wounded of this
tragedy, I will not be posting anything concerning the Ludi Cereales at this
time.

C. Maria Caeca, Aedilis Plebis et Sacerdos Vestae

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

Salvete omnes,

I too want to join Caeca with my prayers to all affected and their
families by this barbaric act in Boston.

Valete optime,
Crassus

Honored Pontifx Maximus


PD: I know your propension to joke with words. Here about Neanderthal and
the way used by plaintiffs abusing their powers. It seems to me, but you
may make me right if I am wrong, that Cincinnatus did not use all the
resources that those leges Saliciae gave him. Instead of following the process of
the 2 laws Saliciae, he preferred to leave Nova Roma. So, by his refusal to
be defended he condemned himself, or rather he permitted to his opponents
(actores) to abuse their power, under a pretence of justice!



QFM: It is as you say. You don't know. First Consul Moravius pushed
through a SC that basically stated that private lists that had importance to
NR became the property of the State.
Next, he had Caeso Fabius Buteo Modianus put forth a petion against L.
Equitius Cincinnatus for keeping Modanius off the Augur list which was against
this SC.
The petition was accepted even though it shouldn't have been, Yahoo TOS
guarantees privately owned lists freedom. Cincinnatus was under no
obligation to comply with Modanius no matter what the NR government demanded.

PD: The frame of those 2 leges is balanced and permitts at the end the
"provocatio ad populum". I do not accept to repeal them without nothing to
replace them. I think we have with these 2 leges a frame for acting in justice,
and a shield for citizens against, among others, magisterial abuse and
slander. And a clear process to follow.


QFM: Except that the trial was a forgone conclusion. Cincinnatus advocate
was not even allowed a witness list, and there would only be the good will
demonstrated if the accused showed up.
Since the Praetors had no way to compel the accused to show up, they fell
back on the old Table of XII to make up a ruling. That in itself was
illegul.

Obviously, if the 2 praetores are unfair, if they choose by a false sort
corrupted judges and make the judgement as their own, those laws may almost
be turned, but, even in this case, the provocatio ad populum may leave as
the ultimate protection.

I do not know the reasons of Cincinnatus to give up before the action, I
was not so involved into Nova Roma at this time. But leaving Nova Roma, he
permitted his enemies to use the right to condemn him by contumacy. To be
guilty by contumacy is punished by an exactio for a maximum period of one
year. According to the lex Salicia poenalis.

The law is not "bad" per se, but all is in the fashion to use it.


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

C. Aemilius Crassus omnibus SPD,

The following site has link to what seem to be interesting map projects:

http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-roman-empire-on-google-maps.html

Besides the ones mentioned in the above link and very similar in the
propose there is:

http://orbis.stanford.edu/

Valete optime,
Crassus

Omnibus in foro S. P. D.

Ceres is the goddess of abundance, and is most associated with grain.
Because of this, and because grain is the primary ingredient in bread, Ceres
was also associated with bounty and nourishment. She is an ancient Goddess,
though we have few, if any, myths about her until she became associated with
the Greek goddess Demeter. She also inherited Demeter's mythological
heritage, though many of her rites were based firmly in ancient Roman
religious practices.

Because Demeter was one of the Olympians, Ceres became one of the Dei
Consenti, and was considered sister of Venus and Vesta and daughter of
Saturn. She formed part of the Aventine Triad, and was the protector of all
agricultural pursuits, guardian of the fields and their boundaries, and
provider of bountiful harvests.

Less known, though, is her role as patroness of the Plebeians, and her role
as protector of the Tribunes of the Plebs. Any crime against one of them
was considered a crime against her. She also was the guardian of Rome's
written laws. Once a law had been written, it was taken to her temple, and
was under her protection, guarded by her priests, just as wills off
individuals were guarded by the Vestals.

In addition, Ceres guided women during the major passages of their lives,
from child to woman, from maiden to wife, and from wife to mother. When a
bride was taken from her home to that of her new husband, a young boy
carried a lit torch, which had been dedicated to Ceres. The most famous myth
concerning Ceres, of course, is the capture and return of her daughter,
Proserpina. It is so well known that I won't repeat, but it has provided
inspiration for major works in all the arts, and continues to do so. Here,
we truly see Ceres Mater, weeping for her lost child, and expending every
effort to find, and then return her.

So, let us celebrate Ceres by discussing her, with offerings of prose and
poetry, and with recipes. In fact, I call for recipes, especially bread
recipes. They can be ancient or modern, but the main ingredient should be
some form of grain flour.

Valete bene!
C. Maria Caeca

Greetings to all my fellow Nova Roma citizens!

Having just been granted full citizenship, I wish to introduce myself.

My name is Marcus Livius Salinator, in honor of one of our great heroes,
unfortunately too often forgotten. I live in Nova Caledonia, a small
island in the Pacific ocean, but was born in Gaul, and raised in
Australia. I have the ambition to develop the province in which I live,
(maybe with the help of the citizens from Australia and Nova
Zelandia???), so if any one from NC, OZ or NZ wants to join me in
reviving our province, I'd happily accept their help!

I am particularly interested in the Republic/Principate period, and am
in the process of writing a history of Rome, in the form of a fiction,
spanning 2000 years of history, over several books. Not an easy task, I
know...

I would also like to create some sort of a newsletter for members of the
Livia gens. Someone told me that reviving this noble name would take
some serious dedication (respects to you my mentor), and I intend to do
just that. We have a proud name, we should honor it by serving NR to the
best of our abilities.

On a personal level, I have three beautiful daughters, whom I hope, will
follow in my footsteps one day, and become NR citizens.

I am very excited to be given the opportunity to join and serve Nova
Roma, and will do everything I can to maintain our beautiful culture!

Vale Optime!

M. Livius Salinator

C. Maria Caeca M. Livio Salinatori S. P. D.



Welcome to Nova roma, Civis! I hope that you will find things of interest
and value here, and that your stay will be long and rewarding! Best of luck
with your writing project, it is Herculean!



Vale Bene!

C. Maria Caeca



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

Salve Salinator,

And be most welcome to Nova Roma, now as full citizen.

I too hope you find what you are looking for and will become an active
citizen of Nova Roma.

Vale optime,
Crassus

A. Iulius Paterculus M. Livio Salinatori s. p. d.
Welcome, and good luck with your efforts both public and private.
The NR Australia email list
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NR_Australia/) may a useful resource in
acheiving these goals. It seems fairly quiet, but it should at least
help you contact other citizens in your area.
Please write if there is any specific help you'd like either with
organizing your province or with your research.
Vale.

Salvete omnes!

I have created a new blog dedicated to the Livia gens. I shall post a new story every month, about a member of our illustrious family, or a related story. There is also a password protected page named "family news" where all members of our family will be able to talk to one another, and post announces.

http://liviagens.wordpress.com/

Please visit regularly, and, members of my dear family, do not hesitate to contact me to participate!

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator

Salvete Omnes!

I'm going to get into terrible trouble for this ...but I can run very fast
(for extremely short distances) and hide well, so I'll take the chance, LOL!
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to A. Tullia Scholastica! May
the cake be excellent and plentiful, and just in case she decided not to
indulge, I'll have some for her, with ice cream, because, well, that's what
friends do, right?

More seriously, Tullia, I wish you a year of all good things, and hope that
it's even better than this one has been, with plenty of students, satisfying
work, and some fun along the way.

Vale et valete bene!
C. Maria Caeca

Greetings to all citizens,

Despite my general declination to post in this forum, it seems the
best, if not the only, appropriate forum in which to lay the topic.

I am interested to know the thoughts citizens have on the role of the
College of Pontiffs. I am not so much asking what it is: inasmuch as
it is instituted by our constitution, the law provides some answer
there. I am asking more what it should be. As a prime example, some
might argue that it should serve to be an advisory body, composed of
those who are particularly knowledgeable on matters of religious -- in
particular, pontifical -- law and practises; as such, a body generally
to respond to the inquiries of the Senate (itself, in part, advisory to
the elected magistrates).

While I may likely not respond in this forum to your responses, in
advance I thank everyone who takes the time both to read this post and
to respond, and I shall answer all responses at least privately to the
respective respondant.

With thanks,

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Postumianus

--

In accordance with the edict governing posts in this forum
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/89259), especially its
Articles 5 and 6, I have tried to ensure that this post is entirely in
English, with the exception of the signing of the name of the poster,
which necessarily is in Latin, as the same edict requires.

Salvete omnes!

I wish to make myself available as a scribae to help any magistrate in need.

As a new citizen, I wish to make myself familiar with the functioning of
NR, so please let me know if you require help with anything.

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator

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

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

Salve Magistra et omnes,

Happy birthday Magistra!!

Vale et valete,
Crassus

M. Livius Salinator A. Tulliae Scholasticae S.P.D

Thank you for your very informative answer. I look forward to see the
election process in action, and if our elected leaders can deliver on
the expectations I feel most of us citizens have.

As for my skills, I am fluent in French and English. And I'm an
entrepreneur, so I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none. But
I'm eager to help and will do my utmost. So future elected magistrates,
think about me when you need help!

Vale!

M. Livius Salinator

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

Salvete omnes!
Today, 21 April, is traditionally the date on which Rome was founded.
Happy Birthday, Rome!
Valete omnes!Crispus


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

Salve Crispe et omnes,

Thank you and I would like to join you and wish all citizens a happy
foundation day and we all remember the reasons that have brought us to Nova
Roma started 2766 years ago on this day even if that reasons are different
we share the love and admiration for what was create at that day.

Valete optime,
Crassus
On Apr 21, 2013 7:29 AM, "GAIUS MARCIUS CRISPUS" <jbshr1pwa@... wrote:

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

Salve omnes!

I would like to join Crispus and Crassus in wishing a happy foundation
day to all fellow citizens, with a special thought for our American
friends: "this too shall pass"

On this celebration day, we remember we all are one, especially us
members of NR.

Salvete!

M. Livius Salinator

Salvete,

Raising a cup o' cheer to Roma on this very special day. Happy Birthday!

Valete bene,
Aeternia


On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 2:07 AM, M. Livius Salinator <
m.livius.salinator@...
--
"De mortuis nil nisi bonum"


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

May I also add my birthday wishes to this ggreat city.
C. Pompeius Marcellus, Lpp, AMS


On Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:29:23 -0000
"GAIUS MARCIUS CRISPUS" <jbshr1pwa@...

To: nova_roma_@yahoogroups.com
From: charlesaronowitz@...
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:09:29 +0000
Subject: [Nova_roma_] Rome's Birthday




























Salvete omnes in foro!

I had the pleasure of spending Rome's birthday in Rome, visiting many important sites.

The final stop of my walkathon was the Ara Pacis, where I recited the Res Gestae, which is carved in stone on the outside of the new museum building. And therein lies the beginning of a tale.

Not far into my reading, I came upon the word OENTVM, which was supposed to be CENTVM. I was mildly amused. Then came EXAGINTA, instead of SEXAGINTA. In my off-the-cuff read, I found seven carving errors. I'll go back with the text and proofread the carving. I should think that if millions are spent on a new building they would, at least, check the work product of the stone-carvers. This promises to be fun.

Valete!

C Claudius Quadratus




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

Roma frui alio C annos!
May Rome enjoy another 100 years!
Cum dilectione,
With love,
Tiberius Marcius Quadra


________________________________
From: James V Hooper <warrior44_us@... To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Happy Birthday to Rome



 
May I also add my birthday wishes to this ggreat city.
C. Pompeius Marcellus, Lpp, AMS

On Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:29:23 -0000
"GAIUS MARCIUS CRISPUS" <jbshr1pwa@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

C. Maria Caeca C. Claudio Quadrato S. P. D.



What a wonderful to celebrate the birthday of the Eternal City! I know that
the city itself has completely changed, as cities do, but I wonder if there
are moments when it's ancient ancestor is evoked, when a visitor who cares
about Roma Antiqua feels, if only for a few seconds, that he (or she) stands
not in modern Roma, but in *our* Roma. At any rate, I hope you thoroughly
enjoy your trip, that you take lots of pictures that you are willing to
share with us .and very good notes! We look forward to hearing about this
trip, in detail!



Oh .and may Roma continue to flourish Happy Birthday, Roma Eterna!



Vale et valete!

C. Maria Caeca



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Cn. Lentulus pontifex Quiritibus s. p. d.

Happy 2766th birthday to Rome and the Roman People! I have performed the Parilia ritual today for the well being of the Nova Roman Republic. The ritual that follows below is a ceremony that you can use today or in the following 9 days to honor the Parilia. I especially encourage our magistrates and priests to use this ritual:

Sacrificium Parilium


A main altar called ara is set up oriented towards East. Fire is lit on top of the altar.

A smaller fireplace or round shape, called foculus is placed to the right of the ara. This smaller fireplace is used during the praefatio.

The sacrifice consists of incense, libum, laurel leaves, milk, wine. 

The priest orders the people to make silence with the words “Favete linguis”. If flute players are available, they start to play at the sign of the sacrificer. During the ritual, the sacrificer can be helped by another officiant, who reads the words of the ritual and whispers the words to him.

The sacrificer covers his head with the toga (which is called “capite velato” or “Gabino Ritu”). The other officiants can optionally have their heads covered as well.

The sacrificer washes his hands.

"Favete linguis!"
 
I. Praefatio

Offer these sacrifices at the foculus.

Iane pater, 
te hoc ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precor, 
uti sies volens propitius 
populo Novo Romano.”

Incense sacrificed.
 
“Iuppiter, 
te hoc ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precor, 
uti sies volens propitius 
populo Novo Romano.”

Incense sacrificed.
 
Mars pater,
te hoc ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precor, 
uti sies volens propitius 
populo Novo Romano.”

Incense sacrificed.

“Quirine pater, 
te hoc ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precor, 
uti sies volens propitius 
populo Novo Romano.”

Incense sacrificed.

“Pales, 
te hoc ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precor, 
uti sies volens propitius vel propitia
populo Novo Romano.”

Incense sacrificed.

"Iane pater, 
uti te ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte hoc vino inferio esto."

Wine sacrificed.
 
“Iuppiter, 
uti te ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte hoc vino inferio esto."

Wine sacrificed.
 
“Mars pater, 
uti te ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte hoc vino inferio esto."

Wine sacrificed.
 
"Quirine pater,
uti te ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte hoc vino inferio esto."
 
Wine sacrificed.
 
“Pales, 
uti te ture ommovendo 
bonas preces precatus sum,
eiusdem rei ergo
macte hoc vino lacte mixto inferio esto."

Wine mixed with milk sacrificed.


II. Sacrificatio

Then, the main part of the sacrifice starts, which takes place at the main altar instead of the smaller foculus.

Precatio

"Pales, sive deus sive dea es, 
uti hodie Parilia sunt, 
quarumque rerum ergo quodque melius siet 
populo Novo Romano Quiritibus 
tibi libo, lacte, et laureo sacrum fiat: 
te quaeso precorque, 
uti imperium maiestatemque populi (Novi) Romani Quiritium 
semper auxis, 
utique semper Latinum nomen tueare,
incolumitatem sempiternamque victoriam valetudinemque 
populo Novo Romano Quiritibus tribuas, 
faveasque populo Novo Romano Quiritibus, 
legionibusque reconstructivis populi Novi Romani Quiritium, 
Remque Publicam populi Novi Romani Quiritium salvam serves, 
utique omnes qui se Romanos nominant in Nova Roma unifices,
utique sies volens propitius vel propitia 
populo Novo Romano Quiritibus,
utique huius sacrifici acceptor vel acceptrix sies
libi et lactis et laureis et turis libandi."

Sacrificium

"Harum rerum ergo 
macte hoc libo, hoc lacte, his laureis, hoc ture 
esto, fito volens propitius vel propitia 
populo Novo Romano Quiritibus."

Libum, milk, laurel leaves, incense are sacrificed.

"Ilicet!"

III. Profanatio

The profanation of the offerings follows. The sacrificer symbolically touches the fraction of the libum and milk that was not sacrificed and the participants eat the fraction of the meal that was not offered to the deity, which ends the sacrifice.


IV. Piaculum

Iane, Iuppiter, Mars pater, Quirine pater, Pales,
si quid vitii in hac caerimonia vobis displicuit,
hoc ture dato veniam peto,
et vitium meum expio.

Incense is sacrificed.

THE END


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

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A. Tullia Scholastica C. Mariae Caecae quiritibus lectoribus bonae
voluntatis S.P.D.

Because one good turn deserves another, and because we are in birthday
season, I would like to wish our poetically-gifted Vestalis, C. Maria Caeca,
a very happy birthday, and many more! May you and your poetry flourish, and
your devotion to Vesta be unflagging. Bonum faustum felicem natalem tibi
exopto!

Valete.


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

Salve Magistra et Caeca,

Happy birthday Caeca, and may you count much more and we be around to
celebrate them with you amica :)

It seems it continues to be celebration time.

Vale et valete,
Crassus

Salve Magistra et Salvete omnes!



Thank you most kindly for your good wishes, and while I can pretty much
assure your second, I can only hope that my poetry will flourish.
Meanwhile, it's back to my Rudimenta text for another reading of part III.



Vale et valete bene!

C. Maria Caeca



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

Salve Magistra et Salvete Omnes,

I guess one would say turn about is fair play *grins*..


Felicem Diem Natalem tibi to the Mistress of the Golden Quill!!

Seriously have a wonderful birthday Caeca filled with chocolate, loot, and
fun times..

Valete quam Optime,
Aeternia

Salve Aeternia!

Gratias tibi ago! Well, chocolate is abundant, as is caramel in the form of
the best ice cream I've ever tasted. For loot, substitute sleeping in,
starting a new blog, and a good book, which, come to think on it, isn't a
bad haul at all!

Vale bene!
C. Maria Caeca

Ave!

Happy Birthday Caeca... :) I hope you had lots of chocolate... :) And had
the very best of days!

Vale,

Sulla

Ave Consul!

I did indeed, Gratias tibi ago! (thanks very much!)

Vale, Caeca

Ave!

Awesome!!!! :) WHOOOOO!!!! Chocolate always makes a good day even better!
:)

Vale,

Sulla

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

Salvete omnes!

Pictures are in of the birthday celebrations held in the eternal city, and you can see them here:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312567/When-Rome-The-Eternal-City-takes-step-time-celebrates-2-766th-birthday.html

Enjoy the colourful spectacle!

Valete omnes!
Crispus

Salve Crispe,

Thank you very much for the link, great pictures.

Vale optime,
Crassus

Salvete omnes,

I would like to wish a good Saint George's day to all our England
citizens and members.

Valete optime,
Crassus

Salvete omnes!

Thank you, Crasse. Yes, indeed, we in Britannia will be celebrating our patron saint with suitable quantities of real ale!

And let us not forget that many countries around the world also celebrate Saint George on this day. So I send my warm greetings to all of them.

Valete omnes!
Crispus

Salvete omnes!



Happy St. George's day to all who celebrate it! BTW, isn't the Queen's
birthday sometime soon? At any rate, hope you all have a great day, and
emulate our own Crispus in his manner of celebration!



Valete bene!

C. Maria Caeca



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

Salvete omnes!

Yes, it was 21 April. I have to confess I did not notice it! That is her real birthday, when she was born, but there is an "official" one on whichever Saturday in June it isn't raining!

Valete omnes!
Crispus

Salve Crispe!



Thought so. Darn, I was born 7 minutes to share a birthday with Roma Eterna
*and* Elizabeth II! Not fair!



Vale bene!

C. Maria Caeca



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

Avete Governors,

This is primarily focused on the Governors of the US provinces, I would
like to request some kind of Skype chat over the next two weekends. Can
you please privately email me your availability so we can schedule a time
that is convenient for you.

Thank you for your time and participation in advance.

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
Consul


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

Salvete omnes!

I was having a look at the Bibliotheca page to find some texts I needed,
and noticed the JSTOR <http://www.novaroma.org/nr/JSTOR
Has the NR membership been abandoned? The page has not been edited since
2008...

Thank you

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator


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

Ave!

Nova Roma has never had a JSTOR account. During 2008-2010 Nova Roma has
gone through enough domestic disturbances that while it was probably the
one thing all of the factions agreed that it would be a good thing to have
the disturbances affected the organization's ability to focus and get such
a membership. Since that time, 2011 through the present Nova Roma right
now takes in enough funds to pay its existing bills. As Nova Roma rebuilds
and grows again this is something to look into but not at the present.

Right now, Nova Roma has 3 main objectives:

1 - Website migration to a less expensive hosting organization
2 - Reforming the Comitia
3 - Lowering the other expenses of the organization with the main goal of
lowering the tax rate.

Everyone wants the tax rate lowered. I have sought to make that happen by
the end of my time as Consul. It is possible by the end of the year once
the Finance Committee assesses Nova Roma's fiscal health we might be able
to see if there is demand to get JSTOR but keep the taxes near the amount
they are not. But right now we are not able to properly assess demand or
constraints on the fiscal side of the organization.

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
CFO and Consul


On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 4:57 PM, M. Livius Salinator <
m.livius.salinator@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Salvete omnes!

I would like to contact Tribune G. Tullius Valerianus Germanicus in
regards to the provincia Australia. I did try to send him an email
through the Album Civium, but it doesn't seem to be working. If you are
reading this, Tribune, please contact me! It's about reviving our
Republic down under...

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator

Ave!

The emails from the Album dont work at present, from my understanding.
They wont be working until the migration is complete. But, I know he is
on this list. And, I will CC: him so he will get this.

Respectfully,

Sulla


On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 5:15 PM, M. Livius Salinator <
m.livius.salinator@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Salvete omnes!

I would like to start a discussion about our elected officials and how they perform they duties. I know it will be subject to controversies, and I don't mean to imply that I am blaming anyone for not doing their duty.

I just want to know if you think there's any way we, as citizens, could review the actions of our elected officials after their term in office ends.

For example, we could ask the citizens of a provincia to review their governor according to objective criteria: have the numbers of citizens increased or decreased? Have any public event been organised? and so on...

Not an easy task, to be sure, but I think that it would be good for us and our Republic to be able to sort of rate our officials and make sure we have the best people at the right posts.

These reviews would only be used as a guide for citizens about to vote, and not a criterium to determine eligibility.

The subject is in the arena, please give me your opinion!

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator

Verellus (circa 100 A.D. – 170 A.D.) Letters and Essays
Letter II
Translated by J. Philips
For University Press (1903)

Very little is known today of the life of Marcus Trebatius Verullus, known historically as Verullus, as no records external to his writings exist. Estimates are he was born around 100 AD and died at some point during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and are based on internal references in his writings. He appears to have been of a moderately well to do family, most likely of the equestrian class. His writings, a packet of papers and letters apparently written and kept for private purposes, surfaced in the early 1500's and were bought by the noted humanist Gian Giorgio Trissino. Verullus maintained an interest in a wide variety of subjects, from art and architecture to the function and structure of government, but it is his philosophical treatises that have gained the most attention today. Unknown in his own time he appears to have written only for internal consumption and in exchange with a few close friends.

The letter reproduced below is one of the earliest known by Verullus, and consists of a lesson in dialogue form between himself and Archias, his Greek tutor, written at the instruction of his father. The simplistic dialogue concerns the nature of creation and the distinction between man made and natural creation, and reflects what may be the first example of Verullus writing on natural creation, a theme he was to return to later in life with increasing frequency and detail. Although the structure is simple and the dialogue basic it is considered an important work demonstrating the early influences that shaped his later philosophical essays.

To M. Trebatius Verullus circa 115 A.D.

It was with great joy I received your gift and letter. Trebatia and I send our devotion and offer prayers daily for a successful conclusion to your travels. Mother is writing you separately and both missives shall travel together

As instructed I will write somewhat concerning my tutor Archias and his manner of instruction. Although older Archias maintains a lively intellect and has a noble bearing and countenance. He has made a pleasant addition to our household and has a reserved manner, for a Greek, that speaks well of him and appears to have no immodest habits. He exhibits temperance in his drink and manner and modesty in his dress. His instruction is varied and consists of Greek, religion, oration, geography, astronomy, philosophy, geometry, law, and additional disciplines. He is well versed in many areas of discourse.

His manner of instruction consists mostly of dialogue as I understand is common among the Greeks. His questioning is sharp and he leads me to form my own conclusions instead of memorize his positions. I have included an example of a recent discussion, written from memory, concerning the nature of creation.

ARCHIAS: Today let us discuss the nature of creation. Are items created externally or are they self-created naturally?
VERULLUS: I am unsure of the distinction between created externally and self-created naturally. Each item is created according to its nature. Each item exists as it is.
ARCHIAS: So let us try to clarify this distinction. Are this table and chair created externally or were they created naturally?
VERULLUS: I am fairly certain they were created by a carpenter.
ARCHIAS: And this dish on the table?
VERULLUS: Surely it came from the hands of a potter.
ARCHIAS: And these cushions that provide comfort to us; did they create themselves?
VERULLUS: They were created by my mother and her women from the cloth they wove.
ARCHIAS: So in these instances can we not state that they were externally created in that they did not naturally occur in this form but required the application of some type of external change for them to assume this form?
VERULLUS: Yes we can state that.
ARCHIAS: So we can begin to define external creation as creation that requires the application of external change. When the potter seeks to commit the act of external creation, when he seeks to make a pot or dish, does he start with emptiness, or with matter?
VERULLUS: Surely he starts with clay, which is a type of matter. For if he started with emptiness he would end with emptiness.
ARCHIAS: And does he fashion this clay haphazardly, throwing it this way and that, or does he follow order and structure?
VERULLUS: He follows order and structure.
ARCHIAS: So could we not say that a potter is one who applies order and structure to clay?
VERULLUS: Yes we could say that.
ARCHIAS: And that a carpenter is one who applies order and structure to wood?
VERULLUS: Yes.
ARCHIAS: And that a weaver is one that applies order and structure to wool?
VERULLUS: If the former are true then surely this is as well.
ARCHIAS: But in each instance the raw materials, the clay and wood and wool, existed prior to the product they create?
VERULLUS: Yes surely this is true.
ARCHIAS: So could we also say that the act of creation, as it applies to external creation, is the introduction of order and structure to matter?
VERULLUS: Yes we could state that.
ARCHIAS: So now we can further define external creation as creation that requires the external application of order and structure to matter. But what of this fruit, so thoughtfully placed in the dish for our convenience and refreshment, is it not naturally created?
VERULLUS: It grew on trees in my father's orchard but was pruned and tended and picked and prepared by his slaves, watched over by the overseer and gardener.
ARCHIAS: So in each of these instances we see the hand of man in its preparation and delivery to us. Yet what of the wild trees, or the grass of the fields, or the birds that live in them, that no man touches, do they not create themselves?
VERULLUS: Yes, but do not the trees, or the grass of the fields, grow from seeds, and the birds from eggs. For isn't the bull born as surely as the sheep, for all the fierceness of the one and the meekness of the other. For each creature in the wild comes from a starter of some type. So although they grow and enlarge their condition the seed of that condition is present at their creation.
ARCHIAS: Yet does a bull give birth to a lamb, or does a fruit tree grow from a flax seed? Or does every living creature follow the natural order of its own kind?
VERULLUS: Each follows the natural order of its own kind.
ARCHIAS: So can we say there are an order and structure to living objects? And that every living creature follows that order and structure as it relates to its own kind?
VERULLUS: Yes we can say that insofar as each gros according to it's nature.
ARCHIAS: What of the elements of the earth? Do earth and air and water act according to their natures as well?
VERULLUS: Yes they do.
ARCHIAS: And do not their natures also follow a pattern of order and structure?
VERULLUS: Yes each acts according to the order and structure ascribed to them. The water does not run uphill nor does the air bring forth plants, but their conditions are fixed and they do not deviate from them.
ARCHIAS: And the sun, does it rise and set according to a pattern, or does it fly haphazardly across the sky?
VERULLUS: It follows a set pattern.
ARCHIAS: And the moon and stars? Does not each have their place in the night sky and follow the structure that has been assigned to them?
VERULLUS: As you have taught us each star follows its pattern and sets a fixed path across the sky. And the moon rises and sets according to its phase. Also the planets rise and set in their phase and follow the patterns prescribed to them.
ARCHIAS: So can we state that all creation, that we are aware of, follows an order and structure and that every element in earth and heaven acts according to its nature.
VERULLUS: Yes we could state that.
ARCHIAS: So that clay acts according to its nature and that its nature is composed of order and structure?
VERULLUS: Yes for if all elements act according to their nature then clay acts according to its nature.
ARCHIAS: So we can say that clay has an order and structure unique to its nature?
VERULLUS: If we say that each element in nature has a unique order and structure then surely clay must also have a unique order and structure.
ARCHIAS: And can we then go further and state that it is in the nature of clay to form as a dish?
VERULLUS: No, for we have stated that the potter applies order and structure to the clay to form the dish. It is not in the nature of the clay itself to form the dish, but it only has the potential to be formed into one. The clay, without the hand of man, would remain clay.

(End of part one)

Ave!

There are two posts I want to comment on...this one and the one Metellus
did.....this one is the shorter one so let me try to get this out of the
way first.

1st Nova Roma's website is Wiki based so in a way there is little to stop
anyone from editing profiles - though some profiles do have some
notifications and such - like mine, in case there are edits I get emailed
on them. So, there is at least that for leaving some feedback.

2nd A rating system for magistrates or just elected officials is not a
very simple thing to establish, as I noted to M. Livius privately when he
broached the subject with me. There are just too many variables for
consideration and the factors of measurement - such as poll based questions
are woefully inadequate. Not to mention that everyone probably has
different thresholds of standards. What might be sufficiently active for 1
individual might seem inadequate for another. Not to mention the good old
fashioned Q ratings that some of us get just because of who we are. Just
like the running motto on the back alley - everything is Sulla's fault.

When I decided to run for Consul I wanted to find a way to address some of
these concerns. I think its important that Nova Roma have some way to
determine the actions of past magistrates. I am sure many of
you, especially newer citizens - want to know why there are those specific
individuals in the Senate? Why those individuals and not others? The only
way I can reasonably get some of this accomplished is to actually list
one's achievements when they held office. No additional commentary (though
this would be good subjects for writing contests now that I am thinking
about it). This way newer citizens can get more background on the
accomplishments of magistrates both present/past and likely future in the
likelihood that one of those former magistrates might choose to run for
office in the future.

Nova Roma originally had annals being kept and in a way this is similiar,
but focused on individual action and individual achievement.

Would anyone be interested in helping me with this project? Is this a
worthwhile project? Questions - comments - criticisms?

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix


On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 9:15 PM, liviussalinator <
m.livius.salinator@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Salve Salinator,

I hope every citizen rate all magistrates and take notice of their
actions and fulfillment of their duties so they can weight that next
time that person presents itself for election.

On other hand if you are suggesting to have a review form to be sent to
all citizens I think it would be much harder and difficult to reach a
consensus on what should be on that form and I don't know if it would be
useful.

In ideal times and with the system working ideally every citizen that
wishes to serve the Res Publica would go through the Cursus Honorum,
maybe first as a scriba or a vigintisexviri and than gradually being
candidate to higher responsibility positions. In this way it would give
all other citizens the chance to review his/her competence and dedication.

With the short of hands we have at the moment it is more hard to follow
this path but it, in my opinion, we should try to follow the Cursus
Honorum as close as possible.

For my self, like when I left the office of Tribunus Plebis, I intend to
make a public statement when leaving the office of Praetor and that
would be a great time to any citizen also add their opinion of how they
think I performed my duties.

Vale optime,
Crassus

Cn. Iulius Caesar sal.

I can save time on this. Think beef. 

This is Nova Roma - a small community and very "political". An elected official is either a "prime rib" or a "scrag end" cut of political meat. Your friends (assuming you keep any once elected) think you are prime rib, your opponents automatically see you as the scraps on the floor. The citizens who don't know what the hell is going on in Nova Roma, or don't care enough to post, don't have a rating system as such. They are vegan and don't participate in the feast of the carnivores at election time. So that's it - top quality beef or tripe. There is your rating system. Done and dusted. Next idea?

The one thing all elected officials have in common is that the slaughter house of Nova Roman public opinion awaits. It can be all jolly good and bloody fun at election time here. A rating system supposes that the voting mass of the citizenry (or currently the small blob numerically speaking) performs an analytical assessment and executes the role of "floating voter", sagely deciding according to some criteria who to vote for. Yes, well not here in Nova Roma. Most citizens stay silent - not themselves wanting parts of their body severed and tossed around the arena in some post or another made in response to their opinions. 

Instead, enter stage left the slaughter house assistants, who armed with circus mirrors that twist and distort the reflection of the candidate all ways, proceed to utter fatuous statements, wild claims, and salacious fear mongering. Some candidates try to counter this but the "scrag end" rating is in effect so whatever they say is to no avail. Often a large verbal bun fight ensues, duels on the sand of the arena stain the surface red, corpses of the slain are hauled out with hooks and dumped on the refuse pile of public opinion, and maybe, just maybe before the first vote is counted someone will be left standing who is still vainly trying to be focused and dispassionate. generally speaking, they are among the first to fall on the sand and be hooked out. 

You see, its far too boring to concentrate on facts. Oh and for extra amusement, you also may get the odd "Devils Advocate" character making an appearance or two, and stating that he/she is only being a total arse for the sake of public debate and giving the candidates a hard time for the sake of "democracy" (well only the "scrag end" rated candidates in their eyes that they have issues with). It isn't that they are instinctively a total arse and can't help being compelled to commit the offence of being a buffoon in a public place, no of course not. Their "contributions" are all for the sake of the citizens and little children, don't ya know? On the other hand we can all sleep through elections. Total carnage or total snores. These are the two well established and demonstrated possible states at election times in Nova Roma.

I just loved this classic line "make sure we have the best people at the right posts".  Maybe we could start with having people actually fill the available posts before deciding whether they have failed or not. 

Why not also ask candidates to bend over and have the results of this "rating" branded on their backsides? Since many ex-elected officials have reported feeling as though their rectum got shafted with a red hot poker for their 12 months of "service", we may as well finish the job.  

Optime valete


________________________________
From: liviussalinator <m.livius.salinator@... To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 10:15 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review




Salvete omnes!

I would like to start a discussion about our elected officials and how they perform they duties. I know it will be subject to controversies, and I don't mean to imply that I am blaming anyone for not doing their duty.

I just want to know if you think there's any way we, as citizens, could review the actions of our elected officials after their term in office ends.

For example, we could ask the citizens of a provincia to review their governor according to objective criteria: have the numbers of citizens increased or decreased? Have any public event been organised? and so on...

Not an easy task, to be sure, but I think that it would be good for us and our Republic to be able to sort of rate our officials and make sure we have the best people at the right posts.

These reviews would only be used as a guide for citizens about to vote, and not a criterium to determine eligibility.

The subject is in the arena, please give me your opinion!

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator

Salve Omne,
 
Say what?
 
Vale,
 
Publius Quinctius Petrus Augustinus


________________________________
From: Gnaeus Iulius Caesar <gn_iulius_caesar@... To: "Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 11:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review


 

Cn. Iulius Caesar sal.

I can save time on this. Think beef. 

This is Nova Roma - a small community and very "political". An elected official is either a "prime rib" or a "scrag end" cut of political meat. Your friends (assuming you keep any once elected) think you are prime rib, your opponents automatically see you as the scraps on the floor. The citizens who don't know what the hell is going on in Nova Roma, or don't care enough to post, don't have a rating system as such. They are vegan and don't participate in the feast of the carnivores at election time. So that's it - top quality beef or tripe. There is your rating system. Done and dusted. Next idea?

The one thing all elected officials have in common is that the slaughter house of Nova Roman public opinion awaits. It can be all jolly good and bloody fun at election time here. A rating system supposes that the voting mass of the citizenry (or currently the small blob numerically speaking) performs an analytical assessment and executes the role of "floating voter", sagely deciding according to some criteria who to vote for. Yes, well not here in Nova Roma. Most citizens stay silent - not themselves wanting parts of their body severed and tossed around the arena in some post or another made in response to their opinions. 

Instead, enter stage left the slaughter house assistants, who armed with circus mirrors that twist and distort the reflection of the candidate all ways, proceed to utter fatuous statements, wild claims, and salacious fear mongering. Some candidates try to counter this but the "scrag end" rating is in effect so whatever they say is to no avail. Often a large verbal bun fight ensues, duels on the sand of the arena stain the surface red, corpses of the slain are hauled out with hooks and dumped on the refuse pile of public opinion, and maybe, just maybe before the first vote is counted someone will be left standing who is still vainly trying to be focused and dispassionate. generally speaking, they are among the first to fall on the sand and be hooked out. 

You see, its far too boring to concentrate on facts. Oh and for extra amusement, you also may get the odd "Devils Advocate" character making an appearance or two, and stating that he/she is only being a total arse for the sake of public debate and giving the candidates a hard time for the sake of "democracy" (well only the "scrag end" rated candidates in their eyes that they have issues with). It isn't that they are instinctively a total arse and can't help being compelled to commit the offence of being a buffoon in a public place, no of course not. Their "contributions" are all for the sake of the citizens and little children, don't ya know? On the other hand we can all sleep through elections. Total carnage or total snores. These are the two well established and demonstrated possible states at election times in Nova Roma.

I just loved this classic line "make sure we have the best people at the right posts".  Maybe we could start with having people actually fill the available posts before deciding whether they have failed or not. 

Why not also ask candidates to bend over and have the results of this "rating" branded on their backsides? Since many ex-elected officials have reported feeling as though their rectum got shafted with a red hot poker for their 12 months of "service", we may as well finish the job.  

Optime valete

________________________________
From: liviussalinator <mailto:m.livius.salinator%40gmail.com To: mailto:Nova-Roma%40yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 10:15 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review

Salvete omnes!

I would like to start a discussion about our elected officials and how they perform they duties. I know it will be subject to controversies, and I don't mean to imply that I am blaming anyone for not doing their duty.

I just want to know if you think there's any way we, as citizens, could review the actions of our elected officials after their term in office ends.

For example, we could ask the citizens of a provincia to review their governor according to objective criteria: have the numbers of citizens increased or decreased? Have any public event been organised? and so on...

Not an easy task, to be sure, but I think that it would be good for us and our Republic to be able to sort of rate our officials and make sure we have the best people at the right posts.

These reviews would only be used as a guide for citizens about to vote, and not a criterium to determine eligibility.

The subject is in the arena, please give me your opinion!

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator



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

Ave!

I know what Caesar meant. :)

What confused you from his response? Do you have a question to ask him?

Respectfully,

Sulla

Salve Sulla,
 
No.  I have no question.   I consider myself a reasonably intelligent soul.   I have one doctorate and after 40 years I am working on another graduate degree.   Nonetheless, I can make neither heads nor tails of his perambulations.   One must at least understand the gist of what is being said to compose a question.
 
Vale,
 
Petrus Augustinus 


________________________________
From: Robert Woolwine <robert.woolwine@... To: "Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review


Ave!

I know what Caesar meant. :)

What confused you from his response?  Do you have a question to ask him?

Respectfully,

Sulla

Ave,

Ok just making sure. My post wasn't a dig at your intelligence. I
certainly hope you did not take it as such. But my response was given from
one who understands what Caesar's post was about.

You can neither make heads or tails at his perambulations. That is a
fascinating and interesting statement. Understandable. But, I do think
that with your background and if you have interactions with elected civil
servants you might have an idea of his perambulations. Though I might be
mistaken.

Respectfully,

Sulla

Avete Omnes,

Earlier this week I have sought auspices to summon the Senate and the
Comitias.

I have also given the Senate a heads up that if everything goes according
to plan that the upcoming Senate call will happen in Mid May.

I want to give the same awareness and plan for the People of Nova Roma.

Please plan on May being a very busy month, both for the Senate and for the
People of Nova Roma. If everything goes as planned the People will be
summoned both for the Comitia Centuriata and once that is completed the
People will be immediately summoned for the Comitia Populi Tributa.

If I recall correctly this will be the first time in almost 3 years that
these bodies will be summoned for votes that are not for magisterial
elections, but instead for the purpose of revising the rules on how each of
the Comitia's are summoned.

This is very important, Nova Roma has for the past 3 years lived and
operated by the Senate passing Senatus Consulta Ultimum's (Emergency Decree
of the Senate) that has given magistrates the ability to summon the
Comitia's outside of the normal procedures, because the normal procedures
as they exist currently cannot legally occur. This, with your support will
change. When this happens, Nova Roma will not need to be governed under
the SCU's anymore.

This will be a great and wonderful day for Nova Roma! And, with your
assistance, your participation and your support you will help Nova Roma
achieve this glorious goal!

When the Comitias are summoned please voice your opinion, voice any
constructive criticism you have, and most importantly please turn out to
vote.

Respectfully,

Luicus Cornelius Sulla Felix
Consul


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

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

Ave,

This post was specifically giving everyone a heads up as to what will be happening in May (specifically mid to late May) - you, I assume are able to understand English sufficiently to discern my goal with my heads up post both here and in the senate, senator.

You do not set my agenda, senator. I set the agenda. The comitias and the senate will be summoned in may, as I stated. The people will be able to assess the proposed laws then.

Thank you for your concern and your continued ability to seem to think there is always something devious afoot.

There isn't, senator. I posted this status report as a awareness that may will be the busiest month so far this year and to make sure everyone is aware because their participation will be needed and is appreciated in advance.

Again, thank you for your concerns. They are, as usual, unfounded.

Vale,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
Consul

Sent from my iPhone

M. Livius Salinator Cn. Iulio Caesari S.P.D.

Nice to meet you, Censor!

Thank you for your very detailed description of our citizens. As the
guardian of public morality and honor, you seem to attribute very little
of these qualities to our fellow citizens. Not the best introduction of
our esteemed Republic for a new citizen as myself, but I understand that
it must be your frustration with the lack of involvement from some that
put those alarming words in your writing.

I also understand your mockery of my "classic line", as it must be
disappointing to invest so much time and effort in a cause in which you
truly believe (as I know for a fact that you do), and see that very few
people understand and respect that sacrifice.

I will ignore your visible despair in your fellow citizens, as I can
feel that your words come from past experience, and I'm sorry that you
feel this way. Know that all I'm doing here is merely trying to get a
feel for the health of our Republic.

Our Consul, L. Cornelius Sulla Felix, just announced that a new step in
the democratic process would soon be reviewed by the Senate and the
People of Nova Roma. What a fantastic opportunity to be able to witness
democracy at its purest form!

You understand that as a new citizen, not yet familiar with all the
names that are thrown around, I wish to know if there is a system - or
shall we call it a reputation - which I could use to judge the
candidates I am about to vote for. "What if there is nothing to clearly
indicate to voters who may know them by name, but haven't had the
opportunity to judge them face-to-face, that their platform is built on
sand?" Having yourself written this sentence in a very interesting
essay, I know that you share - or used to share, but I want to believe
that you haven't lost your faith - my wish for a stronger Respublica!

I have started this conversation on the advice of our esteemed Consul,
who - I know for a fact - has only the best interests of NR at heart,
and will support any constructive criticism and ideas.

It is my humble contribution to the construction of a better Republic,
one to which I know you will adhere.

Di vos incolumes custodiant, Censor!


M. Livius Salinator

C. Aemilius Crassus omnibus SPD,

I wanted from some time now to talk about the assemblies, Comitia, in
Roma Antiqua in part because it is a subject I find interesting and in
part because it is something new members often don’t know and have more
difficulty understand how the citizens participate in the electoral
process, being for electing magistrates or to approve, or not, law
proposals. Since it seems we in Nova Roma will be review some of our
laws concerning the several comitia I think is probably a good time to
do it.

I’m very far of being an expert on these matters and still have many
questions and doubts in many aspects but since I have served as
Diribitor, a magistrate that handles the counting of votes in Nova Roma,
I have tried to learn more about the comitia, how they work and more
importantly how the citizens were divided through the several electoral
units because only knowing that we can understand or have a better view
which parts of the Roman people gave support to that magistrate or to
that law. Please all of you feel free to add anything you think I’m
missing or to correct me if you find me in error.

The people of Rome when were called to elected new magistrates, approve
laws or decide judicial matters didn’t gave their decision individually,
i.e. one citizen one vote, but through electoral units that depending
the time frame and the comitia in question would vary not only in number
but on how they were composed and what they could pronounce about. For
example in a Comitia Tributa the citizens were divided by tribes, in
late republic there were 35 tribes, and each citizen vote inside his
tribe and then the tribe as all vote following the internal majority of
the votes. So a magistrate to be elected need to receive the votes of 18
tribes not mattering if that represented or not half of the voting
citizens. More the Romans never tried to hide this fact and since the
tribes voted sequentially and the votes were being counted at the same
time if all positions were filled the voting was ended and the remain
voters didn’t vote.

The eldest comitia, to the best of my knowledge, was the Comitia
Curiata, the one I know less about, existed from the monarchy times and
the people were divided in thirty curiae. People at this time were only
the Patricians and like the other comitia it couldn’t present new
resolutions and it isn’t clear if there was a discussion period before
the voting or if the comitia only vote the proposal(s) brought by the
presiding magistrate. This comitia approved the election of a new king,
chosen by the Senate, could approve laws brought to them, decided on
appeals on trial results that implied a death penalty, changing of
status of citizens from Patrician to Plebian (like the Clodius in the
times of Cicero) or vice versa.

Many of its functions were later on passed to the Comitia Centuriata but
it kept the duty to empowered the curules magistrates (Consules,
Praetores and Aediles Curulis) with imperium and the changing of
citizens ordo. Later on the Comitia Curiata was composed by thirty
lictores, one for each curia, instead of the Patricians divided in the
30 curiae.

I don’t know neither how the Patricians were divided in the curiae nor
how the comitia worked and I think in the Republic times had already
lost most of its importance and played a more ceremonial role.

Valete optime.

Ave Amice,

I have to be honest, this is the one Comitia I know the least about as
well. All I know is that we in the Comita is that we, upon being summoned
by the Pontifex Maximus, dispense Imperium to the newly elected
magistrates. I know this comitia had a role with adoptions and such, but
my knowledge is at best very general. If I had enough time in the year to
revisit the Gentes/Familiae structure it would be something I would need to
research more. But, I know that I do not have enough time with the other
areas of NR that I have to focus on, that that aspect of Nova Roma will be
untouched. I do hope that in the coming years that there could be a more
dispassionate review of the Gentes/Familiae structure and to find a way to
reform it to better serve Nova Roma's need because in the past it did serve
a great purpose and a further means of involvement with our citizens beyond
just being apart of the ML (or FH list). Building up
some comradeship within the Gentes (clans) is something that has totally
disappeared from Nova Roma (to Nova Roma's determent . And, within some
measured and reasoned manner the Gentes system should be resurrected.
Whoever works on such an endeavor would obviously need to work with the
Pontifex Maximus to utilize properly the Comitia Curiata as, to my
knowledge, it was utilized in ancient Rome.

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix




On Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 7:48 AM, C. Aemilius Crassus <
c.aemilius.crassus@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 4/26/2013 5:39:27 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
m.livius.salinator@... writes:

Our Consul, L. Cornelius Sulla Felix, just announced that a new step in
the democratic process would soon be reviewed by the Senate and the
People of Nova Roma. What a fantastic opportunity to be able to witness
democracy at its purest form!

Sigh. NR is not a democracy. It is a Republic. As such, it has
representatives who represent the will of People in the Government. The problem is
that many of the People's representation was not interested in the
Peoples' will but their own though-out history of the both Republics.

The Assemblies are the gathering of the People to express the direction of
the Government to the Senate and the Curule Magistrates.

Q. Fabius Maximus


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In a message dated 4/26/2013 7:48:45 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
c.aemilius.crassus@... writes:

C. Aemilius Crassus omnibus SPD,

I wanted from some time now to talk about the assemblies, Comitia, in
Roma Antiqua in part because it is a subject I find interesting and in
part because it is something new members often don’t know and have more
difficulty understand how the citizens participate in the electoral
process, being for electing magistrates or to approve, or not, law
proposals. Since it seems we in Nova Roma will be review some of our
laws concerning the several comitia I think is probably a good time to
do it.

I’m very far of being an expert on these matters and still have many
questions and doubts in many aspects but since I have served as
Diribitor, a magistrate that handles the counting of votes in Nova Roma,
I have tried to learn more about the comitia, how they work and more
importantly how the citizens were divided through the several electoral
units because only knowing that we can understand or have a better view
which parts of the Roman people gave support to that magistrate or to
that law. Please all of you feel free to add anything you think I’m
missing or to correct me if you find me in error.

The people of Rome when were called to elected new magistrates, approve
laws or decide judicial matters didn’t gave their decision individually,
i.e. one citizen one vote, but through electoral units that depending
the time frame and the comitia in question would vary not only in number
but on how they were composed and what they could pronounce about. For
example in a Comitia Tributa the citizens were divided by tribes, in
late republic there were 35 tribes, and each citizen vote inside his
tribe and then the tribe as all vote following the internal majority of
the votes. So a magistrate to be elected need to receive the votes of 18
tribes not mattering if that represented or not half of the voting
citizens. More the Romans never tried to hide this fact and since the
tribes voted sequentially and the votes were being counted at the same
time if all positions were filled the voting was ended and the remain
voters didn’t vote.

The eldest comitia, to the best of my knowledge, was the Comitia
Curiata, the one I know less about, existed from the monarchy times and
the people were divided in thirty curiae. People at this time were only
the Patricians and like the other comitia it couldn’t present new
resolutions and it isn’t clear if there was a discussion period before
the voting or if the comitia only vote the proposal(s) brought by the
presiding magistrate. This comitia approved the election of a new king,
chosen by the Senate, could approve laws brought to them, decided on
appeals on trial results that implied a death penalty, changing of
status of citizens from Patrician to Plebian (like the Clodius in the
times of Cicero) or vice versa.


"Roman Antiquities" tell us the Republic's male citizens could vote on
legislation and in the election of government officials. Voting was done in
popular assemblies, of which every citizen was a member, and was oral and
public until 139 BC, when apparently secret ballots were introduced. (We have
conflicting information.)

There were four outdoor assemblies. Three called comitia which referred to
meetings of all citizens —plebeians and patricians, the noun comitium in
latin - a place of assembly. These were the comitia curiata, comitia
centuriata and comitia tributa. The concilium plebis was for the plebeian class.

It is important to remember that these assemblies met only to vote.
Informal public discussions were held — contiones (sing. contio) — before a vote
was taken, which male citizens, women, slaves and foreigners could attend.
However no changes to the Lex was possible based on their input.
All Leges (sing, lex), were introduced by a magistrate to the Senate, and
was taken to the assemblies later. The Republic's senators therefore
controlled the legislation that eventually reached the assemblies.
Plebiscita (sing, plebiscitum) - Degrees of the Plebeians were laws voted
by the concilium plebis .
By the end of the Republic many citizens did not live at or near Rome and
so would have had difficulty exercising their right to vote. We read in Livy
where farmers would travel up to three days to attend comitia. According
to Pliny the comitia had lost their functions by the late 1st century AD.
Which would make sense since the Government was now the Principate.

THE COMITIA CURIATA
Dionysios says that originally the Roman people were divided into 30
curiae (wards), ten to each of the three original Latin tribes. They were the
basis of the political and military organization, and the people voted in
their own curiae. Little is known of this comitia from which the centuriate
assembly developed, and it had no legislative powers. By the late republic
the comita curiata met only for formal purposes, and conferred imperium on
consuls and praetors. We still maintain this tradition here at Nova Roma,
but curiae have been abolished.

COMITIA CENTURIATA
The assembly was drawn from the Etruscan overlords, it was tied to the
Estruscan/Roman military system of early Republic. The old Centuries of 100
men were broken up by monetary class in the Phalanx. Even though Livy
Histories says by the middle Republic these were ceremonial by the introduction
of the maniple and the age system, it still met in the Campus Martius
(Field of Mars) at Rome, as reference that it used to be a military assembly.
Voting centuries numbered 373 in all by Polybios' time, of which 18 were for
the Equites (Roman citizen cavalry). These centuries were based on men's
age and their property values, The poor had fewer votes, most of the power
was with the rich. The assembly could only be summoned by a curule magistrate
and decided about war and treaties and elected higher magistrates. It also
acted as a court of appeal against the death sentence in criminal cases.
In the Early Republic it was the main legislative and judicial body, but its
functions declined by the Late Republic.
.
COMITIA TRIBUTA
The assembly of the tribes (comitia tributa) met in the Forum (market
place) at Rome. The voters were divided into their 35 tribes. It could be
summoned by consuls, praetors or tribunes. It elected lesser magistrates and
acted as a court of appeal in cases not involving capital punishment. This
assembly was also a legislative.body and voted on bills put before it by the
presiding magistrate.

CONCILIUM PLEBIS
The Forum at Rome was the meeting place for this assembly, which was
restricted to plebeians and divided into their 35 tribes. It may have elected
tribunes and plebeian aediles. After 287 BC its plebiscita were binding on
all citizens.

To understand how Roman voting worked each elective unit, (centuries,
tribes,) had one vote. This vote was determined by the majority of votes
within the unit. Ties in the unit was determined by the Gods through lot. It is
also important to understand in the centuries that the first 180 centuries
determined the action or election. It did not matter the total votes
eventual were larger, the first 180 took it. The reason for this is obvious.
It allowed the rich and the famous families to maintain control, since the
rich centuries voted first.

Nova Roma uses service to Nova Roma to determine the leading centuries not
by monetary advantage.

Q. Fabius Maximus







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From: liviussalinator <m.livius.salinator@... To: Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 10:15 PM
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review
Salvete omnes!
I would like to start a discussion about our elected officials and how
they perform they duties. I know it will be subject to controversies, and I
don't mean to imply that I am blaming anyone for not doing their duty.
I just want to know if you think there's any way we, as citizens, could
review the actions of our elected officials after their term in office ends.
For example, we could ask the citizens of a provincia to review their
governor according to objective criteria: have the numbers of citizens
increased or decreased? Have any public event been organised? and so on...
Not an easy task, to be sure, but I think that it would be good for us and
our Republic to be able to sort of rate our officials and make sure we
have the best people at the right posts.
These reviews would only be used as a guide for citizens about to vote,
and not a criterium to determine eligibility.
The subject is in the arena, please give me your opinion!

Valete!

M. Livius Salinator


Well Livius my opinion as a political veteran 13 years 1999-2012, IT
DOESN'T MATTER!

1. Most candidates has not read our Constitution.
2. Most think this a role play. Then when they are elected and they have
to work, and I mean work, they either a. run away, or b. bitch and moan
and do a sub-standard job.
3. You need a high opinion of yourself to be a candidate. This will
stand you in good steed when the People insult you, your opponent slanders you,
you find there is no payment for your service and that when you are sleep
deprived at 2:00 AM, you realize what hell were you were thinking taking
this job.
4. The Roman governmental process is slow. Often then you are tempted to
cut corners and get something done quickly. Of course if you do, you are
breaking the Law and you could be prosecuted after your term is over.

In my opinion NRs serious problems with the election process, the upcoming
audit, and the server switch for 2013 caused people not to stand for
elections.

Q. Fabius Maximuis




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Ave!

You know...this brings up an excellent point.... :) Not many has actually
read the constitution. So, lets start posting pieces of it here on the ML
for discussion. And keep looping it every few months I dont think this
has been done before and we can have excellent productive discussions about
the constitution!

Yes there have been some who view it as a role playing game. I certainly
hope this year disabuses anyone who thinks of it as such. Given the amount
of work that has had to go in this year and we are only 25% done with the
year.

Everyone in Nova Roma has an ego to one degree or another. This is true
and no more truer of our magistrates. But also, if one runs for office
they should also have a manner of self sacrifice to devote time to an
organization instead of investing that time with friends, family or other
endeavors. I hope both goes hand in hand.

YES, the Roman process is SLOW all republics are incremental in nature. I
have been blessed to be consul at a time where the work done by my
predecessors have reached conclusion on some long term projects. Other
ventures have been addressed and resolved as well. This has been the
beginnings of, what I hope, will continue to be a productive year for Nova
Roma that will set its path on for future growth, development and
resurrection.

Please, Amice, be careful about throwing out the terms of breaking the law.


Yes, though I would hazard to guess the Audit was most intimidating for
anyone who considered running for consul. But now that most of those
issues are resolved we now replace them with new issues that must be
addressed! For our work is never done.

Respectfully,

Sulla

Avete Omnes,

I would appreciate if all of us read this and asked any questions that you
might have in regards to this vital and important document for our Society.


Please ask any question or voice any concern or criticism you might have.
Trust me, if you have a question At least 5 other individuals probably
have the same questions!

Our society only benefits from those folks who take an active interest and
involvement. And, as Consul, I believe it is important to help all
individuals learn more about how our society functions.

________

The constitution in its entirety can be found here:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Current_constitution_(Nova_Roma)

________

Here is Part I of the Constitution:

Preamble

We, the Senate and People of Nova Roma, as an independent and sovereign
nation, herewith set forth this Constitution as the foundation and
structure of our governing institutions and common society. We hereby
declare our Nation to stand as a beacon for those who would recreate the
best of ancient Rome. As a nation, Nova Roma shall be the temporal homeland
and worldly focus for the Religio Romana. The primary function of Nova Roma
shall be to promote the study and practice of pagan Roman civilization,
defined as the period from the founding of the City of Rome in 753 BCE to
the removal of the altar of Victory from the Senate in 394 CE and
encompassing such fields as religion, culture, politics, art, literature,
language, and philosophy.

As the spiritual heir to the ancient Roman Republic and Empire, Nova Roma
shall endeavor to exist, in all manners practical and acceptable, as the
modern restoration of the ancient Roman Republic. The culture, religion,
and society of Nova Roma shall be patterned upon those of ancient Rome.
I. Constitutional Basis*A*. This Constitution shall be the basic authority
for all decision-making within Nova Roma and shall limit the authority of
all magistrates and bodies, and all *leges* (laws) passed by the *comitia*,
*decreta* (decrees) of the priestly *collegia*, magisterial *edicta*(edicts)
and *Senatus consulta* shall be subject to it except as provided by the
following two provisos:*1*. The *edicta* (edicts) of a *dictator* appointed
under this Constitution may override its provisions, insofar as he is
empowered to do so by the *Senatus consultum* enabling his appointment;*2*.
This Constitution may be amended by a *Lex* passed by the *comitia
centuriata* and approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Senate.*3*. No one
shall suffer:*a*. a penalty for an action which was not subject to a
penalty when the action was performed. If an action was subject to a
penalty when the action was performed but is no longer subject to any
penalty, no penalty shall be applied for that action.*b*. a greater penalty
for an action than the penalty which was applicable when the action was
taken. If an action was subject to a penalty when the action was performed
but is now subject to a lesser penalty, the lesser penalty shall be
applicable for that action.*B*. Legal precedence. This Constitution shall
be the highest legal authority within Nova Roma, apart from edicts issued
by a legally appointed *dictator*. It shall thereafter be followed in legal
authority by *edicta* issued by consuls acting under the *Senatus consulta
ultima*, laws properly voted and passed by one of the *comitia*,
*decreta* passed
by the *collegium pontificum*, *decreta* passed by the *collegium augurum*,
*Senatus consulta*, and magisterial *edicta* (in order of descending
authority as described in section IV of this Constitution), in that order.
Should a lower authority conflict with a higher authority, the higher
authority shall take precedence. Should a law passed by one of the
*comitia* contradict
one passed by another or the same *comitia* without explicitly superseding
that law, the most recent law shall take precedence.*C*. This Constitution
shall serve as the bylaws for Nova Roma, a legally incorporated entity in
the state of Maine, USA (hereafter referred to as "the corporation"). The
conduct and procedures of the Board of Directors and the officers of the
corporation shall be according to the guidelines and strictures set forth
in this Constitution. The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be
composed of the Senate of Nova Roma (as described in Section V of this
Constitution), and the officers of the corporation shall be composed of the
magistrates of Nova Roma (as described in Section IV of this Constitution),
as follows:*1*. The co-presidents of the corporation shall be the consuls
of Nova Roma;*2*. The co-vice-presidents of the corporation shall be the
praetors of Nova Roma;*3*. The co-treasurers of the corporation shall be
the quaestors of Nova Roma;*4*. The co-secretaries of the corporation shall
be the censors of Nova Roma.*D*. This Constitution may be altered by law
passed by the *comitia centuriata*; such alterations to this Constitution
must be ratified by a vote of two-thirds of the entire Senate before they
shall take effect. The *edicta* of an appointed Dictator may also alter
this Constitution, subject to ratification by the Senate.*E*. The use of
male pronouns and technical terms within this Constitution is done solely
for clarity, and shall not be construed to imply any disparity between
genders before the law.


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

Salve

Stick around for a year or two. All will become blisteringly clear.

Vale bene
Caesar


________________________________
From: Scipio Second <scipiosecond@... To: "Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 2:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review



 
Salve Sulla,
 
No.  I have no question.   I consider myself a reasonably intelligent soul.   I have one doctorate and after 40 years I am working on another graduate degree.   Nonetheless, I can make neither heads nor tails of his perambulations.   One must at least understand the gist of what is being said to compose a question.
 
Vale,
 
Petrus Augustinus 


________________________________
From: Robert Woolwine <robert.woolwine@... To: "Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Nova-Roma] Elected officials review


Ave!

I know what Caesar meant. :)

What confused you from his response?  Do you have a question to ask him?

Respectfully,

Sulla

Laterensis Sullae omnibusque S.P.D.

The preamble and section I seem pretty straightforward to me.  I might not have a question just yet, but I do still have something to contribute.

Attached to this message (if it doesn't get lost in the void) is a PDF copy of the constitution that I put together shortly after gaining my citizenship.  I intended it as a quick reference copy to keep on my tablet for whenever it's inconvenient to look it up on the wiki.  The text is rather large for printing, but that's still a viable option too, if you prefer.  Hopefully, it'll prove useful for somebody.

Optime valete!

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android



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

Ave!

I do not see an attachment, but also we want to keep the discussion off the
FH list...at the request of the Praetor. So, if you can send me the
attachment privately I would like to see it.

I am glad this part of the Constitution is straight forward. I hope most
of it is fairly straight forward. However, one part I do want to discuss,
at least briefly, is to make it clear to everyone that Nova Roma is bound
by laws outside of our organization - this has been an issue in the past.

Respectfully,

Sulla

Avete Omnes,

Stu, an old citizen of Nova Roma, recently just got back from a trip to
Rome. During his visit there he took some very very interesting pictures.

I have 3 pics posted of the ruins of the Temple of Magna Mater. You know
considering how locked up these ruins are, it would have been very very
benefiical to see some photos like these at the time the Senate was
consdering AND authorizing the creation of the Magna Mater Fund. I also
have a pic of the Statement of Italy's Architectural and Artificats
Minister.

The pics are on my facebook page. Including a pic of the Senate House in
Rome. :)

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix


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

Salvete, omnibus in forum!

I do have a question about Section I of the Constitution. I.A.1 seems to allow for the appointment of a Dictator, and for that Dictator's edicts to be surpreme. Yet I.C does not mention a Dictator in terms of the corporate governence of Nova Roma.

How are these two things to be reconciled? I recall discussion of how the last attempt to appoint a Dictator crumbled when the legality of such appeared to conflict with macronational law. May we have a Dictator, or not?

Valete omnibus!

P Porcius Licinius

Ave,

A Dictator, at present, is not legal per Maine Regulations. This was why
the Coup attempt collapsed in 2010. Marinus, on his own dime, consulted an
attorney, since upon assuming the dictatorship, a number of us woiuld have
sued him personally - the moment he laid his hand on Nova Roma funds. His
attorney advised him that it was, if I recall correctly, how it was done
that made the matter illegal. But, I am sure Caesar or one of the other
Senators could correct me if I am incorrect. Even now, if Nova Roma
attempted to appoint a dictator through the procedure spelled out in the
Constitution, it would not be legal.

Nova Roma did have one dictator about 13 years ago. At the time Nova Roma
was no incorporated in Maine and at the time no one consulted an attorney.

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix


On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 9:08 AM, publius_porcius_licinus <
eljefe3126@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

C. Maria Caeca omnibus in foro S. P. D.

I was going to ask the same question as Licinius, but from a different
perspective. If either the appointment or powers of a dictator are illegal,
as we have learned that they are, should the Senate consider either removing
the office, or modifying it so that it is accord with Maine law? I'd rather
see the office revised to bring it into compliance, if possible, since this
was a feature of Roman Government, and used fairly extensively, long before
the end of the Republic. Certainly there are other far more important
issues with which the Senate must deal first, but, at some point, I think
this office should be examined and addressed.

Valete bene!
C. Maria Caeca

Salve Sulla consul,
 
I wonder if a couple of consuls may be legal under the Maine's law? What an attorney would say about? :o)
 
Optime vale.

C. Petronius Dexter
Arcoiali scribebat
a. d. V Kalendas Maias MMDCCLXVI  

________________________________
De : Robert Woolwine <robert.woolwine@... À : "Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com" <Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com Envoyé le : Samedi 27 avril 2013 18h20
Objet : Re: [Nova-Roma] Re: Introduction and Section I of the Constitution of Nova Roma


Ave,

A Dictator, at present, is not legal per Maine Regulations.  This was why
the Coup attempt collapsed in 2010.  Marinus, on his own dime, consulted an
attorney, since upon assuming the dictatorship, a number of us woiuld have
sued him personally - the moment he laid his hand on Nova Roma funds.  His
attorney advised him that it was, if I recall correctly, how it was done
that made the matter illegal.  But, I am sure Caesar or one of the other
Senators could correct me if I am incorrect.  Even now, if Nova Roma
attempted to appoint a dictator through the procedure spelled out in the
Constitution, it would not be legal.

Nova Roma did have one dictator about 13 years ago.  At the time Nova Roma
was no incorporated in Maine and at the time no one consulted an attorney.

Respectfully,

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix


On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 9:08 AM, publius_porcius_licinus <
eljefe3126@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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