APRIL 10 th :
Ludi Circenses (finals) Magna Mater Project Certamen Historicum 7 Certamen Latinum 7
___________________________________
LUDI CIRCENSES ( finals ) :
Presented by : Aula Tullia Scholastica
Caius Curius Saturninus - races calculations.
The track attendants have cleared the
wreckage of the ill-fated Ars Longa, and Petronius Gnipho has taken the horses
to a stablehand so they can
be brought to the team veterinarian for an extensive checkup. The crowd is
stirring; some head for the latrines, others for the thermopolia and
caupones (concession stands; food court). The next race will be the last,
the final and deciding dash of this exciting day.
The sun is westering now, and the breeze has picked up in the warm afternoon
sun. Once again, the drivers and attendants are checking
everything out: the chariots, the harnesses, the horses...Did Velociraptor
really survive that extraordinary maneuver in tip-top condition? What
about
the horses? And has Latina Harmonia calmed down from her near-disaster?
She's tucking some mappae fresh from the fuller's in among the remaining
flowers...and, oh, dear! It seems that some of those Corinthian perfume
bottles have broken...what a terrible waste of money! Well, perhaps she'll
be able to mop it up with some of those mappae, and have some nice scented
hankies at least...and they'll small a LOT better than her sweaty tunica at
the end of the races today.
The mood is improving even in the pulvinar. The Vestales are on edge,
chatting with one another as they nervously await the outcome of this final
race. Maximus has sent a message to Messallina, saying that everything
appears to be in order, and young Crassus has done the same with regard to a
certain aedilis curulis.
The trumpets sound a warning; the spectators surge toward their places in no
great order. Once again, the chariots emerge from the Porta Pompae,
and make their way to the carceres. The Love Chariot alone now
carries Albata's hopes; Aprilis, Russata's; Velociraptor, Praesina's, and
Windchaser, Veneta's. The drivers draw their lots, and take their places--Windchaser
once again in Virgo, Aprilis in Gemini, the Love Chariot
in Capricorn, and Velociraptor in Taurus.
The crowd is still too restive for consular taste, and Consul Modianus bids the
trumpeters to signal the start of the proceedings. He waves the
mappa...at last silence descends as all eyes are fixed on him and that white
cloth...mappa manu consulis decidit; the mappa falls from the consul's
hand..missi sunt currus! They're off!
Spandex in Velociraptor is on the inside, careening at a breakneck pace.
Whatever could he be thinking, driving his horses so hard this early in a
race? Could he be trying to wear out his adversaries? Young Crassus
takes the bait, and lashes his horses to keep up. Latina and Maximus both
smell a
rat, but don't want to get too far behind; they pick up their pace, but are by
no means flying down the track. Around the spina they rush, Velociraptor
coming so close that its wheel sets off sparks. Crassus follows closely,
but may be easing off a bit--or are his horses tiring? Latina and Maximus
continue to canter, exchanging third and fourth places with each other.
The dolphin is turned, and they head into the second lap. Crassus is
dropping
farther back as Velociraptor and Spandex continue their mad dash, taking the
turns with one wheel in the air--even though the other chariots are far
behind. Well, if Spandex thought he could lure the other experienced
drivers into wearing their horses out prematurely, he seems to have
miscalculated. Even Crassus seems to have seen this little trick for what
it was. Realizing that his stratagem wasn't producing the desired effect,
Spandex reins the Sarmatians in a bit as they come into the fourth lap.
Conversely, Latina in the Love Chariot and Maximus in Windchaser increase
their speed. Soon the Vestal's chariot, flying down the straightaway,
overtakes the Love Chariot and young Crassus in turn. In no time it will
pass Velociraptor at this clip...they round the turn, ever closing...and
Windchaser is now in the lead. Naturally, the others don't care for this
turn of events. Spandex, however, is still biding his time a bit...but
Latina isn't interested in playing second, third, or fourth fiddle any more.
She pulls ahead of Velociraptor, bending to retrieve one of her mappae, one well
soaked in pricey perfume. She lets it drop on the track, but if she
thought that Spandex would fall for that subterfuge, she was sadly mistaken (did
she think for even a moment that a barbarian was such a gentleman that
he would retrieve her handkerchief)? Now they're rounding the turn.
Velociraptor takes it tighter than ever; his wheel is up on the base of the
spina. Latina bends for another mappa--and suffers a Wardrobe Malfunction
as she gets back up. Her gauzy tunica has torn, caught on the chariot
rail,
leaving her looking like a Minoan priestess. Well, rest assured that
neither this unexpected display of her bared bosom nor a dropped napkin
would entice young Crassus in the least, but Spandex can't take his eyes off her
chest. Strange feelings wash over him, and he wishes that he had girt
his loins and taken that special salt medication his doctor recommended.
Velociraptor's reinforced frame is no match for the spina as it hits it with
a sickening crash. The attendants wait for Aprilis to pass before carrying
the unconscious Spandex off the track (lucky he didn't get killed or
injured; the heavy chariot DID protect him), but the horses may not have been so
fortunate. The left funalis is limping...the attendants get them
off the track, and clear some of the debris before the dolphin is turned for the
fifth lap. Praesina is out of this race; it's down to the red, white, and
blue.
Latina has given up working her womanly wiles on Crassus, but the idea has
entered her head that she might be able to produce a similar effect on
Maximus at the potential cost of some sunburn in a delicate place. Rather
than try to knot her tunica together, she'll stay as she is. She tries to
pull ahead of Maximus and catch his eye, but he merely glances disinterestedly.
His focus is on the race--and he DID take that special
medicine. He's picking up speed as the race nears its conclusion; the
dolphin for the sixth lap had been turned some time ago. Young Crassus'
horses seem to be tiring; he fell for Velociraptor's trick and they peaked too
soon. Well, next time he'll know better. He's now in third place,
but
another day, he may be first! Latina Harmonia, too, has lost some time
while distracting Spandex from the business at hand, and is falling farther
behind Windchaser as it takes the turn into the seventh and final lap. No
need for it to take any chances or wear the horses out; the Vestal's chariot
is far ahead of the others as they head for the finish line. The Vestales
explode in glee, smiling and laughing as Windchaser takes the winner's lap
and come to the pulvinar to receive the palm from Consul Modianus. Cheers
erupt from Veneta partisans everywhere in the Circus, while there's not a
little grumbling from among the partisans of other factions. The Praesina
fans in particular are by no means pleased that Spandex fell for such a
meretricious trick and caused their expensive chariot to be reduced to kindling
wood. Censor Marinus, however, is letting a satisfied smile play
about his lips, for turnabout is fair play.
Meanwhile, Spandex has been revived, only slightly the worse for wear. He has,
however, earned the displeasure of his owner, C. Aurelia Falco
Silvana, and will be taking a cut in both pay and rations for the foreseeable
future. Russata partisans can excuse such a young lad as
Crassus for taking Velociraptor's bait; he'll know better next time--and they,
too, secretly (even openly) rejoice at the destruction of Velociraptor.
The sun is setting; the crowds disperse. Joy will reign in the Aedes
Vestae for a long time to come, celebrating Sacerdos Vestalis' Maxima
Valeria Messallina's Windchaser's taking the palm today. Messallina plays
her cithara as they walk joyfully to their sacred home...
_________________________
MAGNA MATER PROJECT ( quarterly report ) :
Presented by : Pompeia Minucia Tiberia & Titus Iulius Sabinus
"Who is the Mother of the Gods?
She is the source of the intellectual and creative Gods, who in their turn
guide the Visible
Gods; she is both the Mother and the Spouse of Mighty Zeus; she came into being
next and together with the Great Creator; she is in
control of every form of life and the course of all generations; she easily
brings to perfection all things that are made; without pain
she brings to birth; She is the Motherless Maiden, enthroned at the very side of
Zeus, and in very truth is the Mother of All the Gods....."
- Emperor Julian II 'The Blessed' , from an Oration to Cybele composed at
Pessinus MCXVI A.V.C.
I. General consideration.
Last year it was an important year for the Magna Mater Project. It was the
year when the Official Magna Mater website it was presented.
It is available at the following internet adress :
http://www.magnamaterproject.org/en/home.php
There are all the necessary dates about the Project, initiated in 2002 by Caeso
Fabius Buteo Quintilianus and his Cohors and
continuated with great results by the next Aediles and Aedilicia Cohors of
Franciscus Apulus Caesar, Marcus Iulius Perusianus and
Lucius Iulius Sulla.
As a Project Coordinator for this year my first goal it was to establish a line
for the Project development. For that, first, I
created the necessary structures : my Cohors and Magna Mater Collegium with
specific duties.
The members are listed in the next webpages :
http://www.crystalwebvision.com/aedil/aediles.htm
http://www.crystalwebvision.com/aedil/magnamater.htm
Of course, because I and my co-aedile Equitius Cato, in the election time,
formed a team, the both Cohors are involved in different
aspects of the Project.
Second, I decided to start a campaign for the Magna Mater website promotion. In
the first quarter of the year inside our organization
and next outside of Nova Roma .
This campaign is in correlation with the fundraising campaign, a continous
objectiv for me, my Cohors and Collegium.
II. Magna Mater Project promotion.
The promotion of the Magna Mater Project and official website it was for me the
next logically step after the website it was presented on line.
With the help of the dedicated members of both Aediles Cohors a draft page for
promotion it was realized.
http://www.dacia-novaroma.org/draft.htm
My special thanks to the following citizens involved in this job :
Aulla Tullia Scholastica - text editor.
Tita Artoria Marcella - text editor.
Iulia Iulia Caesaris Cytheris Aege - text editor.
Gnaeus Equitius Marinus - text editor.
Gnaeus Iulius Caesar - web responsabilities
I started the promotion campaign in a lot of our organization structures, from
the provincials ones to the central administration
and directly to the Nova Roma members. Is difficult to keep an evidence of those
who was receptive and help
us with the promotion. But I want to present some of they :
- NR website - with the amability of Valerius Callidus and Equitius Marinus.
- Academia Thule - with the amability of Caius Saturninus.
- Archaeology Blog - with the amability of Apollonius Scipio.
- Gallia - with the amability of Apollonius Scipio.
- Canada Occidentalis - with the amability of Suetonius Paulinus and Vipsanius
Agrippa.
- Italia - with the amability of Franciscus Caesar.
- Dacia - my job.
- Gens Iulia - with the amability of Iulia Caesaris.
- Gens Minucia - with the amability of Minucia Marcella.
- Pannonia ML - with the amability of Cornelius Lentulus.
- Mexic ML - with the amability of Iulius Severus.
- Germania - with the amability of Flavius Conservatus.
- Egressus - with the amability of Gn. Iulius Caesar.
- Go Roman - with the amability of Gn. Iulius Caesar.
- Mediatlantica - with the amability of Gn. Equitius Marinus.
- Canada Orientalis - with the amability of Pompeia Minucia Strabo.
My special thanks to Appolonius Scipio and Memmius Albucius and Provincia Gallia
with all, for the promotion promptitude. They was the first.
The promotion will represent a continuous objectiv for me, my Cohors and Magna
Mater Collegium in the next time.
III. Magna Mater Fundraising campaign.
How I said the Project promotion is in correlation with the fundraising
campaign.
The balance at the end of the year 2758 a.U.c, reported by the hon. Iulius
Sulla's Quaestor, Lucius Rutilius Minervalis, it was at
2759.25 USD and 611.89 Euros.At the end of March, 2759 a.U.c, the Project fund
balance it was at
3616.75 USD and 576.3 Euros, reported by the hon. Quaestor Marcus Iulius
Perusianus.
From the begining of the year, the level of the fund development is up to 30%, a
good procent in my opinion.
That it was possible with our citizens dedication.
We, the Magnae Matris Collegium, the Aedilicia Cohors and the Aediles, want to
thank you for making this possible. It is a
testament to your dedication to the ongoing development of the Magna Mater
Project.
This year investors are :
- G. Iulius Verus.
- A. Tullius Marcellus Cato.
- T. Galerius Paulinus.
- A. Minucia Marcella.
- S. Ullerius Venator.
- M. Iunius Iulianus.
- Edward LeBlanc.
Franciscus Apulus Caesar will upload the Magna Mater website, investors section,
with the name and the donations of this
honourable citizens.
http://www.magnamaterproject.org/en/project/investors.htm
In the next time a fundraising campaign will start. I want to present here the
Consul Pompeia Minucia Strabo's words, the
Fundraising Assistant of the Magna Mater Collegium :
"A fundraising campaign for the Magna Mater Project is being planned for later
on in the year. Details of this will be initially
advertised the latter part of August and the campaign will carry through until
the end of the Ludi Romani. These games are scheduled Sept 6 -20.
This will give citizens enough time to recover fiscal losses caused by
those pesky, persistent, open-handed 'gimme gimme' Tax Publicani
(not that *I* would know anything about *thaa-aat* ...Po covers eyes and
mouth...cough, cough).
This timing may also provide a sufficient period of grace for those weathering
somewhat larger financial losses by imprudent and
overzealous entries in the Ludi Megalesia ...Ahhhhhhhhh wellllllllll.........
as they say..."Better luck next time!"....
Ahh,that is...... if you can afford a *next time*!
We of the Magna Mater Cohorte, under the leadership Titus Iulius Sabinus
Curule Aedile, very much appreciate the financial
benefactors of the Magna Mater Project. Without your help many of our
plans would always remain just that ....'plans' . "
To support the Project, please visit this page :
http://www.magnamaterproject.org/en/project/support.htm
III. Magna Mater promotionals.
In the second quarter of this year, a part of the Magna Mater promotionals
will be created. My attention is to this section from
the general plan :
" Material to Promote the Project :
....leaflets
....publications
....business cards
....DVD ".
With all of these promotionals we will be able to promote our activity. A
part of the promotionals will be distributed to the Nova
Roma Conventus, another part to some provincial administrations and to anothers
religious events in autumn ( how the Consul Modianus'
organized
event is at Elyseum )
The producer is Caius Curius Saturninus, based by his great experience (
see the calendar ):
http://www.insulaumbra.com/calendar/
With that ocassion I want to thanks to Curius Saturninus for his dedication. A
part from his calendars profit will be redirected to
the Magna Mater Project.
But is better to listen his own words :
"This Spring we are producing first promotional materials for the project,
namely the business cards and some leaflets. These will add
flair of professionality to the promotion of the project. Later in this year we
are going to finalize the DVD with interviews about the
project, and this DVD too can be used as promotional material for the most
important collaborators of ours, but it will be mainly sold
to the general audience as a way of fundraising."
IV. The Magna Mater research section.
Is a new section of the report, divided in two under-sections.
1.The Marcus Moravius Horatius Piscinus researches to the Magna Mater latin
inscriptions around the world.
2.The Cohors Sabina researches to complete with images and links this page of
the official website :
http://www.magnamaterproject.org/en/ancientworld.htm
The Cohors Sabina researches will start in May. Until then this is a summary
report of Marcus Moravius Horatianus
Piscinus.
The honourable members of his team are T. Artoria Marcella and M. Sempronia
Iustina. I urge with this ocassion more citizens to
participate to this wonderful and great project of Moravius Horatianus Piscinus
( esspecially the new ones ).
The interested ones can send a private mail to me or to the Illustrus Tribune,
Horatianus Piscinus.
"I have gone through approximately 60,000 inscriptions covering all of the
provinces except those in Greece and in Italia. Italia alone
has another 75,310 inscriptions, and with time constraints I'll have to exclude
Italia and concentrate on the frontiers. Thus far I have
gathered about 150 inscriptions from the various provinces that relate to the
Magna Mater or that mention one of the sodalitates of
dendrophores and the like. An example article was written for provincia
Britannia. An article is completed for Moesia superior and
Moesia inferior, and I have started (three times) an article for provincia
Dacia.
There were two culti Magnae Matri, which I think we can demonstrate to a
degree from the inscriptions in certain provinciae. She is
most prominent in North Africa and in southern Gallia, but at only certain
locations. Comparing Her appearance in the inscriptions to
other deities, She is rather negligible; less than 1% in most provinces. But in
North Africa 6%, Aquitania 5%, then at Narbo She
appears 38% of the time that deities are mentioned, and at Lactora 90%
with only Jupiter O. M. otherwise mentioned.
See also the Marcus Moravius Horatianus message from Forum :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nova-Roma/message/41574
V. Frequently Asked Questions.
For the new citizens I want to add to this bulletin the Iulius Perusianus FAQ,
presented by Pompeia Minucia Strabo :
"We publish this list of questions and answers periodically for the benefit of
those not familiar with the project or its goals. We
hope this is helpful to those new to Nova Roma.
Credit to F. Apulus Caesar Consul, F. Galerius Tiberius Aurelianus Flamen
Cerealis, and Marcus Iulius Perusianus, Praetor 2758 Curulis
Aedilis 2757, for the information in this section.
???COULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME THE PURPOSE OF THE MAGNA MATER PROJECT???
The ultimate goal is the restoration of the temple, but this is honestly very
long term, especially when one takes into account our
current financial situation. But even having money, there are several other
small, but necessary
steps which are already under development to 'restore' the temple, in a wider
significance of the meaning. To restore it also means
to 'valorize' the sancturary, its historical and archaeological aspects,
the significance of the cult of the Magna Mater. Put another way, 'enhancing'
would be
perhaps a better term for these first steps of the Project. Periodically, a
bulletin such as this report is published to keep the citizenry appraised of
project developments.
????HOW ARE DONATIONS FROM NOVA ROMA UTILIZED IN THE MAGNA MATER
PROJECT???
Consider this list of things to do in the near future (as part of the MM
project):
i. official website
ii. material to promote this project (leaflets publications, DVD with
topographical introduction to the location, archaeological remains and
evidences, history of the Sanctuary of the Cult of Cybele in Rome
iii. a six-month scholarship for a student of the University of Rome
iv. multimedia CD Rom (See section II of this bulletin to review details.)
???WHAT IS THE RETURN ON THIS INVESTMENT? WHY IS THE MAGNA MATER PROJECT
SO IMPORTANT???
It is important because it permits NR to spread its name into the academic
world, and provides the mechanism by which we may be
entitled to manage Roman monuments. It's an opportunity to make our name known
in the macronational, physical world, after having done
so much in the virtual, electronic world.
WILL NOVA ROMA EVER BE ALLOWED TO HOLD RITUAL THERE TO MAGNA MATER???
...Marcus Iulius Perusianus answers…
A certain number of NR citizens were able to visit the proximity of the
temple this past April, courtesy of a special pass by the
Soprintendenza Archeologica di Roma (the entire south-west side of the Palatine,
the Germalus, has been closed for the past 5-7
years). We were accompanied by a guardian for almost the entire visit, and at
our tour of the house of Augustus, I guess a very
simple rite could have been held. I believe that a longer than 5 minute
ceremony, with an attendance of more than 10-15 people, would
hardly be tolerated. I am not talking about 'religious' intolerance; it is just
a question of security. Soprintendenza is
working in the Germalus areas, and it is not easy to attain permission to
enter. Honestly, I think to have a ritual there is
currently quite impossible. Mind you, I am only speaking of what I
foresee during my Aedileship.
???WHAT HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE DO THE TREES CURRENTLY GROWING ON TOP OF THE MM
SANCTUARY HOLD? WHY ARE THEY MORE HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT THAN THE
RESTORATION
OF ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT TEMPLE SITES OF ROME???
…Marcus Iulius Perusianus answers…
I have asked this of the manager of the Palatine ruins. Currently, it is deemed
a useless effort to cut these environmentally and
historically protected trees, as the only part of the structure remaining is the
basement of the temple (not considering the short
remains of a couple of columns). We won't have a better view of the bricks with
the presence of these trees, which have been there for
some centuries. The general guidelines of the Soprintendenza Archeologica di
Roma is to maintain the monuments as they are,
unless there is original material of the structure to position in their
respective places. And, even when these materials are found,
it takes a lot of time to study exactly where they fit. It is a matter of
academic official opinion that not a single reconstruction
effort can be made without appropriate archaeological evidence to support such
action.
I want to thank you for patience, cives Novi Romani.
I want to thanks to all the investors for their wonderful support in the name of
the Curule Aediles, both Cohors and Magna Mater Collegium.
http://www.crystalwebvision.com/aedil/aediles.htm
http://www.crystalwebvision.com/aedil/magnamater.htm
_____________________________________
CERTAMEN HISTORICUM 7 :
Presented by : Tita Artoria Marcella.
1. Questions :
Question #13:
During the First Punic War, Carthage's once mighty naval fleet began to lose
battles to the newly minted Roman navy. During the Second Punic War, Hannibal
was resigned to fight his campaign on land, unwilling to engage the superior
Roman fleet. (3 pts.)
a) What new ship design, introduced during the First Punic War, enabled
Rome to build its formidable navy?
b) Where did the design originate?
c) What was the name of the device aboard the new ship that allowed the
boarding of enemy ships?
Question #14:
In 211 BCE, Hannibal marched his army around the walls of Rome but, undermanned
and ill-equipped, did not lay siege to the city. Knowing that the Carthaginian
general looked to Spain for supplies and men, Rome appointed Publius Cornelius
Scipio as proconsul with imperium over Spain.
a) What was unusual about his appointment?
b) On the day Hannibal marched around Rome, what activity did the Romans
engage in to show their contempt for him?
2. Answers :
Question # 13 :
a) Answer: The quinquereme.
b) Answer: The answer I was after was that the Romans copied it from captured a Carthaginian ship, but the phrasing of the question made "Greece" an acceptable response, as well.
c) Answer: The corvus.
Question # 14 :
a) Answer: It was unconstitutional--Scipio had never been Consul.
b) Answer : So certain were the Romans that Hannibal would not be staying, the land where he had made camp was sold at public auction.
____________________________________
CERTAMEN LATINUM 5 :
Presented by : Cnaeus Cornelius Lentulus.
1. Questions :
Level 1 :
QUAESTIO N°5 - This question is concerning the Roman dating.
This year according to the Nova Roman consular dating is "Gaio Fabio Buteone
Modiano Pompeia Minucia Strabone consulibus"
Please give the Latin form of the year 2755 AUC with the Nova Roman consular
dating.
Level 2 :
QUAESTIO N°5 - Put the following sentences from active to passive or from
passive to active:
Alea iacta est. -
Amicos secundae res parant, adversae probant. -
Omnia vincit amor. -
Arma virumque cano. -
2. Answers :
Level I :
RESPONSUM N°5 - Because the consuls
of the year 2755 AUC (2002) were M. Octavius Germanicus and L. Cornelius Sulla,
the Nova Roman
consular date of that year is: "Marco Octavio Germanico Lucio Cornelio Sulla
consulibus"
Level II :
RESPONSUM N°5 - Put the following
sentences from active to passive or from passive to active:
Alea iacta est. - Aleam iecerunt. (or) Aliquis aleam iecit.
Amicos secundae res parant, adversae probant. -
- Amici secundis rebus parantur, adversis probantur.
Omnia vincit amor. - Omnia vincuntur amore.
Arma virumque cano. - Arma virque canitur (a me).
_____________________________________
CLOSING
It was the last day of Megalesia.
Even if we wait the contests results, we are in front of the official closing of
Megalesia
dedicated to our Mother of the Gods, Magna Mater.
I want to belive that She appreciated all our devotion for Her glory during
these days of Ludi Megalenses events.
I want to belive that you, all Nova Romani, have a good time in Circus Maximus
and to our organized contests and Cultural Award.
I want to thank to all participants to our festival. You all, amici, are the
winners. Because with your participation you honoured Magna Mater.
May the Magna Mater blessed you all !
We, T. Iulius Sabinus and G. Equitius Cato, Curule Aediles declare the Megalesia
closed.
We offer you, at the end of the festival, the wonderful page created by Iulia
Caesaris :
http://www.aztriad.com/nrcybele.html
