Ludi Novi Romani/MMDCCLXX/Concordialia

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19TH ANNIVERSARY
of the Founding of Nova Roma
OPENING OF THE SACRED 20TH YEAR

Despite our ups and downs, we, the New Romans, have many reason to celebrate, especially those of us who are part of real life Nova Roman communities. We have each other. We have the oldest and largest Roman community. We have 19 years behind us, and we have just started the Sacred 20th. We will complete the founding of Nova Roma during this Sacred Year. We have reason to celebrate.

WATCH OUR VIDEO ABOUT THE CEREMONY

Preparations for the celebrations: citizens and legions arrive and the altar is set up

Nova Romans are arriving to the arena of the ruins of the Aquincum amphitheater. Setting up the mobile altar, the flags and decoration, chearful chit-chat and, finally, the lighting of the fire on the altar. There were about 18-20 people present, most of them Nova Romans of Pannonia. Three legions sent a couple of their chief commanders and a couple of their soldiers to this event, the legio XXI Rapax, the cohors VI Carpathica and the allied legio II Adiutrix. For a short time, a small delegation from the Familia Gladiatoria, the oldest gladiator reenactment group, too, made a honor visit, as they are allied to Nova Roma in Pannonia. Most of the participating Nova Romans, however, were civilians who watched the ceremony in modern clothes (there was cold for Roman clothes). In the pictures below Marcellus, the centurio of the legio II Adiutrix and C. Villius, the optio of the cohors VI Carpathica, command their troops to prepare for the parade, and L. Coponius is lighting the fire to commence the celebration, while they surround the Sacred Flag of Nova Roma, which was consacrated on the 10th Anniversary, 10 years ago. Citizens lurking in the dark background.

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The 19th Anniversary march past and parade

Before the rituals, Cn. Lentulus is conducting a military parade in his own right as praefectus Italiae and legatus pro praetore Pannoniae, but also in the name of Sex. Lucilius, C. Quadratus, P. Annaeus and Q. Catulus, and in the name of the commander in chief, the elder Lentulus Alexander. The governor Cn. Lentulus read the message of the consular tribune Q. Catulus in front of our legions and our People, interpreted it in the local vernacular, and made a short festive speech. In the pictures, soldiers from the three legions performing the march past and aligning for the review by the legatus pro praetore who represents the heads of the state. Cn. Lentulus reading the message of Q. Catulus and holding a speech to the soldiers and citizens present. The circular walls of the amphitheater in the dark background.

The sacrifice to Concordia

Then came the sacrifice for Nova Roma to our patron deity Concordia, performed by Cn. Lentulus as pontifex and sacedos Concordiae. Lentulus prayed in the name of all Nova Romans for unity and peace among all modern Romans of the world, and for the restoration of Romanitas.

You can also watch our video about the ritual on YouTube.

An impressionist silhouette from another world:

The sacrifice to Mars, Iuppiter and other main deities

Lentulus, as the praefectus of Italia and legatus pro praetore of Pannonia, offered another, shorter ritual for Italia and for Pannonia and the local citizens, followed by offerings for the legio XXI Rapax, cohors VI Carpathica and the allied legio II Adiutrix. As part of his anniversary Ludi Novi Romani initiative, pontifex Cn. Lentulus included the prayers of those who sent their request in advance. In the pictures below, prayers of Q. Lutatius Catulus, C. Petronius Africanus, M. Aemilius Agricola, Sp. Vibius Calvus, Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia, Q. Cornelius Taxus, Q. Arrius Nauta, T. Popillia Laenas, C. Villius Vulso are recited by pontifex Lentulus and offerings made for the intention of these citizens. The photos show incense, wine and libum sacrifices and the reading of the strictly regulated Roman prayer formulas from the scroll. You can also watch the video about the ritual on YouTube.

The munera: gladiatorial games

After the sacrificial ceremony, as part of the religious tradition, munera gladiatoria were held under the presidency of governor Lentulus, but with stand-in gladiators: two legionary soldiers, Vulso and Macro, father and son fought each other. The father won, and, among much laughter, we learned that gods always prefer the elders!

The epulum: sacred dinner with ancient Roman meal

After the rituals and the gladiatorial munera, the Nova Romans are having a banquet with Italian wine and a Roman meal, called pullum Numidicum, and the citizens and the soldiers sing a Latin song written specifically to celebrate the 19th Anniversary of Nova Roma. The pullum Numidicum was made by the Lentulus-family, and it was surprisingly and addictively delicious. The Italian wine made the Nova Romans cheerful and happy: this is the story of how we started the Sacred 20th Year of Nova Roma!