Ludi Plebeii Sex. Lucilio (II) A. Tullia (II) consulibus
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On the Ides of November, yesterday, aedilis plebis M. Hortensia Faustina opened the Ludi Plebeii of Nova Roma in the Temple, in our Provincia Sarmatia (Ukraine), in Poltava, with the assistance of Titus Octavius Corvus: they offered the main ceremony of the Plebeian Festival to Ceres, Liber and Libera. The current Ludi Plebeii of Nova Roma will last until next Sunday. The other aedilis plebis M. Metellus Tocaiensis, has offered an additional ritual to Ceres, Liber and Libera, and the camilla of Ceres, Autronia Stolo performed another Ludi Plebeii ceremony to Ceres, asking for her blessings on us, all Nova Romans.
Opening Speech by Plebeian Aedile M. Hortensia
- Plebians, we are here to celebrate the Ludi Plebei. No one is sure of the origin of these Ludi Plebei but it is commonly held that they were instituted by the Senate upon the election of the first plebeian consul Lucius Sextius in 362 B.C.E. A great victory.
- The plebeians, the working class of Rome, had been ruled by the patricians until they revolted in 494 B.C.E. fighting for their freedom. They succeeded and the tribunes of the plebs were installed. In Nova Roma we too recently fought and succeeded in overcoming Sulla and his dictatorship. So we have much to celebrate!
- As a Nova Roman being part of the TEMPLVM Project in Sarmatia, living in a real Nova Roman community, I spent the summer with the other members helping to build the columns for the temple to Iuppiter Perunus. And now it is painted in historical temple colors. This is a real new Roman temple!
- At the temple complex there are 28 real altars, one in marble, the other limestone, and 10 more to come. All with sacrifices. This is living Romanitas, this is Nova Roma!
- I now as aedilis plebis and in the name of my colleague Marcus Metellus open the Ludi Plebei!
- M. Hortensia Maior Fabiana Faustina
- aedilis plebis
PROGRAMS OF THE PLEBEIAN FESTIVAL
The current Ludi Plebeii are going to include the following programs:
LUDI SCAENINICI: "Andria" (The Girl from Andros) by Terence (166 BC)
Hosted by M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis, aedilis plebis
The first program of the Ludi Plebeii of this year is the ludi scaenici, the theater games. We, the aediles plebis recommend that you watch today or any time during the Ludi Plebeii this theater play by the ancient Roman comedian Terentius or Terence:
This is very nice performance at the Red River Theatres, Concord, New Hampshire, USA. If you watch it that will be exactly what the ancient Romans would have done these days, theater plays were part of the Ludi Plebeii and this is an original Roman play. A very recommended cultural experience to watch, you will learn much about the Roman sense of humor and Roman theater. Enjoy!
CERTAMEN HISTORICUM: CENTENNIAL OF TUTANKHAMUN - WITH A NOVA ROMAN EYE
Hosted by A. Iulius Paterculus, scriba
As part of the Ludi Plebeii this year, and to honour one of the great discoveries in archaeology just over 100 years ago, we will be having a three-part quiz on the Romans and Egypt. Questions will be posted today, Wednesday, and Friday. All are welcome to participate.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
You can access the quiz questions in our Facebook Group or in our official Mailing Forum. Please send your responses in English to the email address:
arthur.f.waite@gmail.com
including the words "LUDI PLEBEII | Certamen Historicum" in the subject line.
The deadline for all responses will be 11:59 P.M. Rome Time on Sunday, November 20th.
CERTAMEN HEROICUM: A HEROIC FEAT
Hosted by P. Aurelius Barbatus, quaestor
On this occasion of the Ludi Plebeii, I bring this game to you in the name of your plebeian aediles, M. Hortensia Maior Fabiana Faustina and M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis. Hercules was one of the most popular gods in Rome, especially among the plebeians, and he was honored as a patron of athletes and strength. In ancient Rome, the Ludi Plebeii featured many athletic competitions. With this in mind, I present the following competition, A HEROIC FEAT.
Please submit evidence of yourself performing an athletic feat in whatever your area of interest is. Examples of entries include a video of yourself weightlifting or performing a strongman event, a picture of yourself (along with a screenshot of your fitness app log if you have it) running, cycling, or swimming a great distance, or a video of yourself hitting a bullseye in archery. Be sure to include an explanation of your feat along with your entry.
Whatever your passion for physical activities is, you can show the gods and your fellow Roman your best! Submissions will be judged based on physicality, difficulty, and impressiveness. First, second, and third place winners will be awarded Census Points for their victories. Please submit all entries to bede.the.venerable.of.northumbria@gmail.com. I also encourage you to post them to the Nova Roma Facebook group and/or the Forum Romanum (ML) so your everyone can see your might!
CERTAMEN HISTORICUM: THE TRIBUNES AND AEDILES OF PLEBS OF NOVA ROMA
Hosted by M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis, aedilis plebis
We will hold a a contest about our internal history, about the past aediles plebis and tribuni plebis of Nova Roma. It is a good idea to learns about who is who in Nova Roma and to know our community's history better! We will include some ancient Roman questions, as well, to learn about the ancient Roman tribunes and aediles of the plebs.
CERTAMEN RECONSTRUCTIVUM: "SHOW YOUR ROMAN OUTFIT" REENACTORS' CONTEST
Hosted by M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis, aedilis plebis
We are also going to hold a reenactors' contest which will be judged by a three members jury composed of reenactors of Nova Roma. If you have a historically accurate Roman garment, you will enjoy to participate in this one!
