MMDCCLXIII/Ludi Romani

Rules of the Certamen Historicum

1. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. An extra point may be awarded for an especially detailed and excellent answer. 2. Answers are to be sent to my e-mail address e-mail address within 24 hours after the posting of the questions.

3. My decision is final in interpreting what is and what isn't a correct answer.

Day 1 - Year 1 (March 1st)

Question #1. What was the address of the original mailing list of Nova Roma, settled in the First Year, 2750 AUC?

• Answer #1. novaroma@maine.rr.com

Question #2. What was the exact date of the declaring of our (limited) sovereignty?

• Answer #2. Feb. 28, 1998.

Day 2 - Year 2 (March 2nd)

Question #3. What was the most memorable event in 2752 AUC?

• Answer #3. Vedius' dictatorship.

Question #4. Name 3 citizens who received Nova Roman citizenship in Year Two, and are still within the republic as citizens.

• Answer #4.

Franciscus Apulus Caesar

Cyrene Lucretia Corva Apollinaris

Marcus Bianchius Antonius

Titinius Antonius

Marcus Iunius Iulianus

Tiberius Annaeus Otho

Day 3 - Year 3 (March 3rd)

Question #5. . Name 3 Nova Roman provinces established in the Third Year of Nova Roma, 2753 AUC / 2000 CE.

• Answer #5.

Gallia

Germania

Argentina

Question #6. We had a female quaestor (quaestrix) in that year, serving in her third term in the same office. Who was she?

• Answer #6. Patricia Cassia.

Day 4 - Year 4 (March 4th)

Question #7. In the 4th year of our republic (2754 AUC / 2001 CE), a prominent citizen who had the honour having the citizen ID # 1, renounced his citizenship. Who was he, by his full Roman name?

• Answer #7. Gaius Aelius Ericius.

Question #8. The 4th year of our State saw the reconstruction of the Roman social system of distinguishing capite censi and assidui. Tell us the name of the law, and of the person who introduced it.

• Answer #8. Lex Vedia de assiduis et capite censis. Flavius Vedius Germanicus.

Day 5 - Year 5 (March 5th)

Question #9. At the beginning of the 5th year of Nova Roma, (2755 AUC / 2002 CE), the honorific title "Pater Patriae" was introduced. To whom was it given, and by whom was it proposed?

• Answer #9. It was given to F. Vedius Germanicus and M. Cassius Iulianus as our founders and was proposed by M. Octavius Germanicus.

Question #10. A significant part of that year was marked by a conflict arisen between the two consuls, originating from law proposal. Who were these consuls, and what was the conflict between them?

• Answer #10. Consus: L. Cornelius and M. Octavius Germanicus - a proposed lex that would substantially modify the Censores' power to create Senators.

Day 6 - Year 6 (March 6th)

Question #11. In our 6th year was organized the second international conventus of Nova Roma. Where was it held, what was the official name of the event then? Please name 3 citizens who participated in the Conventus II.

• Answer #11.

Second Nova Roma Rally

-Bologna, Italy,

-Marcus Iulius Perusianus

Aelius Solaris Marullinus

Lucius Iulius Sulla

Franciscus Apulus Caesar

Question #12. 2756 AUC was not only the second year of the international conventus, but the second year of the Magna Mater Project as well. The most important development, at that time, is that close collaboration was obtained with Professor Pensabene and his assistant, Doc. Alessandro D'Alessio. What was the original intention of the project, and what was the more realistic, official intention later, when the fundraising begun?

• Answer #12. .

Day 7 - Year 7 (March 7th)

Question #13. Name 5 citizens who got their citizenship in the 7th year of our republic, 2757 AUC / 2004 CE.

• Answer #13.

Gaius Galerius Laurentius

Gaius Maltinius Caesar

Gnaeus Iulius Caesar,

Publius Flavius Caesar

Aulus Iulius Caesar

Titus Iulius Sabinus

Cato

Marcus Lucretius Agricola

Marca Sempronia Iustina

Tiberia Sempronia Modesta

Gaia Sempronia Graccha Volentia

Question #14. One of the consuls of this year changed his name. Who was he and to what did he change his original name?

• Answer #14. Cn. Salvius Astur was Cn. Salix Astur.

Day 8 - Year 8 (March 8th)

Question #15. In the Year 2758 AUC, we created our second Nova Roman sestertius. Who are those citizens whose names appear in this coin? Why them??

• Answer #15. They were the Consul for that year, Franciscus Apulus Caesar Gaius Popillius Laenas.

Question #16. What was the number of assiduus citizens in this year?

• Answer #16. 245.

Day 9 - Year 9 (March 9th)

Question #17. The year 2759 AUC / 2006 CE saw a big change in the IT infrastructure of the Republic. What was this change? How was it decided? And how was it implemented?

• Answer #17. Media Wiki was installed on our website. By an edict by Consul Modianus. With WikiMagisters.

Question #18. We are in the year of the "Ap. Claudius Priscus Case". Can you explain to me what was this situation, and how was is solved?

• Answer #18. He contacted the U.S, government claiming he was representing NR. Modianus tried to bring him to court in NR. Eventually, Priscus left NR.

Day 10 - Year 10 (March 10th)

Question #19. A dedicated, valuable citizen of Nova Roma, and a sitting magistrate died in the 10th year of the Republic, 2760 AUC / 2007 CE. Who was he? From which province? What office did he hold?

• Answer #19.

Question #20. An attempt for a senatus consultum ultimum was initiated by one of the consuls that year. What was the purpose of this senatus consultum ultimum, what was the reason for such an intention, and who was the consul who tried to introduce it?

• Answer #20.

Day 11 - Year 11 (March 11th)

Question #21. (...)

• Answer #21.

Question #22. (...)

• Answer #22.

Day 12 - Year 12 (March 12th)

Question #23. (...)

• Answer #23.

Question #24. (...)

• Answer #24.

Final Results

The scores and final positions are:

• 1st Place:
• 2nd Place:
• 3rd Place:
• 4th Place:
• 5th Place:

Rules of the Certamen Latinum

1. I will post one question a day, participants must send their answers directly to me at <felinitye@gmail.com> within 24 hours of posting. Please do *not* post answers to the list! I will announce the correct answer to question 1 when I post question 2 the next day, and so on, and announce the winner at the end of the quiz.

2. Points: Questions 1, 2 and 3 will receive 1 point each. Questions 4, 5 and 6 will receive 2 points each. Questions 7, 8 and 9 will receive 3 points each. Questions 10 and 11 will receive 4 points each, and question 12 will receive 5 points (and yes, it will be more involved and difficult!) Now ...the questions do get progressively more tricky and difficult, so a good strategy is to "clean up" on the early questions, to build up some easy points!

Items and answers

Item 1 : Ab ovo

1. What is the literal English translation of this phrase?

From the egg.

2. Who wrote it?

Horace.

3. What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

From the start, from the beginning. Also used ironically in reference to someone who relates an event starting from too far back in time.

Item 2: Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum

1. What is the literal English translation of this phrase?

To err is human, but to persevere is diabolical.

2. Who wrote it?

Seneca.

3. What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

Making mistakes is part of the human nature; repeating the same mistake can easily turn into evil.

Item 3: Nemo propheta in patria

1. What is the literal English translation of this phrase?

No-one (is) a prophet in his homeland.

2. What is the original source of the phrase? (Quote at least one specific source.)

It appears in all four Gospels, in the New Testament. Matthew (chapter 13) is the earliest.

3. What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

No-one's merits are recognized or appreciated in their own homeland.

Item 4: Si vis pacem, para bellum

1. What is the literal English translation of this phrase?

If you want peace, prepare (for) war.

2. Who wrote it?

Vegetius Renatus.

3. What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

You have to be aware of your own strenght if you wish to live peacefully.

4. (optional - 1 bonus point if correct) What famous comic book hero uses this phrase as his motto?

The Punisher, a Spiderman antagonist. It is also the old motto of the Royal British Navy.

Item 5: Acta est fabula, plaudite!

1. What is the literal English translation of this phrase?

The play has been performed, applaud! Usually said at the end of theatrical plays.

2. Who WROTE it?

Suetonius.

3. According to the writer, who SAID it?

Emperor Augustus, on his deathbed.

4. What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage, outside of its original context?

It is over, everything is over.

Item 6: Vexilla regis prodeunt inferni

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase in English?

The banners/signs/flags of the king of hell come forward.

2. Who wrote it?

Dante Alighieri (Inferno, Canto XXXIV), who added the fourth word to the first line of a much older Christian hymn, by Venantius Fortunatus.

3. Who is the character who says the phrase in its original context?

Virgil, Dante's guide.

4. (optional - 1 bonus points if correct) What character is being approached, while the phrase is spoken?

Lucifer (Satan).

Item 7: Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase in English?

All of Gaul is divided in(to) three parts.

2. Who wrote it?

C. Iulius Cæsar.

3. What is the full title of the work which begins with the phrase, and what does the title mean? (1 point each)

Commentarii de Bello Gallico or just De Bello Gallico, i.e. "(Commentaries) on the Gallic War".

Item 8: Peras imposuit Iuppiter nobis duas

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase in English?

Jupiter imposed on us / charged us with two bags/pouches/satchels/sacks.

2. Who wrote it?

Phædrus, translating Æsop.

3. What is the symbolic meaning of the objects mentioned in the phrase, within its original context?

The two bags are faults: we always see other people's faults, but we never see our own ones.

Item 9: Non amo te, Sabidi, nec possum dicere quare: | hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te.

1. What is the literal translation in English of this famous 2-line epigram?

I do not love you, Sabidius, (but) I cannot even say (the reason) why; | only this I can say: I do not love you.

2. Who wrote it?

Martial.

3. What English writer is remembered today pretty much ONLY because he translated it?

Thomas (Tom) Brown.

4. (optional) Who is addressed, in the translation mentioned in question 3 above? (Surname only, 1 point. Full name, 2 points.)

Dr. John Fell.

Item 10: Desinit in piscem, mulier formosa superne

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English?

A beautiful woman above ends in a fish.

2. Who wrote it?

Horace, same source as Item 1 (Ars Poetica).

3. What is the symbolic meaning of the phrase?

It refers to something that starts well and ends badly; a promising start of something whose end result is a mess.

Item 11: Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English?

I am a man, I believe nothing human (is) alien to me.

2. Who wrote it?

Terence.

3. What is the most simplified meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

None of the aspects of human nature is extraneous to man. "Nothing human is extraneous to me."

Item 12: Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus

1. What is the literal translation of this phrase into English?

Let us rejoice, while we are young.

2. Name at least one person who has been credited for writing it, or to whom it has been attributed.

The ultimate source is unknown. Seneca is the originator of the concept, although he did not write the exact words in the quote. The writing of the phrase has been attributed, during the years, to Antonio Urceo (1482) and Domenico Strada, respectively a professor and a student in the University of Bologna. Christian Wilhelm Kindleleben, in 1791, wrote the text which is currently in use.

3. What is the context in which the phrase is most commonly heard?

"Gaudeamus igitur", as it is known, is the most popular academic commercium song throughout all of the universities of Europe and it is well known in many other non-European universities as well. Thus, it is commonly sung at university graduation ceremonies, university dinners, university parties and all other gatherings of university students.

4. What is the actual full title of the composition which is commonly known by the first two words of the phrase, and what does the title mean? (1 point each)

De Brevitate Vitæ, i.e. "On the Shortness of Life".

This quiz is, by now, officially CLOSED.

The winner of Ipse Dixit (Edition III) is Gaius Marcius Crispus with a final score of 79 points.

Final standings

• Gaius Marcius Crispus: 79 points.
• Gaia Æmilia Anas: 78 points.
• Marcus Iulius Perusianus: 77 points.
• Lucia Iulia Aquila: 76 points.
• Gaius Equitius Cato: 68 points.
• Maxima Valeria Messalina: 62 points.
• Gaius Tullius Valerianus Germanicus: 59 points.
• Tiberius Galerius Paulinus: 6 points.

On behalf of the Ædilitas, Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus congratulates the winner, thanks all the entrants for having participated, and expresses his hope to have them all again joining in the Fourth Edition of the quiz, later this year.

Official Ædilician closing statement

Ædilis Curulis Publius Annæus Constantinus Placidus omnibus civibus, peregrinisque bonæ voluntatis salutem plurimam dicit.

Hereby, I do declare the MMDCCLXIII edition of the Ludi Novi Romani officially CLOSED.

The final results of the Chariot Race and of the Third Edition of the "Ipse Dixit" quiz are posted above on this page, which shall be updated during the next days with the results of the other Ludi events.

On behalf of the Ædilitas of Nova Roma, I would like to thank all of the participants, entrants and competitors in the Chariot Race and in the Third Edition of "Ipse Dixit", also inviting them to join me during the next and upcoming Ludi events. I would also like to express my deepest, sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to the whole of the Cohors Ædilicia, and in particular to my scribæ, Gnæus Cornelius Lentulus, Lucia Iulia Aquila and Gaia Maria Cæca, for all of their hard work and dedication. These Ludi were very much the result of a team effort, and they could have never have turned out as excellently as they did without the invaluable cooperation of the entire Cohors, so thanks very much to all of its members.

Optime valete omnes!

P. Ann. Con. Placidus

Ædilis Curulis Novæ Romæ