Ludi Novi Romani/MMDCCLXIII

This page is maintained under authority of the Aediles Curules

The Ludi Novi Romani are the games celebrating the founding of Nova Roma, 12 years ago.

Concordialia ritual this year

Pontifex Cn. Cornelius Lentulus and Livia Plauta have performed the Concordialia ritual today at Livia's home, and you are invited to see the pictures made about the official 12th birthday ceremony of our republic.

• SEE OUR Visual Photo Report about the Concordialia Ceremony

Opening of the Ludi Novi Romani

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

Salvete omnes!

If you are reading these few lines right now, you are probably aware that this is a historical date for this (as yet) small, but thriving community called Nova Roma. Indeed, around these times,12 years ago - way back in 1998! - a little group of like-minded people decided to found a Roman revivalist group which would be dedicated to something else than pure entertainment, or hobbies, or other mundane activities. What they had in mind was a return to a set of values and morals which seems long lost in today's frantic, always-in-a- hurry times. Of course they looked for those values in a past time, and of all the possible past times that humanity has lived through, their choice fell on a really golden period of our shared history: the Republican age of Ancient Rome. And so, with just a little help from modern technology, NOVA ROMA was born. According to the Constitution, written immediately after its founding, the aims of the organization are "the study and restoration of ancient Roman culture. Founded 2,750 years after the Eternal City itself, Nova Roma seeks to bring back those golden times but through the spread of knowledge and through our own virtuous example." This is what Nova Roma is, in a nutshell: a group of people united by a mutual affection, interest, love and respect for everything connected to the culture and the civilization of ancient Rome. It may be said, though, that sometimes not absolutely everything goes peacefully, quietly and smooth as silk within our community (as in every other group of people linked by common interests), and every now and then some discussions may come up because of the different ways in which a few members view things. Sometimes these debates may get somewhat heated, and sometimes they may even go as far as involving politics in the much bigger world outside us. However, starting from today, on the CONCORDIALIA, the 12th Anniversary of the Foundation Day of our Republic, this is hopefully not a time for heated debates. This is, I hope, not a time for letting politics and other such stuff divert our attention from what Nova Roma really is. Dedicated to Goddess Concordia, this* is a 12-days time to celebrate peace and goodwill: this is a time for agreeing with each other: this is a time for getting along with our fellow citizens: this is a time for being happy!* And what better way to do this than having a series of pleasant, challenging and, yes, even exciting Ludi where all of you citizens may join? So, without any further delay, let me give to all of you a warm and heartfelt WELCOME to this new edition of the LUDI NOVI ROMANI!

Hereby I do declare the Ludi Novi Romani for the 12th anniversary of Nova Roma OPEN!

Optime valete omnes!

P. Annæus Constantinus Placidus

Ædilis Curulis Novæ Romæ

PROGRAM of the Ludi Novi Romani

• Concordialia ritual (Opening Ceremony): 1st March;
• Ludi circenses (Virtual Chariot Race): Quarters: 3rd March, Semi-finals: 6th March, Finals: 12th March;
• Certamen Historicum Novum Romanum (A Nova Roman History Quiz): 1st - 12th March;
• Certamen Latinum (Latin Quiz): 1st - 12th March;
• Ipse Dixit Quiz (Another Latin Quiz): 1st - 12th March;
• Literary Contest - Composition in any genre of literature, writing about the importance of concord, the reconciliation of factions in Nova Roma: from 3rd March;
• Nova Roman Parody Writing Contest (Another Literary Contest) - rules to be announced: on 3rd March;
• Visual Quiz - about the Videos of Nova Roma - details soon!
• Closing Ceremony: 12th March.

PARTICIPATION, RULES and RESULTS of the games

Ludi circenses: Chariot race

The four Quarterfinal races of the chariot race will take place tomorrow, March 3d, with the following starting grids:

First quarterfinal

• Lane I: Rubidea, driven by Febronius, owned by M. Arminius Maior (RUSSATA).
• Lane II: Luxogenesis, driven by Eporicus, owned by Consul P. Memmius Albucius (ALBATA).
• Lane III: Furor Teutonicus, driven by Ulfilas Gothus, owned by C. Tullius Valerianus Germanicus (VENETA).
• Lane IV: Sagitta Karthaginis, driven by Azrubal, owned by M. Hortensia Maior (PRAESINA).

Second Quarterfinal

• Lane I: Aprilis, driven and owned by T. Iulius Sabinus Crassus (RUSSATA).
• Lane II: Drunas, driven by Nervia, owned by Consul P. Memmius Albucius (ALBATA).
• Lane III: Faolchú Dubh, driven by Barinthus, owned by M. Martianus Lupus (VENETA).
• Lane IV: The Sunburst, driven by Ambicatos, owned by Quintus Servilius Priscus (PRAESINA).

Third Quarterfinal

• Lane I: Ala Rubra, driven by Ursus, owned by L. Livia Plauta (RUSSATA).
• Lane II: The Three Furies, driven by Lepidus, owned by C. Equitius Cato (VENETA).
• Lane III: Windchaser IV, driven by Emrys of Gaul, owned by Maxima Valeria Messalina (VENETA).
• Lane IV: Volcanus, driven by Merddyn, owned by Quintus Servilius Priscus (PRAESINA).

Fourth Quarterfinal

• Lane I: Amaxa, driven by Arctus, owned by L.Livia Plauta (RUSSATA).
• Lane II: Incitatus, driven by Stolo, owned by C. Petronius Dexter (VENETA).
• Lane III: White Wind, driven by Hermanus, owned by C. Maria Cæca (ALBATA).
• Lane IV: Lusitania, driven by Ducaliter, owned by C. Cocceius Spinula (RUSSATA).

On behalf of the Ædilitas, P. Annæus Constantinus Placidus thanks all the entrants, wishes good luck to everyone and invites all citizens to watch this space during the next days for results and further updates.

Certamen Historicum

Welcome to the Certamen Historicum, History Quiz about the history of our Republic, Nova Roma. This quiz will help you to immerse in our community's history, and knowing each other better finally will lead us to accept each other better, in the spirit of unity for one goal, the restoration of the Roman republic.

Each day for the next twelve days one or two questions will be posted that relate to the history of Nova Roma, exactly to that year of Nova Roma which equals to the number of the day of the Ludi Novi Romani, and the day of March.

So at the first day of the Ludi Novi Romani, there will be two questions about the first year of Nova Roma.

Certamen Latinum

As part of our celebration of Nova Roma's 12th birthday, it only seems appropriate that we have a Latin quiz. Lingua Latina plays a vital role here, since it is our ceremonial language, but also because many of us are either learning, or intend to learn, it. While Latin may never become our primary language for day to day communication, on the day when I, a native speaker of English can ask another citizen, whose native language is different, to rephrase something I didn't quite understand in Latin, so that I can better understand what is being said, we will have broadened our ability to communicate, and, especially in an on line environment, clear communication serves to bring Concordia among us.

It is, therefore, my pleasure to present you with a quiz, constructed primarily for beginning Latin students, but with a few surprises thrown in for the more advanced (provided by one of our primary Latinists). Have fun!

"Ipse Dixit" Quiz (Edition III)

From March 1st to March 12th, a series of 12 quiz items based on Latin quotes (famous ones, not-so-famous ones and little-known ones) shall be posted on the main NR list. Each item shall include a Latin quote and 2 or 3 questions about it. At the end of the quiz, when all 12 items will have been posted and the respective answers shall be revealed, the citizen with the highest score will be the winner; the reward shall be a new Nova Roman Sestertius created by G. Vipsanius Agrippa.

The following two items have already been posted for the Ipse Dixit quiz:

Item 1

• Quote: Ab ovo
• Questions: 1) What is the literal English translation of this phrase? 2) Who wrote it? 3) What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

Item 2

• Quote: Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum
• Questions: 1) What is the literal English translation of this phrase? 2) Who wrote it? 3) What is the actual meaning of the phrase in its common usage?

All citizens who still haven't replied to these two items should not worry: they may join in at any time by submitting their answers to Placidus according to the rules above - even multiple answers to multiple items within a single e-mail message are accepted.

Current standings

Up to now, all of the following citizens have replied correctly to all of the above questions, so they are ex æquo at 12 points:

• Maxima Valeria Messalina
• Marcus Iulius Perusianus
• Gaius Equitius Cato
• Lucia Iulia Aquila
• Gaius Tullius Valerianus Germanicus

A couple of other citizens, however, have only replied to one item, so they have 6 points:

• Tib. Galerius Paulinus
• C. Marcius Crispus

Keep watching this space during the next days for further updates.

REMEMBERING: Concordialia MMDCCLXI Video

A chorus of young Nova Roman citizens performing the Carmen Decennale "Rome To New Rome" by P. Ullerius Stephanus Venator, a poem written for celebrating the ten years of Nova Roma

Enjoy the video made about the 10th Anniversary Concordialia here:

• CONCORDIALIA, THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY - VIDEO

The video is made about the official 10th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Nova Roma, the 10th birthday of Nova Roma, held on the Kalends of March, 2761 AUC, during the consulship of M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus and T. Iulius Sabinus, organized by Cn. Cornelius Lentulus and Pannonian citizens of Nova Roma.

You can also hear the reading of the Latin variant of the Declaration of Nova Roma, our founding document, with subtitles, captured on the same day, recorded by Cn. Lentulus.

• DECLARATIO NOVAE ROMAE - VIDEO

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