Ludi Romani (Nova Roma)/Certamen Historicum de Constitutione Antoniniana

Emperor Antoninus Caracalla, author of the Constitutio Antoniniana

Certamen Historicum de Constitutione Antoniniana

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to the Ludi Romani, and to our quiz!

This year is the 1800th anniversary of the Constitutio Antoniniana, a law which was of fundamental importance in the history of Western civilization. The Constitutio Antoniniana (Latin: "Constitution [edict] of Antoninus") was an edict issued in 212 AD (a widely acceptad but debated dating), by the Roman emperor Caracalla. The law declared that all free men in the Roman Empire were to be given full Roman citizenship and all free women in Empire were given the same rights as Roman women were. For us, Nova Romans, it is an incredibly important historical event. As we all know, Romans were different from many nations in history: instead of ethical identity, the basis of Roman identity was Roman citizenship. Citizenship was the most valued asset in the lives of millions of Romans, and if somone would have asked an ancient Roman what made him Roman or what to be Roman meant, he certainly had answered: Roman citizenship. In Nova Roma, too, Nova Roman citizenship is what makes us all real Romans. Our Nova Roman citizenship is - or must be - the most important constituent of our Roman identity, because without that we can not be truly Romans. In fact, distributing and maintaining Roman citizenship is the most significant service that Nova Roma gives to the world - and we must be proud of that. This mission of Roman revival, started with the founding of Nova Roma in 1998, now must be kept alive by you, and by participating in this historical contest, you have the opportunity to give a sign to our community how important your citizenship is for you.

Participate in the Certamen Historicum de Constitutione Antoniniana, let the world know you are proud of your Roman citizenship!

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