Martialis ritual ~ Ludi Conditorum 2761 AUC (Nova Roma)

Ara Martis Ritual

(first Caerimonia Equirriae)

07:05 - Direct from Campus Martis, by our reporter P. Concordianus Pauper for CLC (Catena Ludorum Curulium).

Short after dawn the pontifices and the consuls have joined the Flamen Martis, Lucius Equitius Cincinnatus Augur, to take part in the traditional ox sacrifice at the Ara Martis in Campus Martis, not far from the Porta Fontinalis in the Servian wall, west of the Via Latia, the altar where Romulus and Numa sacrificed. This year, the aediles curules have been invited, by courtesy. But they will just attend the ritual in the second rank.

There are about twenty officiants, servants, priests or magistrates. A small hundred average citizens has gathered behind the lines and do not loose one second of this first ritual of Equirria day. They are looking both a bit aslept and excited about this important day which is beginning. For this is Equirria, and also this is not so often that one can see the whole collegium pontificum and the most famous magistrates of Nova Roma all gathered in 200 square feet.

In this fresh Fe. 27th morning, everyone seems thinking to the recent events that have affected Nova Roma. Flamen Cincinnatus, the officiant, has been directly concerned, for he has been condemned by a college of judges through a sentence formalized by Praetor Curiatus. This sentence specially deprives Hon. Equitius Cincinnatus of every religious position he is currently holding. Both praetors Severus and Complutensis are here, too. For the moment, as a provocatio appeal has been launched against the praetorian sentence, Flamen Cincinnatus, thanks to the suspensive effect of such an appeal, is fully allowed to operate.

In the first rank I can see now Princeps Quintilianus and Censorius Marinus, two of the most respected characters in Nova Roma. Silence has now fallen on the Ara Martis area. Twelves simple citizens are beginning to play their sacred flute to prevent any inauspicious sound from disturbing the ritual. The flutes sound loud and strange in this grey morning.

Flamen Cincinnatus, behind his long beard, looks concentrated but a bit tense. He is now invoking the Capitoline triad, along with old father Quirinus. He is offering incense and libations of pure wine....

Now the prayers to Mars himself that Flamen Quirinalis, absent, has not been able to pronounce. Flamen Cincinnatus has thus accepted to speak for Quirinus, too, on behalf of both Senate and People of Rome. Three religious servants are bringing forward the victim, a middle- size and beautiful ox, garlanded with white and scarlet woolen ribbons, the back covered with an elaborately embroidered and fringed dorsuale. Curiously, and though it does not seem that the ox has been doped, the saint animal looks calm. In the small crowd, people are looking each other, asking themselves if this sign is a good or bad omen.

The dorsuale is now removed by the servants, and the Flamen Martialis pours a few drops of wine upon the ox's head. He sprinkles the victim's back with mola salsa, and draws the bronze sacrificial blade down the ox's back.

Some attending citizens are now telling themselves that a good true and bloody sacrifice would have been that better. I can here from here a few ones sighing. But Nova Roma has decided not to kill the victims, but just to simulate the whole ancient ritual. Maybe the ox does know that it will go back its cowshed. Sure that some of our cives may think that the same ox has been several times the star of such a feigned sacrifice. But I do not think so, for I would have remembered this frank eyes, this flying tail, and this clever eye. The Flamen Martialis has commanded a first Victimarius, D. Pons Macer, to simulate the strike, bringing the bronze poleaxe down just over the victim's head. To simulate the stunned ox, the animal is brought on its knees, by two others strong servants.

The second Victimarius, the first one's twin, whose name is D. Pons Macro, feigns neatly cutting the victim's throat. As a Nemetiensis actor, the ox has closed its eyes. He is really looking dead, and there is a long murmur of approval among the attendants. This ox is a really good actor! The simulation goes on, and a third servant, A. Visce Rator, showing every one his long sacrifice knife, is now making as if, the victim been placed on his back, he opens its belly. Flamen Martialis Equitius does now as if he was inspecting, as a haruspex, the internal organs. Then he turns over and say: "Each is normal".

Every one, officials and crowd, seems relieved. Just now the Flamen Martialis has declared the sacrifice as "litatio", this is to mean "accepted by Mars". Then he is going to make as if he would throw over the grill the pieces of exta (the internal ox's pieces) in homage of Mars, and sprinkle them with mola salsa and salt before placing them upon the burning focus of the altar. Yes, this is done : now Flamen Cincinnatus Augur is offering a libation of unmixed wine. We can hear his deep and clear voice:

"Mars Pater, macte istace dape pollucenda esto, macte vino inferio esto [Father Mars, may you be honoured by this feast offering, may you be honoured by the humble wine]."

A libation is now poured to each of the invoked Gods and Goddeses in turn, and to Vesta, custodian of the sacred fire. The Flamen is now profaning the remainder of the meat which is taken to be roasted for the epulum feast.

Ah, yes.... Now a very symbolic moment, specially considering our recent public disputes : Flamen Augur has given each official around him a piece of meat and bread. Every one also receives a poculum of wine. If I do hear well, he is pronouncing at the same time : "May the strenght of Mars be in you and in Rome. Mars Pater, protect this man and this city!" Are these top officials embarrassed ? Or does this moment, this symbolic meal shared in common will bring them to reconciliate each other ?

Here it is, auditores et spectatores ! Here is the end of this first Equirria ceremony, which has gone well. Now, I will meet you at 10:45, for the second ritual that Flamen Cincinnatus will give in the temple of Mars adjoining the Circus Flaminius. See you there!

- 08:15 - C.L.C. - P. Concordianus Pauper -

Aedes Martis Ritual

(second Caerimonia Equirriae)

10:45 - Direct from Aedes Martis near Circus Flaminius, by our reporter P. Concordianus Pauper for CLC (Catena Ludorum Curulium)

"Thanks for having come here, in front of the Temple of Mars, Quirites !". You just have heard Flamen Lucius Equitius Cincinnatus Augur's voice.

So he has spoken, dear Romans who cannot be physically present here, before the Aedes. Maybe you are right, because the large place is now so crowdy that it seems impossible to enter it.

Every one is asking for silence now. Frankly, I am sorry, but I cannot yet give you all the names of the illustrous people who are there, but I would say that a big part of the Senate, of the religious colleges and of the magistrates are here, in the first ranks, as packed like as these poor and delicious sardines in Puteoli amphorae!

Flamen Lucius Equitius Cincinnatus Augur had returned home around 08:30 after the end of the "First Equirria ceremony", has bathed and, garbed in his still immaculate toga praetexta, he now stands in front of the crowd, "cinctu gabino capite velato", in his back the temple itself.. Between the Flamen and the crowd, the altar, a simple and rough white stone, as it fits for Mars.

Arms up to the skies, Cincinnatus flamen is now beginning the praefatio. Let us keep silent so that you can hear him:

(Praefatio)

"Iane Pater, te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor, uti sies volens propitius mihi et Senatui Populoque Novae Romae.

[Father Ianus, by offering this incense to you I pray good prayers, sothat you may be willingly propitious to me and the Senate and People of Nova Roma].

I [Fl. Cincinnatus is speaking] placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Iuppiter Optime Maxime, te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor, uti sies volens propitius mihi et Senatui Populoque Novae Romae.

[Iuppiter Best and Greatest, by offering this incense to you I pray good prayers, so that you may be willingly propitious to me and the Senate and People of Nova Roma].

I placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Iuno Dea, te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor, uti sies volens propitia mihi et Senatui Populoque Novae Romae.

[Goddess Iuno, by offering this incense to you I pray good prayers, sothat you may be willingly propitious to me and the Senate and People of Nova Roma].

I placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Minerva Dea, te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor, uti sies volens propitia mihi et Senatui Populoque Novae Romae.

[Goddess Minerva, by offering this incense to you I pray good prayers, so that you may be willingly propitious to me and the Senate and People of Nova Roma.]

I placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Quirine Pater, te hoc ture commovendo bonas preces precor, uti sies volens propitius mihi et Senatui Populoque Novae Romae.

[Father Quirinus, by offering this incense to you I pray good prayers, so that you may be willingly propitious to me and the Senate and People of Nova Roma.]

I placed incense in the focus of the altar.

"Iane Pater, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Father Ianus, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this humble wine.]"

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Iuppiter Optime Maxime, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene' precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Iuppiter Best and Greatest, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this humble wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Iuno Dea, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Goddess Iuno, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this humble wine.]"

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Minerva Dea, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Goddess Minerva, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this humble wine.]"

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Quirine Pater, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Father Mars, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this humble wine.]"

I poured a libation on the altar.

(and the Flamen Martis is washing now his hands for the praecatio...)

(Precatio)

"Mars Pater, te precor uti fortitudine et peritia horum equitum Equirriae Senatus Populusque Norvorum Romanorum Quiritum iniciantur et sies volens propitius mihi et Senatui Populoque Novorum Romanorum Quiritum. Mars Pater, qui currui temporis equos citos suos iungit ut mensem Martii adduucat, tibi fieri oportet culignam vini dapi, eius rei ergo hac illace dape pullucenda esto.

[Father Mars, I pray you that the Senate and People of the Nova Romans, the Quirites, may be inspired by the courage and skill of these horsemen of the Equirria and that you may be propitious to the Senate and People of the Nova Romans, the Quirites. Father Mars, who hitches his swift horses to the chariot of time to bring on the month of March, to you it is proper for a cup of wine to be given, for the sake of this thing therefore may you be honored by this feast offering].

The Flamen has poured a libation on the altar and added laurel for Mars.

Again he washed his hands for the redditio.

(Redditio)

"Mars Pater, qui in campo suo certamen Equirriae semper prospicit, macte istace dape pollucenda esto, macte vino inferio esto.

[Father Mars, who always observes from afar the race of the Equirria on his own field, may you be honoured by this feast offering, may you be honoured by the humble wine.]

I offered Mars Pater laurel, cakes and wine on the altar.

"Quirine Pater, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Father Mars, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honoured by this humble wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Minerva Dea, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Goddess Minerva, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honoured by this humble wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Iuno Dea, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Goddess Iuno, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honoured by this humble wine.]'

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Iuppiter Optime Maxime, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Iuppiter Best and Greatest, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honoured by this humble wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Iane Pater, uti te ture commovendo bonas preces bene precatus sum, eiusdem rei ergo macte vino inferio esto.

[Father Ianus, as by offering to you the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honoured by this humble' wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Vesta Dea, custos ignis sacri, macte vino inferio esto.'

[Goddess Vesta, guardian of the sacred fire, be honoured by this humble wine.]

I poured a libation on the altar.

"Illicet" [It is done.]"

Now Flamen Cincinnatus is profaning wine and cakes, and partaking the epulum with Mars Pater, praying as eating and offering libations. He speaks again, with a loud voice :

(Piaculum)

I offer a piaculum to Mars Pater if anything in this caerimonia should offend him :

"Mars Pater, si quidquam tibi in hac caerimonia displicet, hoc ture veniam peto et vitium meum expio.

[Father Mars, if anything in this ceremony is displeasing to you, with this incense I ask forgiveness and expiate my fault.] I offered incense on the altar.

"Mars Pater, si quidquam tibi in hac caerimonia displicet, hoc vino inferio veniam peto et vitium 0meum expio.

[Father Mars, if anything in this ceremony is displeasing to you, with this humble wine I ask forgiveness and expiate my fault.]

Now, the last offering : Flamen Equitius is pouring a libation on the altar:

"Factum est! Ite Quirites !"

You have well heard Flamen Cincinnatus' "Factum est" : it is over.

And you may hear the crowd applauding.

The People of Rome look happy. Yesterday's opening ceremony has been appreciated, this second ceremony has been well made, straight and simple as a Flamen must do, with such a not-so-easy God like Mars. Everything is well, so, and I can tell you that I can see smiles on the faces: the people are beginning to tell themselves that, after the last tense weeks, they may have beautiful Ludi, a beautiful Equirria day and race, and some peace in the forum.

Next : the reading of the fundation Declaratio by Sacerdos Cn. Cornelius Lentulus at noon. P. Concordianus Pauper was speaking, for Catena Ludorum Curulium, from Aedes Martis in Campus Martius, and it is 11:45 am on Equirria day !