X Conventus Novae Romae
The X Conventus Novae Romae took place in Ajdovščina (Pannonia) between 20th and 22nd of June P. Aurelio C. Flavio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXXVIII a.u.c., during the Ad Fluvium Frigidum Festival.
The Senate of Nova Roma announced the milestone 10th International Grand Convention of Nova Roma to take place in Provincia Pannonia, in modern day Slovenia (Nova Roma’s local chapter Pannonia is composed of Slovenia and Hungary) in the city of Ajdovščina, at the magnificent “Ad Fluvium Frigidum” festival. This festival was organized by the consul C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho, and the 10th Conventus is organized by the local governor, the legatus pro praetore of Provincia Pannonia, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus. The festival reenacted the story of the battle of the Frigidus in 394 between emperors Theodosius and Eugenius, and the battle itself was the largest and most spectacular late Roman battle reenactment ever seen until then. The Conventus took place within the ruins of an original Roman stone fortress, with still standing bastions, and all participants could sleep in the authentic Roman tents. It was like a most amazing time travel. The Roman fortress itself, the Castra Ad Fluvium Frigidum is a beautiful original Roman building still standing, almost intact walls, gate and bastions, the surrounding landscape is inviting even for for a longer stay. The fortress is next to the Frigidus river where the battle was held by Theodosius and Eugenius, the river is today called Vipava.
Antecedents
The previous Conventus Novae Romae was held in Hope and Chester, Park In The Past (Britannia) during M. Cotta C. Petronio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXXVII a.u.c.. The Senate approved during the Session December 2777 the Senatus consultum de Magno Conventu Internationali Novae Romae Emeritae Augustae sive Romae habendo, by which the next Conventus would be held in Emerita Augusta (Hispania) or, in case that would not be possible, in Rome during the Parilia. However, by May 2778 the Conventus had not been organised and its original location in Emerita Augusta was cancelled "due to technical and organizational difficulties". The Commissio Conventus Praeparandi proposed the Ad Fluvium Frigidum festival in Ajdovščina, Slovenia and Consul P. Aurelius Barbatus published the Edictum consulare de X conventu Novae Romae, sanctioning the new location until the Senate would approve it. The Senate ratified that decission during the Session June 2778, approving the Senatus consultum de X Magno Conventu Internationali Novae Romae Ad Fluvium Frigidum habendo. and revoking the previous SC on the matter.
