MMDCCLXIII/Ludi Romani

Opening of the Ludi Romani

The Ludi Romani, also known in ancient Rome as Ludi Romani Magni, are the hugest and most extended Ludi event amongst all of the Ludi. They are always performed mainly in the Circus Maximus in honour of Jupiter and they were originally created during the monarchy age by King Tarquinius Priscus. As usual, my invitation to all of the Nova Romans who I am pleased to welcome as participants and contestants in the events of the forthcoming days is to thoroughly enjoy these Ludi and to let go, at least for a moment, of all the usual bitching and quarreling over trivial or irrelevant matters, which have unfortunately become, especially in the latest times, the only thing really happening in the Forum of Nova Roma. So, in addition to the invocation below, I hereby evoke a special prayer to Dea Concordia, that she may grant to all of the citizens of Nova Roma enough peace of mind and enough communitarian spirit to keep the recent hypotheses of separation, partition of even dissolution of our Republic completely out of these Ludi. So, what I hope and wish for all of you is this: let us not think about parting or separating Nova Roma in two or more parts; let us not keep blaming each other's misfortunes; let us not waste our time in endless debates. Instead, let us get busy with the Latin language contest, rediscovering our fathers' ways of speaking and writing; let us enjoy the Circenses, always supporting our racing teams with passion and fervor; and most of all, LET US ALL HAVE FUN!!

Hereby I do declare the Ludi Romani officially OPEN!

Optime valete omnes!

P. Annæus Constantinus Placidus

Ædilis Curulis Novæ Romæ

Invocation to the Gods

O Great Jupiter Capitoline, and You, Mars, founder and bearer of the Roman Name, and You, Vesta, keeper of the Eternal flame, and all of You, eternal Gods, who raised this mass of the Roman Republic to the highest glories of the world, I pray and invoke to you in the name of the People: watch, save and protect this status of prosperity and this peace, agree to pious intentions of citizens, if they are there, and make them useless if they are impious.

Gratias Tibi Placide Aedilis! A most eloquent opening and even more astute and appropriate!!!

My colleague Curule Aedilis P. Annaeus Constantinus Placidus and I welcome you to the first day of the Ludi Romani! We are all gathered here in Rome to engage in games in the honor of Iuppiter IOM. The crowds have gathered in anticipation! This morning at sunrise the Pompa began at the Temple of Iuppiter followed by a huge crowd that includes Religious officials, Senators, Magistrates, athletes in the various games including the Charioteers who are especially well groomed and appear more as demi-gods rather than mere mortals. There are actors and little people in the bright costumes with some dressed as fauns, satyrs and other mythological characters, musicians of all sort accompanying the drums, A sea of color, the flags representing the different Racing Factiones, even Green, although Praesina is not represented this year accompanied the throng and now gaily appoints the Circus Maximus. Hundreds of dancers are dancing amidst the servitors who carried hundreds of magnificent silver, gold and bronze urns and vases and trays of magnificent delicacies! The Pompa continued through the Forum to the gates of Porta Triumphalis of the Circus itself where the first quarter will take place on the 3rd day, September 7th. Now as we stand, or dance, within the Circus Maximus herself, the sounds of flutes, horns and a water organ intermingled with the shouts, laughter and gaiety of the crowds! Mock warriors and Legionnaires, some as security, some not, walk amongst the crowds displaying their magnificently crested helmets, belted tunics of bronze and metal appointed leather and brandishing swords, spears and shields of all kinds. The chariots and charioteers are also working the crowds although they are doing so close to the carceres on the officium to watch over their chariots and steeds. The horses are lively and some are quite nervous this first day of the Ludi, but this is to be expected. I am told that some of the training exercises will be carried out as spectacle for the festival goers! Ah but look! There are fire dancers, acrobats that seem to come out of nowhere, ropw walkers who appear to walk on air, fire eaters who belch the fire out without harm!

As for spectacles, there will be many parties in our magnificent city throughout the course of the Ludi Romani! Many invited esteemed guests will gather at my home, Villa Iulia, On September 10th the evening before the semifinals begin! Tonight, Magistrates, Senatores, high ranking religious officials and those fortunate enough to be invited will gather at the Domus of Curule Aedilis P. Annaeus Constantinus Placidus for a Ludi Romani Magni opening feast!

Ah the Pompa is almost completed

Gleaming and glittering litters in gold and purple carrying splendid realistically painted statues of the Gods, all exquisitely dressed in the finest clothing and ornaments! The sacrificial animals also enter, docile and content, beautiful garlands of herbs and flowers adorn them. Millions of flower petals seem to fall from the air above, the air redolent of delicious foods and drink, elegant perfumes and horseflesh, the most compelling scent of all Ludis! Roses, violets, wildflowers and all sorts of beautiful foliage adorn ever corner of the Circus!

The crowd hushes as M. Octavius Corvus Sacerdos Iovis enter the templum accompanied by T. Iunius Brutus Procurator Sarmatia Prov. and Ap. Furius Lupus Duumvir of Municipium Poltava for the opening Ritual to Iuppiter.

The Ritual

PRAEFATIO: "IUPPITER OPTIME MAXIME, UTI TIBI IN ILLEIS LIBREIS SCRIPTUM EST, QUARUMQUE RERUM ERGO, QUODQUE MELIUS SIET POPULO NOVO ROMANO QUIRITIBUS, TIBI HOC SACRUM FIAT: TE QUAESO PRECORQUE, UTI IMPERIUM MAIESTATEMQUE POPULI NOVI ROMANI QUIRITIUM AUXIS, UTIQUE INCOLUMITATEM SEMPITERNAMQUE VICTORIAM VALETUDINEMQUE POPULO NOVO ROMANO QUIRITIBUS DES, FAVEASQUE POPULO NOVO ROMANO QUIRITIBUS, REMQUE PUBLICAM LIBERAM POPULI NOVI ROMANI QUIRITIUM SALVAM SERVES, MAIOREMQUE FACIAS, UTI SIS VOLENS PROPITIUS POPULO NOVO ROMANO QUIRITIBUS, SENATUI NOVO ROMANO, SACERDOTIBUS POPULI NOVI ROMANI, NOBIS, DOMIBUS, FAMILIIS, ET UTI HUIUS SACRIFICI ACCEPTOR SIES; HARUM RERUM ERGO MACTE ESTO FITO VOLENS PROPITIUS POPULO NOVO ROMANO QUIRITIBUS, SENATUI NOVO ROMANO, SACERDOTIBUS NOVIS ROMANIS, NOBIS, DOMIBUS, FAMILIIS."

PRECATIO: "IUPPITER, QUO CIRCA TE, CAPITOLINE, QUEM PROPTER BENEFICIA POPULUS ROMANUS OPTIMUM, PROPTER VIM MAXIMUM NOMINAVIT! IUPPITER, QUI GENUS COLIS ALISQUE HOMINEM, PER QUEM VIVIMUS VITALEM AEVOM, QUEM PENES SPES VITAE SUNT HOMINUM OMNIUM, DA DIEM HUNC SOSPITEM QUAESO MEIS REBUS AGUNDIS!" "PATER NOSTER, IN TUA, PATER CARISSIME, IN TUA SUMUS CUSTODIA. IUPPITER, TE HOC TURE OMMOVENDO BONAS PRECES PRAECOR, UTI SIS VOLENS PROPITIUS NOBIS LIBERISQUE NOSTRIS, DOMIBUS FAMILIISQUE NOSTRIS."

- Some INCENSE put into the fire -

The statue of Iuppiter was carried by procession around the templum and brought behind the Ara Iovis. The statue remained there untill the end of the ceremony.

SACRIFICIUM: "IUPPITER, TE HOC LIBO OBMOVENDO BONAS PRECES PRECOR, UTI SIS VOLENS PROPITIUS NOBIS LIBERISQUE NOSTRIS, DOMIBUS FAMILIISQUE NOSTRIS, MACTUS HOC FERTO."

- LIBUM -

"IOVIS PATER, UTI TE LIBO OBMOVENDO BONAS PRECES BENE PRECATUS SUM, EIUSDEM REI ERGO MACTE VINO INFERIO ESTO."

- WINE - "IUPPITER OPTIME MAXIME, REX DEORUM, QUI RES PUBLICAS NOVAS ROMANAS NUNC CUSTODIS DEFENDISQUE, SICUT RES PUBLICAS MAIORUM NOSTRORUM ROMANORUM CUSTODIVISTI DEFENDISTIQUE, TIBI FIERI OPORTET IN HOC TEMPORE INITII CULIGNAM VINI DAPI, EIUS REI ERGO HAC ILLACE DAPE PULLUCENDA ESTO."

- WINE -

Since the sacrifice was accepted by the God favourably Ludi Roman were proclaimed open.

"LUDI ROMANI INITII SUNT!"

ILICET. DI IMMORTALES FACIANT, TAM FELIX QUAM PIA.

Be it known that right after of opening the Ludi M. Octavius Corvus observed two small birds gave us the sure good sign with their flight. Iuppiter favours these Ludi!

The Ludi have begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PROGRAM of the Ludi Romani

This edition of Ludi Romani has officially been closed on September 13th 2763 AUC. Below you can find information about the various games, their rules and their winners.

Little Latin Ludi-loo (Letter-writing Contest)

The winner of this contest will be the one who writes the best letter and uses the most appropriate roman salutation and farewell closing for the situation set out each day. The salutations, (greeting and name, farewell and name) must be in Latin, and in a form that would be appropriate for the sender, the recipient, and the context. The words of the letter itself are in your own language.

(Team: Leader - Crispus, posting questions and collecting answers, Scholastica and Petronius judging)

Certamen Historicum - VITA ROMANORUM

The game is a series of 12 different questions with 1 - 3 answers per question including bonus answers based on three videos regarding various aspects of basic Roman life that every ancient Roman would know. It is designed to be fun and educational.

THE WINNER The winner is the citizen who earns the most points!

(Team: Leader Scriptrix collects the answers, Caeca and Agrippa - all are taking turns posting questions)

Lux et Vox Romanae (Audio/Visual Contest)

We are pleased to present the sights and sounds of Rome contest for all Novi Romani in honor of this year's Ludi Romani!

Participants submit a video, mp3 or photos of a real life event in which they participated in – this could be vacation photos from Rome, an archeological dig or a photo of a Roman meal (but recipe must be included), a recording of "ancient music" from a concert they attended or their own music, photos or video of an Oppidium meeting or ritual or an event the participant attended or even a "how to" video of preparing a Roman meal or how to make a tunica or how to wear a toga.

Adumbratio Comœdia (Theatrical Comedy Sketch Writing Contest) This year the Aedilician Cohors are seeking short humorous skits under 300 words, in most cases this is one or two paragraphs. Those entries that work best in the context of the Circenses commentaries will be chosen to be used in the "Intermessio" and may be positioned elsewhere in the commentaries as well. Those chosen to appear in the commentaries will also be entered in the contest for the winning prize.

The skits should be written in a scenario incorporating characteristics of Roman comedy for entertaining other Romans. For example street entertainers, puppet shows, mimes, an orator or a Roman theatrical production. Or even a skit that we weave into the fabric of the panorama of the Circenses, for example Livia posted a descriptive scenario a short while back about a small group of Novi Romani going back in time to the Republic, or even an acting troupe from a far away provincia coming to attend the Ludi. Other possibilities include Atellan farces (burlesque type parody), satire, jugglers, acrobatics, solo musicians, solo dancers and on and on.

The final entries chosen will be judged by the Aedilician Jury based on humor, dialogue and subject matter after the Ludi is over and then the results will be announced.

Ludi Circenses: Chariot Race

The Chariot Race for this year's Ludi Romani featured 14 chariots from three of the Nova Roman racing teams: Russata, Albata and Veneta (Præsina did not enter any chariots) The races wwere be structured in four quarterfinals, one semifinal and one final. The starting grids (listed as chariot | driver | owner | TEAM) and the winners for all of these races are listed below.

First Quarterfinal

Lane I: Tempestas Noctis | Nicodemus the Thracian | Statia Cornelia Æternia | VENETA

Lane II: Drunas | Nervia | P. Memmius Albucius | ALBATA

Lane III: Germania | Antropophagus | D. Arminius Brutus | RUSSATA

Lane IV: Prima Lux | Vitus | L. Julia Aquila | ALBATA

Drunas is the winner, Tempestas Noctis is second. Both of these move on to the First Semifinal; Prima Lux (3rd) and Germania (4th) are eliminated. The full account of this race may be read here.

Second Quarterfinal

Lane I: Luxogenes | Eporicus | P. Memmius Albucius | ALBATA

Lane II: Fulminata | Lucius Furius | A. Vitellius Celsus | RUSSATA

Lane III: Furor Teutonicus | Ulfias Gothus | C. Tullius Valerianus Germanicus |VENETA

Lane IV: Lusitania | Ducaliter | C. Cocceius Spinula | RUSSATA

Fulminata is the winner, Lusitania is second. They move on to the First Semifinal. Furor Teutonicus (3rd) and Luxogenes (4th) are eliminated. The full account of this race, and of the Third Semifinal (below), may be read here.

Third Quarterfinal

Lane I: Ventrus Albus | Hermannus | C. Maria Cæca | ALBATA

Lane II: Rubidea | Barbarufa | M. Arminius Maior | RUSSATA

Lane III: Vita Brevis | Aoife of the Silures | L. Julia Aquila/Cn. Equitius Marinus (loan) | VENETA

Lane IV: Fulgor Castrensi | Micaelus Calceolaris | C. Aquillius Rota | RUSSATA (Guest)

Ventrus Albus is the winner, Vita Brevis is second. They move on to the Second Semifinal. Rubidea (3rd) and Fulgor Castrensi (4th) are eliminated, thus depriving the Russata team of all of their entries for these Ludi.

Fourth Quarterfinal

This is a special race featuring two chariots driven by excellent drivers.

Lane I: Incitatus | Stolo | C. Petronius Dexter | VENETA

Lane II: Procella Nivosa | Arienrhod | C. Maria Cæca | ALBATA

Procella Nivosa wins and moves on to the Second Semifinal, Incitatus is eliminated. The full account of this race may be read here.

First Semifinal

Lane I: Drunas | Nervia | P. Memmius Albucius | ALBATA

Lane II: Tempestas Noctis | Nicodemus the Thracian | Statia Cornelia Æternia | VENETA

Lane III: Luxogenes | Eporicus | P. Memmius Albucius | ALBATA

Lane IV: Fulminata | Lucius Furius | A. Vitellius Celsus | RUSSATA

Tempestas Noctis is the winner, Drunas is second. They move on to the Final. Drunas (3rd) and Fulminata (4th) are eliminated. The full account of both Semifinals (this one and the Second Semifinal, listed below) may be read here.

Second Semifinal

Lane I: Ventrus Albus | Hermannus | C. Maria Cæca | ALBATA

Lane II: Vita Brevis | Aoife of the Silures | L. Julia Aquila/Cn. Equitius Marinus (loan) | VENETA

Lane III: Incitatus | Stolo | C. Petronius Dexter | VENETA

Ventrus Albus is the winner, Vita Brevis is second. They move on to the Final. Incitatus is eliminated.

Final