There are a few assignments up for grabs for the Acta team, as well as some already assigned. Here is the breakdown:
Assignments Claimed:
Angelia - Acta Assistant Editor, Collegia Festival News, Advertisement Editor
Spaci - Acta Editor-in-Chief, Real Roman History, Festival Interviews Chief, Astrology
Zelda - Curiate Assembly Reporter
Tonina - Latin Word of the Day
Peter - Roleplay Events Reporter
Serafina Itano - Book Reviewer
1 reporter needed:
? - Legion Reporter
Multiple Team Members needed for each:
? - Acta Assistant Editors
? - Subura New Resident Interviews
? - ROMA Daily News and Events
? - ROMA Spot of the Month
? - Festival Reporters
? - Book Reviewers
Assignment Descriptions:
Acta Editor-in-Chief - runs the show, collects and edits all submitted articles and formats them into the Acta ROMA publication
Acta Assistant Editors - fills in for the Editor-in-Chief when required
Collegia Festival News - upcoming festival history and schedule
Advertisement Editor - collects, edits, and posts advertisements from ROMA Market merchants
Real Roman History - short articles written on real events in Roman history
Festival Interviews Chief - assigns reporters to cover festival events (in the event no one volunteers)
Astrology - short articles on monthly astrological signs
Curiate Assembly Reporter - short articles written on the doings at the Curiate Assembly, first-hand accounts
Latin Word of the Day - short article on an interesting Latin word, it's meaning, and pronunciation
Roleplay Events Reporter - short articles about Roleplay happenings in ROMA
Legion Reporter - short articles on Legion events and announcements
Subura New Resident Interviews - short personal interviews with ROMA's newest Subura residents (to introduce them to the Citizens, get to know them a little, and make them feel welcome)
ROMA Daily News and Events - exactly what the title implies: important news and events that don't have their own section
ROMA Spot of the Month - short articles on interesting or little known spots in ROMA
Festival Reporters - short 5 question interviews with event attendees regarding the event (up to 4 seperate interviews)
Book Reviewers - short book reports on Roman-related/Ancient world related literature, both fiction and non
If you are interested in taking on any of these assignments, please post in the comments section
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Felix Sit Annus Novus!
FELIX SIT ANNUS NOVUS!
A Happy New Year from All of Us to All of You!
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man". - Benjamin Franklin
A Happy New Year from All of Us to All of You!
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man". - Benjamin Franklin
LATIN WORD of the DAY by Nina Tiberia
Tempus fugit = Time flies
tempus, oris, n. = time
fugere = to run away from, to escape (fugit = 3rd person
singular present = he, she , it flies, flees. escapes)
"Tempus fugit" is a latin expression meaning "Time flees", more commonly translated as "Time flies".
It is frequently used as an inscription on clocks, very much also on sundials.
The expression was first recorded in the poem "Georgics" written by the roman poet Virgil:
" Sed fugit interea fugit irreparabile tempus, singula dum capti circumvectamur amore",
which means
"But meanwhile it flees: time flees irretrievably, while we wander around, prisoners of our love of detail."
tempus, oris, n. = time
fugere = to run away from, to escape (fugit = 3rd person
singular present = he, she , it flies, flees. escapes)
"Tempus fugit" is a latin expression meaning "Time flees", more commonly translated as "Time flies".
It is frequently used as an inscription on clocks, very much also on sundials.
The expression was first recorded in the poem "Georgics" written by the roman poet Virgil:
" Sed fugit interea fugit irreparabile tempus, singula dum capti circumvectamur amore",
which means
"But meanwhile it flees: time flees irretrievably, while we wander around, prisoners of our love of detail."
TIME by Spaciva Ivanova
DID YOU KNOW......
Time, time on our hands, too much time, never enough time, time flies, will this interminable time ever end? We've all said it, too fast, too slow, somehow time seems as though it never moves in a steady rhythmic flow. Well, once upon a time -pardon the pun- we weren't so passive with time's... passage. We took the clock by the hands and stretched it and squeezed it to fit our daily wants. When we wanted to enjoy the long summer days, we simply made the 'day' longer. We would stretch the daylight hour from the familiar 60 to as many as 75 minutes. And when it was time for the short winter days... the petite 45 minutes completed an 'hour' just fine, thank you. It seems though, at the time not everyone agreed on the time. As Seneca once wrote; it's 'easier for two philosophers to agree than two clocks.'
There was the same casual, or perhaps controlling, attitude toward the number of days in a month.
The pontifices, members of the council of priests in ancient Rome, were in charge of the calendar and since the pontifices were often politicians and the Roman calendar year defined the term of office of elected officials, the Pontifex Maximus would have reason to lengthen a year in which he or his friends were in power. Or he may choose to shorten the term of his opponents. (wiki)
These 'time trials' worked for awhile, sort of. Occasionally the Pontifex Maximus would step in and 'repair' the seasons with an intercalation. That is, he would insert a day, week or month(s) into the calendar in order to match the seasons with the dates. No more Saturnalia in September.
Then, along came Gaius Julius Caesar. That stickler for order, that general of routine, that meddler in time.
Well, he would have none of this harvesting crops in March, planting in December. He was going to fix the problem once and for all. He gave us the Julian Calendar.
Every year would have the same number of days, 365, with a 'leap day' added to February every four years. Julius officially declared January 1st to begin the new year. Until now March 1st had been counted as the 1st day. But, to get his new calendar kick-started, he needed to do some serious intercalation with the present year. Julius' good buddy, Sosigenes of Alexandria, the great astronomer and mathematician who was assisting him with the details of the new calendar, recommended stre-e-e-tching this year and starting fresh with the next. And, since Julius held the consulship for the year and was Pontifex Maximus, he thought it was a good idea too. The year; 46BC or, as it will come to be known, the 'Annus Confusionis' - the 'year of confusion'. The year had 445 days!. Truly, the longest year in history. "Oh, will this year NEVER end?" muttered the members of the senate!
Finally, it was time for the New Year. The year 45BC and the birth of the Julian Calendar which was to last universally over 1500 years and in some places is still the preferred measure of time.
And that's the way it was! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Time, time on our hands, too much time, never enough time, time flies, will this interminable time ever end? We've all said it, too fast, too slow, somehow time seems as though it never moves in a steady rhythmic flow. Well, once upon a time -pardon the pun- we weren't so passive with time's... passage. We took the clock by the hands and stretched it and squeezed it to fit our daily wants. When we wanted to enjoy the long summer days, we simply made the 'day' longer. We would stretch the daylight hour from the familiar 60 to as many as 75 minutes. And when it was time for the short winter days... the petite 45 minutes completed an 'hour' just fine, thank you. It seems though, at the time not everyone agreed on the time. As Seneca once wrote; it's 'easier for two philosophers to agree than two clocks.'
There was the same casual, or perhaps controlling, attitude toward the number of days in a month.
The pontifices, members of the council of priests in ancient Rome, were in charge of the calendar and since the pontifices were often politicians and the Roman calendar year defined the term of office of elected officials, the Pontifex Maximus would have reason to lengthen a year in which he or his friends were in power. Or he may choose to shorten the term of his opponents. (wiki)
These 'time trials' worked for awhile, sort of. Occasionally the Pontifex Maximus would step in and 'repair' the seasons with an intercalation. That is, he would insert a day, week or month(s) into the calendar in order to match the seasons with the dates. No more Saturnalia in September.
Then, along came Gaius Julius Caesar. That stickler for order, that general of routine, that meddler in time.
Well, he would have none of this harvesting crops in March, planting in December. He was going to fix the problem once and for all. He gave us the Julian Calendar.
Every year would have the same number of days, 365, with a 'leap day' added to February every four years. Julius officially declared January 1st to begin the new year. Until now March 1st had been counted as the 1st day. But, to get his new calendar kick-started, he needed to do some serious intercalation with the present year. Julius' good buddy, Sosigenes of Alexandria, the great astronomer and mathematician who was assisting him with the details of the new calendar, recommended stre-e-e-tching this year and starting fresh with the next. And, since Julius held the consulship for the year and was Pontifex Maximus, he thought it was a good idea too. The year; 46BC or, as it will come to be known, the 'Annus Confusionis' - the 'year of confusion'. The year had 445 days!. Truly, the longest year in history. "Oh, will this year NEVER end?" muttered the members of the senate!
Finally, it was time for the New Year. The year 45BC and the birth of the Julian Calendar which was to last universally over 1500 years and in some places is still the preferred measure of time.
And that's the way it was! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
BOOK REVIEW by Serafina Itano
JUVENAL
Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis
-Satires-
Compared to coeval authors like Suetonius, Tacitus or Plinius Secundus, Juvenals literary output was quite small. His fame is in fact based on just 16 poems of different length, written in dactylic hexameter and simply called Satires, the name of the genre in which they were written. The poems are divided between five books, numbered but not individually titled, therefor translators have often added titles for the convenience of readers. The satires deal with different topics which offer an insight into the everyday life of the Romans during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Juvenal exercises a pitiless, pessimistic, but linguistically and stylistically often excellent criticism of all social classes, the roman manners, institutions and the state of the Empire. Juvenal's objects of ridicule are Domitian and his court, the nobility, the arrogance of the armed forces, the sinful city life, debauchery, gluttony, greediness.
So what's the conclusion? The poems are sometimes invidious, sometimes bitchy but always a vicious fun to read! Some people may prefer the elegant style of Ovid or Virgil but the more wicked reader will be satisfied by the satires. I am and therefor thumbs up for Juvenal.
Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis
-Satires-
Compared to coeval authors like Suetonius, Tacitus or Plinius Secundus, Juvenals literary output was quite small. His fame is in fact based on just 16 poems of different length, written in dactylic hexameter and simply called Satires, the name of the genre in which they were written. The poems are divided between five books, numbered but not individually titled, therefor translators have often added titles for the convenience of readers. The satires deal with different topics which offer an insight into the everyday life of the Romans during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Juvenal exercises a pitiless, pessimistic, but linguistically and stylistically often excellent criticism of all social classes, the roman manners, institutions and the state of the Empire. Juvenal's objects of ridicule are Domitian and his court, the nobility, the arrogance of the armed forces, the sinful city life, debauchery, gluttony, greediness.
So what's the conclusion? The poems are sometimes invidious, sometimes bitchy but always a vicious fun to read! Some people may prefer the elegant style of Ovid or Virgil but the more wicked reader will be satisfied by the satires. I am and therefor thumbs up for Juvenal.
LEGIO XIII GLADIUS DEATHMATCH by Petrus Cornelius Silvanus
The editors of the Acta asked me to speak about my victory in that contest. I am not used to bragging about myself so I will speak about the event as a whole and it sure was exciting! I will, however, speak from my personal and emotional point of view.
First of all I must congratulate decanus Ragark Tiberius Julius, who organized the event, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the greatest tournaments, worthy of the presence of our Emperor Julian Augustus. The duels took place in a suspended cage, so that duelists could not evade the blows and the public could easily follow the matches. The final duels were in a ring of evil spikes, so that the contenders had to avoid retreating too much or risk being wounded by them.
There was an outsider in the previsions of the bookmakers: the new recruit Tavros, from Hispaniensis. I had few matches with him before the event so I was a bit concerned meeting him. Another surprise was the former optio Alexius Sejanus Minotaur, possibly the best blade of Roma when he was in the legio. The gods were not with me on this one. But the real thrill for me was represented by Senator Enamabala who, in the two duels I had with him, came very near to killing me! The duel between our optiones, my cousin Revus and Megara, an equuis against an amazon, was really epic and sent the public in delirium! I am almost sure that duel actually helped me. When the time came for Megara to challenge me, she was already extremely tired from the previous fights (one of which was with the aforementioned Tavros) and so the gods favored my humble person.
All the duels were very remarkable in terms of style and courage and our glorious Legio well earned the praise of the Emperor and of the applause of the public.
HOW the URBS HAVE CHANGED by Petrus Cornelius Silvanus
After having restructured the Mercati Trajani, our wise praefectus worked on the remake of the Macellum, the part of the market nearest to Subura. Now the 2 parts are in a very Roman style and they match each other very well. They can be considered now almost an unique area, in spite of the river.
To better understand the feelings of the people living and working there, we interviewed Pompeo, the slave/clerk of a shop that was in the old Macellum and who now works in the new one.
Interviewer: Do you think it's better now, Pompeo?
P: Ah absolutely yes, domine, our merchandise was spread out over three different places before, and now it is all displayed in a bigger, nicer place. Much less stress. Before I was always running here and there and trying to remember where some particular object was!
I: Are the people really visiting the new areas?
P: Yes indeed! Partly out of curiousity for the novelty, partly because the goods are better displayed and one can see them better.
I: Is it true that there are new brands in the market?
P: Well... my masters, dominus Sejanus in particular, would whip me if they thought that I was promoting another shop, but it is true... look up there... yes where you see that pottery... it is an entirely new shop.
I: Did you have any trouble in transferring the items from the old places in the new one?
P: (massaging his back) Well we had to do it all in one night and quite rapidly but... the satisfaction of seeing how much better the things are now displayed makes it worth the effort!
I: May I ask you a personal question?
P: Sure.
I: Will you vote for the actual Praefectus in the new elections?
P, Laughing: I am a slave, domine so I cannot vote. But my masters certainly will, may the gods bless them all!
I: Thank you very much Pompeo, I leave you to your work, IO Saturnalia!
P: Vale domine, IO Saturnalia!
Astrology Jan 1 2011
CAPRICORN ~ 22 December - 20 January
Capricorn (♑) is the tenth sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. In western astrology, this sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession_%28astronomy%29)
Element - Earth
Ruling Planet - Saturn
Symbol - Sea Goat
Birthstone - Garnet
Introvert
The constellation Capricorn represents the tenth Zodiac sign. According to Greek mythology, Capricorn is portrayed as a fish-tailed goat, Amaltheia, who nursed the baby Zeus who was in hiding from his evil father Cronos. Zeus became lord of the Gods and took one of Capricorn’s horns which came to be known as cornucopia, the horn of plenty. The horn was said to abound with whatever fortune its owner desired. Amaltheia was rewarded with a place in the heavens by Zeus.
Capricornus (or Capricorn) is usually translated as "The Sea Goat". It literally means horned goat. The constellation is ancient, and was one of the earliest members of the zodiac.
The practical and prudent Capricorn sun sign will be the first to tell you if your new idea just does not make common sense. They are great refiners, taking people creative ideas and fine tuning them, adding direction and practical application.
http://www.astrology-insight.com/capricorn.htm
Capricorn (♑) is the tenth sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. In western astrology, this sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession_%28astronomy%29)
Element - Earth
Ruling Planet - Saturn
Symbol - Sea Goat
Birthstone - Garnet
Introvert
The constellation Capricorn represents the tenth Zodiac sign. According to Greek mythology, Capricorn is portrayed as a fish-tailed goat, Amaltheia, who nursed the baby Zeus who was in hiding from his evil father Cronos. Zeus became lord of the Gods and took one of Capricorn’s horns which came to be known as cornucopia, the horn of plenty. The horn was said to abound with whatever fortune its owner desired. Amaltheia was rewarded with a place in the heavens by Zeus.
Capricornus (or Capricorn) is usually translated as "The Sea Goat". It literally means horned goat. The constellation is ancient, and was one of the earliest members of the zodiac.
The practical and prudent Capricorn sun sign will be the first to tell you if your new idea just does not make common sense. They are great refiners, taking people creative ideas and fine tuning them, adding direction and practical application.
http://www.astrology-insight.com/capricorn.htm
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
For Dec 15th issue of Acta
poem for solstice
Winter Solstice
Like a vagabondthe sun straggles to the south.
The geese follow. Winds
fill the empty spaces and fear rises
like a ghost from summer's ashes.
In woods I find again the ancient tokens:
the Ivy, the Holly, the Mistletoe.
The hollyberries are our blood,
the green is Her enduring flesh,
the white is what we cannot see.
Savoring the wine of summers past,
I wonder what will sustain us between lives..
~~ William J. Wilson,
For Dec 15th issue of Acta
Io Saturnalia !
The Greek Libanius wrote,
"The impulse to spend seizes everyone. He who the whole year through has taken pleasure in saving and piling up his pence, becomes suddenly extravagant.
People are not only generous toward themselves, but also toward their fellow-men. A stream of presents pours itself out on all sides.
The festival banishes all that is connected with toil. From the minds of young people it removes... the dread of the schoolmaster... Another great quality of the festival is that it teaches men not to hold too fast to their money, but to part with it and let it pass into other hands."
(My, how things have changed...... NOT!)
Why do we perpetuate these traditions of the universal feast and its practices that have been handed down from primitive man? Because they answer needs that are basic to mankind. The need to be thankful, the need to celebrate life and the need to be assured we will have continuing good fortune in the year to come.
And so as we pile our tables high with food and drink to honor Saturn, god of sowing, we will pray that it persuades him to make the seeds sprout and the long, warm sunny days return.
We wish you one and all Io Saturnalia!~
The Greek Libanius
"The impulse to spend seizes everyone. He who the whole year through has taken pleasure in saving and piling up his pence, becomes suddenly extravagant.
People are not only generous toward themselves, but also toward their fellow-men. A stream of presents pours itself out on all sides.
The festival banishes all that is connected with toil. From the minds of young people it removes... the dread of the schoolmaster... Another great quality of the festival is that it teaches men not to hold too fast to their money, but to part with it and let it pass into other hands."
(My, how things have changed...... NOT!)
Why do we perpetuate these traditions of the universal feast and its practices that have been handed down from primitive man? Because they answer needs that are basic to mankind. The need to be thankful, the need to celebrate life and the need to be assured we will have continuing good fortune in the year to come.
And so as we pile our tables high with food and drink to honor Saturn, god of sowing, we will pray that it persuades him to make the seeds sprout and the long, warm sunny days return.
We wish you one and all Io Saturnalia!~
For Report of Curiate Assembly - Dec 15th issue of Acta
REPORT OF CURIATE ASSEMBLY: NOVEMBER 28, 2010
by Senator Zelda Walpole
November Curiate Assembly saved a lot of good news for our Citizens.
The big and good surprise is that Roma has four brave and great new Estate Managers to help Torin Golding in the management of our Sim: Maali Beck (Princeps Senatus), Achille Back (Legio XIII Gemina Officer), Peter Woody (Praetor Scaenae and Ludorum Editor) and Alekso Minotaur (Ludorum Editor). They will help to take care of Roma, keep strong the connection between Roma Groups and take out specific responsabilities, as great Officiers of our more active groups.
I leave out details about the state of the Sim (that is really better than before: 90% of plots rented in Subura) to say that we will soon (in the middle of December) have a totally restyled Macellum building, similar to the new Trajan's Market, to which it will be connected with a bridge. The new Macellum could bring more traffic to Merchants and will certainly look wonderful as all of our Praefectus' buildings.
Even if estate of the Sim is getting better, some Citizens remembered how to help Roma finances: pay Latrina taxes (suggestion of Liza Brandenburg), support Lucretia in the Tavern (sugg. of Melanippe Karas), donate through Maritima Boxes and Plaza Fountain (sugg. of Torin Golding).
About Saturnalia planning, our December festival (ancestor in some ways of Christmas), Melanippe Karas, Representative of Collegia, suggested snow themed events and gifts exchange.
Then a Citizen (Gare Claven) wanted to share with us how much he admires the impressive iron discipline of our great Legio XIII Gemina.
Thinking about the good participation in the First Latin Lesson, Senator Zelda Walpole asked if it was possible to focus again on cultural events: she could do on her own Latin Literature lessons and all can encourage to play again original tragedies or comedies in our wonderful Dionysus' Theater.
At the end, Spaciva Ivanova, our Acta Roma Officer, suggested to pick up the Acta, in a word our newsletter...that is what you are reading now! The proposal was very well received and Princeps Senatus encouraged to help Spaciva with Acta.
Last words of the Assembly was of our Princeps Senatus, Maali Beck: "This meeting is adjourned!"
So ended the second meeting we had in the new Curia.
by Senator Zelda Walpole
November Curiate Assembly saved a lot of good news for our Citizens.
The big and good surprise is that Roma has four brave and great new Estate Managers to help Torin Golding in the management of our Sim: Maali Beck (Princeps Senatus), Achille Back (Legio XIII Gemina Officer), Peter Woody (Praetor Scaenae and Ludorum Editor) and Alekso Minotaur (Ludorum Editor). They will help to take care of Roma, keep strong the connection between Roma Groups and take out specific responsabilities, as great Officiers of our more active groups.
I leave out details about the state of the Sim (that is really better than before: 90% of plots rented in Subura) to say that we will soon (in the middle of December) have a totally restyled Macellum building, similar to the new Trajan's Market, to which it will be connected with a bridge. The new Macellum could bring more traffic to Merchants and will certainly look wonderful as all of our Praefectus' buildings.
Even if estate of the Sim is getting better, some Citizens remembered how to help Roma finances: pay Latrina taxes (suggestion of Liza Brandenburg), support Lucretia in the Tavern (sugg. of Melanippe Karas), donate through Maritima Boxes and Plaza Fountain (sugg. of Torin Golding).
About Saturnalia planning, our December festival (ancestor in some ways of Christmas), Melanippe Karas, Representative of Collegia, suggested snow themed events and gifts exchange.
Then a Citizen (Gare Claven) wanted to share with us how much he admires the impressive iron discipline of our great Legio XIII Gemina.
Thinking about the good participation in the First Latin Lesson, Senator Zelda Walpole asked if it was possible to focus again on cultural events: she could do on her own Latin Literature lessons and all can encourage to play again original tragedies or comedies in our wonderful Dionysus' Theater.
At the end, Spaciva Ivanova, our Acta Roma Officer, suggested to pick up the Acta, in a word our newsletter...that is what you are reading now! The proposal was very well received and Princeps Senatus encouraged to help Spaciva with Acta.
Last words of the Assembly was of our Princeps Senatus, Maali Beck: "This meeting is adjourned!"
So ended the second meeting we had in the new Curia.
For Festival Events section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
Saturnalia Subura Domus Tour
December at 1.30 PM SLT
Tuesday, 14 Dec 2010 19:58:58 GMT
On 18 December at 1.30 pm SLT come and enjoy our Saturnalia decorations in Subura houses! Senators Zelda Walpole and Ragark Fiertze will lead you through our wonderful Subura and show some of the most beautifully decorated domus of Roma. This is the chance not only to chat and drink some wine together, but also to see houses usually not open to all citizens.
If you would like to show your decorated domus send a notecard to Zelda Walpole before 17th December.
See you around Subura streets! Io Saturnalia!
December at 1.30 PM SLT
Tuesday, 14 Dec 2010 19:58:58 GMT
On 18 December at 1.30 pm SLT come and enjoy our Saturnalia decorations in Subura houses! Senators Zelda Walpole and Ragark Fiertze will lead you through our wonderful Subura and show some of the most beautifully decorated domus of Roma. This is the chance not only to chat and drink some wine together, but also to see houses usually not open to all citizens.
If you would like to show your decorated domus send a notecard to Zelda Walpole before 17th December.
See you around Subura streets! Io Saturnalia!
For Festival Events section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
DECEMBER FESTIVAL - SATURNALIA
by the Vestalis Maxima
Our December festival is the Saturnalia - the original Saturnalia was the winter solstice festival in Rome. It involved the conventional sacrifices, a couch set out in front of the temple of Saturn and the untying of the ropes that bound the statue of Saturn during the rest of the year. Besides the public rites there were a series of holidays and customs celebrated privately. A Saturnalicius princeps was elected master of ceremonies for the proceedings.
The celebrations included the making and giving of small presents and a special market. Many of the decorations involved greenery - swathes, garlands, wreaths, etc - being hung over doorways and windows, and ornamenting stairs. Ornaments in the trees included sun symbols, stars, and faces of the God Janus (who looked toward both the past and the future, having two faces). Trees were not brought indoors (the Germans started that tradition), but decorated where they grew.
People were just as likely to be ornamented as the trees. Wearing greenery and jewelry of a sacred nature was common. Gambling was allowed for all, even slaves (however, although it was officially condoned only during this period, one should not assume that it was rare or much remarked on during the rest of the year). It was a time to eat, drink, and be merry. The toga was not worn, but rather colorful, informal "dinner clothes", and the pileus (freedman's hat) was worn by everyone. Slaves were exempt from punishment, and treated their masters with disrespect. The slaves celebrated a banquet: before, with, or served by the masters.
Saturnalia became one of the most popular Roman festivals which led to more role-reversal, marked chiefly by having masters and slaves ostensibly switch places (only symbolically - slaves weren't really free to make a freedman's decisions and anything they did or decreed would reverse at the end of Saturnalia). It was license within careful boundaries - it reversed the social order without subverting it. The customary greeting for the occasion is "Io, Saturnalia!" "Io" being a Latin interjection related to "ho" (as in "Ho, praise to Saturn").
***Festival Schedule***
17th Dec. :
Ave Weekend Party - 12pm (Noon)
Saturnalia Latin Lessons - 1pm
18th Dec. :
Saturnalia Ritual & Tavern Celebration - 10am
Saturnalia Snowman Building Contest - 12pm (Noon)
Subura Domus Deco Walking Tour & Feast- 1:30pm
19th Dec. :
Saturnalia Ice Skating Party - 11am
Saturnalia Sleigh Races - 12pm (Noon)
Legion XIII's Saturnalia Gladius Deathmatch - 1pm
Saturnalia Grand Feast - 4pm
(Grand Feast includes Trivia Contest and Saturnalia Gift Exchange)
For more detailed info on events - see the schedule posted in the Tabularium
by the Vestalis Maxima
Our December festival is the Saturnalia - the original Saturnalia was the winter solstice festival in Rome. It involved the conventional sacrifices, a couch set out in front of the temple of Saturn and the untying of the ropes that bound the statue of Saturn during the rest of the year. Besides the public rites there were a series of holidays and customs celebrated privately. A Saturnalicius princeps was elected master of ceremonies for the proceedings.
The celebrations included the making and giving of small presents and a special market. Many of the decorations involved greenery - swathes, garlands, wreaths, etc - being hung over doorways and windows, and ornamenting stairs. Ornaments in the trees included sun symbols, stars, and faces of the God Janus (who looked toward both the past and the future, having two faces). Trees were not brought indoors (the Germans started that tradition), but decorated where they grew.
People were just as likely to be ornamented as the trees. Wearing greenery and jewelry of a sacred nature was common. Gambling was allowed for all, even slaves (however, although it was officially condoned only during this period, one should not assume that it was rare or much remarked on during the rest of the year). It was a time to eat, drink, and be merry. The toga was not worn, but rather colorful, informal "dinner clothes", and the pileus (freedman's hat) was worn by everyone. Slaves were exempt from punishment, and treated their masters with disrespect. The slaves celebrated a banquet: before, with, or served by the masters.
Saturnalia became one of the most popular Roman festivals which led to more role-reversal, marked chiefly by having masters and slaves ostensibly switch places (only symbolically - slaves weren't really free to make a freedman's decisions and anything they did or decreed would reverse at the end of Saturnalia). It was license within careful boundaries - it reversed the social order without subverting it. The customary greeting for the occasion is "Io, Saturnalia!" "Io" being a Latin interjection related to "ho" (as in "Ho, praise to Saturn").
***Festival Schedule***
17th Dec. :
Ave Weekend Party - 12pm (Noon)
Saturnalia Latin Lessons - 1pm
18th Dec. :
Saturnalia Ritual & Tavern Celebration - 10am
Saturnalia Snowman Building Contest - 12pm (Noon)
Subura Domus Deco Walking Tour & Feast- 1:30pm
19th Dec. :
Saturnalia Ice Skating Party - 11am
Saturnalia Sleigh Races - 12pm (Noon)
Legion XIII's Saturnalia Gladius Deathmatch - 1pm
Saturnalia Grand Feast - 4pm
(Grand Feast includes Trivia Contest and Saturnalia Gift Exchange)
For more detailed info on events - see the schedule posted in the Tabularium
Monday, December 13, 2010
For ROMA Daily News and Events section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
Latin Classes In ROMA
Recently Magistrae Zelda Walpole and Tonina Rodenberger started a basic Latin lesson in Roma SPQR.
Here you can read a short summary about what was taught in the first lesson:
Latin is an inflected language. In other words, the meaning and function of each word, especially nouns, adjectives and verbs, varies based on its endings.
Whereas english derives meaning from word order ("Man bites dog" and "Dog bites man" mean entirely different things) Latin may place the words in any order but the endings of the words make sentence meaning clear.
Latin nouns are sorted into 5 declensions.
Flecting a noun (and that also includes names) or an adjective is called "to decline".
It is also important to know, that every latin noun has its gender, either masculine or feminine or neuter.
Latin nouns are sorted into 5 declensions and we learned about the
1st (a-) -declension, that its nouns end on -a in nominative singular and that most of them are feminine.
Example: rosa = The rose, a rose
2nd (o-) -declension, that the masculine nouns of this declension end on -us in nominative singular.
Example: servus = the slave, a slave
Verbs
Flecting a verb we call "to conjugate".
Latin verbs are sorted into 5 conjugations.
Each Latin verb, depending on its spelling, falls under one of these categories. From there a verb can be conjugated into tenses such as present, imperfect, future I, perfect, plusquamperfect and future II
and the ending also tells us who is doing something or to whom something is done.
Our first latin lesson taught us, that the 1st person singular present (he,she,it) is expressed by the ending -t.
Example: sedet = he/she/it sits
rogat = he/she/it asks
Look forward to the next lesson. Keep in mind what you learned so far and, well, dont forget to learn your vocabulary! ;-)
Recently Magistrae Zelda Walpole and Tonina Rodenberger started a basic Latin lesson in Roma SPQR.
Here you can read a short summary about what was taught in the first lesson:
Latin is an inflected language. In other words, the meaning and function of each word, especially nouns, adjectives and verbs, varies based on its endings.
Whereas english derives meaning from word order ("Man bites dog" and "Dog bites man" mean entirely different things) Latin may place the words in any order but the endings of the words make sentence meaning clear.
Latin nouns are sorted into 5 declensions.
Flecting a noun (and that also includes names) or an adjective is called "to decline".
It is also important to know, that every latin noun has its gender, either masculine or feminine or neuter.
Latin nouns are sorted into 5 declensions and we learned about the
1st (a-) -declension, that its nouns end on -a in nominative singular and that most of them are feminine.
Example: rosa = The rose, a rose
2nd (o-) -declension, that the masculine nouns of this declension end on -us in nominative singular.
Example: servus = the slave, a slave
Verbs
Flecting a verb we call "to conjugate".
Latin verbs are sorted into 5 conjugations.
Each Latin verb, depending on its spelling, falls under one of these categories. From there a verb can be conjugated into tenses such as present, imperfect, future I, perfect, plusquamperfect and future II
and the ending also tells us who is doing something or to whom something is done.
Our first latin lesson taught us, that the 1st person singular present (he,she,it) is expressed by the ending -t.
Example: sedet = he/she/it sits
rogat = he/she/it asks
Look forward to the next lesson. Keep in mind what you learned so far and, well, dont forget to learn your vocabulary! ;-)
For Latin Phrase of the day section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
Latin Phrase of the Day:
Qod licet Iovi, non licet bovi.
quod here: what (relative pronoun 1st pers. singular neuter)
licet it is allowed
Iovis Jupiter (Iovi = dative)
bos, bovis, masc. bull, ox (bovi = dative singular)
"Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi" is a Latin phrase, litterally meaning "What is legitimate for Jove (Jupiter) is not legitimate for oxen".
The phrase was created by Terence, a playwright of the Roman Republic in reference to the myth wherein Jupiter took the form of a bull to seduce Europa.
The phrase is often translated as "Gods may do what cattle may not".
It indicates the existence of a double standard (justifiable or otherwise), and essentially means "what is permitted to one person or a group, is not permitted to everyone".
Qod licet Iovi, non licet bovi.
quod here: what (relative pronoun 1st pers. singular neuter)
licet it is allowed
Iovis Jupiter (Iovi = dative)
bos, bovis, masc. bull, ox (bovi = dative singular)
"Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi" is a Latin phrase, litterally meaning "What is legitimate for Jove (Jupiter) is not legitimate for oxen".
The phrase was created by Terence, a playwright of the Roman Republic in reference to the myth wherein Jupiter took the form of a bull to seduce Europa.
The phrase is often translated as "Gods may do what cattle may not".
It indicates the existence of a double standard (justifiable or otherwise), and essentially means "what is permitted to one person or a group, is not permitted to everyone".
For Roleplay section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
OOC REPORT ABOUT THE ROLEPLAY NEWS
Many things have happened in ROMA'S roleplay this year. Here are a few of the notices from throughout the year discussing the changes;
Many things have happened in ROMA'S roleplay this year. Here are a few of the notices from throughout the year discussing the changes;
1) Closing the Theatrum Romanum site
This was an unhappy necessity but gave us the opportunity to reorganize and consolidate the contents in a new space. This is the message board of "romacitizen", the "Theatrum" section: http://romacitizens.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=theatrum
2) reorganizing the romacitizens messageboard
In the message board, the news about the roleplay was spread over several sub and sub-sub boards, surely too many. Some of them will be deleted in the next days, to allow the roleplayer to find the news more easily. For instance, to know the character history of an avatar, you will consult a unique sub-board where a dozen stories are already posted: http://romacitizens.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=stories
And in the future you will be able to consult them even while roleplaying. They will be listed alphabetically.
3) updating the personal character stories
We want you to utilize the above mentioned sub-board as a practical instrument to better your roleplay. So please send your updated ones to peter Woody, the moderator if you want be an active member of the group. You can do it also in form of note, inworld. If you need to discuss its contents, please do that with him or with another praetor scaenae. To allow you to retrieve your old story, the closure of the old sub-boards will be delayed until 31st of December.
those sub boards are:
All the roleplayers are invited to keep in mind their personal stories and behave consequently when roleplaying: submitting the stories is not a bureaucratic procedure, it is the food of the play.
4) reorganizing the theatrum romanum group
We need new blood for roleplaying (no, we are not vampires) so we decided to simplify the access to the group. It is no more invitation only, all avatars can join for free, but with a "guest" tag. So even a shy player, unsure of his/her ability to roleplay, can match him/herself with us in a sort of trial period. Then, after that decide to join fully, choosing a roman name and discussing with the praetores his or her character history, so that he/she can achieve the ROMA ROLEPLAYER tag.
The distinction between patrician, plebs and foreigner will be eliminated in the future.
5) changing the day
After a discussion with the estate managers, it has been decided to move the official roleplay time to Saturdays at 1 PM SLT, to allow more people to join. The slot of Wednesday is still available for special events. The meeting point, when not specified in group notices, is the tavern. On the 1st floor you can find a board where any interesting news will be posted.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
For Astrology Section - Dec 15th issue of Acta
CAPRICORN ~ 22 December - 20 January
Capricorn (♑) is the tenth sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. In western astrology, this sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession_%28astronomy%29)
Element - Earth
Ruling Planet - Saturn
Symbol - Sea Goat
Birthstone - Garnet
Introvert
The constellation Capricorn represents the tenth Zodiac sign. According to Greek mythology, Capricorn is portrayed as a fish-tailed goat, Amaltheia, who nursed the baby Zeus who was in hiding from his evil father Cronos. Zeus became lord of the Gods and took one of Capricorn’s horns which came to be known as cornucopia, the horn of plenty. The horn was said to abound with whatever fortune its owner desired. Amaltheia was rewarded with a place in the heavens by Zeus.
Capricornus (or Capricorn) is usually translated as "The Sea Goat". It literally means horned goat. The constellation is ancient, and was one of the earliest members of the zodiac.
The practical and prudent Capricorn sun sign will be the first to tell you if your new idea just does not make common sense. They are great refiners, taking people creative ideas and fine tuning them, adding direction and practical application.
http://www.astrology-insight.com/capricorn.htm
Capricorn (♑) is the tenth sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. In western astrology, this sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession_%28astronomy%29)
Element - Earth
Ruling Planet - Saturn
Symbol - Sea Goat
Birthstone - Garnet
Introvert
The constellation Capricorn represents the tenth Zodiac sign. According to Greek mythology, Capricorn is portrayed as a fish-tailed goat, Amaltheia, who nursed the baby Zeus who was in hiding from his evil father Cronos. Zeus became lord of the Gods and took one of Capricorn’s horns which came to be known as cornucopia, the horn of plenty. The horn was said to abound with whatever fortune its owner desired. Amaltheia was rewarded with a place in the heavens by Zeus.
Capricornus (or Capricorn) is usually translated as "The Sea Goat". It literally means horned goat. The constellation is ancient, and was one of the earliest members of the zodiac.
The practical and prudent Capricorn sun sign will be the first to tell you if your new idea just does not make common sense. They are great refiners, taking people creative ideas and fine tuning them, adding direction and practical application.
http://www.astrology-insight.com/capricorn.htm
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How Do I Submit My Articles To The Acta?
Right here!
Just write out your article, run it through spellcheck, and post it here - where it can be collected by the editors.
To post on Blogger is simple:
1. Log in to Blogger with your email and password.
2. Once logged into your Dashboard, find the Acta ROMA Worktable
3. Click the blue "New Post" button - this will open up a new post.
4. Give it a title and be sure to include which issue of the Acta your piece is intended for - the 1st or the 15th
5. Write or cut and paste your article into the body of the post
(make sure to spellcheck it - there is a spellcheck button on the task bar at the top of the new post)
6. Preview your post, and then click "Publish Post"
That's it! The editors will take it from there!
Just write out your article, run it through spellcheck, and post it here - where it can be collected by the editors.
To post on Blogger is simple:
1. Log in to Blogger with your email and password.
2. Once logged into your Dashboard, find the Acta ROMA Worktable
3. Click the blue "New Post" button - this will open up a new post.
4. Give it a title and be sure to include which issue of the Acta your piece is intended for - the 1st or the 15th
5. Write or cut and paste your article into the body of the post
(make sure to spellcheck it - there is a spellcheck button on the task bar at the top of the new post)
6. Preview your post, and then click "Publish Post"
That's it! The editors will take it from there!
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