Introducing the ROMA Annales

As most of you know, the ROMA Scribae group has been busy over the last year documenting the history of ROMA and publishing the bi-weekly ACTA ROMA newsletter. Not many people know about the Scribae wiki which represents not only a growing repository of historical data about ROMA, but also a unique document regarding a venerable (in virtual terms) online community. You can access all of the pages on the Scribae wiki here: http://lingweenie.org/roma-scribae/index.php/Main_Page. The group and the wiki are managed by Citizen William Gide, and Citizen Spaciva Ivanova edits the ACTA. They are always looking for historians and reporters, so feel free to contact them in world about joining the group.

I would like to use this blog post to draw attention to a very important and very interesting feature of the Scribae wiki, the ROMA Annales. We have been focusing our attention on this aspect of the wiki for the last few months. The Annales are a listing of significant events in the life of ROMA and her community organized by year, month, and date. Often this also includes additional content such as the text from notices, links to photo albums, and notecard records. As well as this catalog, every festival day for the last four years has its own page where schedules, text, and photos are collected together to document what is probably one of the oldest, continual social celebrations in Second Life.

• Do you remember when ROMA opened to the public as its own estate? (15 October 2006)
  
• Do you remember when ROMA got chariots? (6 April 2008)
  
• Do you remember when Angelia first became estate manager? (18 January 2007)
  
• Do you remember when Achille updated the free togas in the Customs House? (10 March 2009)

The Annales contains a tremendous amount of information that should rekindle the memories of old timers and show newbies the long history and development of ROMA. You can start exploring the database here: http://lingweenie.org/roma-scribae/index.php/Annales

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Do you see something missing from the Annales, such as the date your Citizen-Run Group was founded? Just IM Torin Golding the information in world and he'll add it to the Annales. If you have a Flickr account, annotate festival images with your memories from the past events. If you are interested in helping to gather more data about the history of ROMA, including interviews with longtime Citizens and research into the vaults of the estate, contact William Gide or Spaciva Ivanova in world to be given an assignment.

Valete!

Lupercalia Festival Schedule

Saturday February 20th:

10am - Lupercalia Ritual and The Running of the Luperci
In celebration of this most ancient of festivals we will be performing a Roman ritual for Faunus Lupercus, the God of Wild Things and Lupa, the shewolf who nourished the founding fathers Romulus and Remus. After the rite, we will have the Running of The Luperci - half-naked youths who bless the young ladies of the city. The women will run ahead of the Luperci, who will lightly flog them with the goatskin floggers in hopes of fertility (both of mind and body). Following the ritual, we will have our traditional Lupercalia Feast - and clothing is optional!
Location: Lupercal Cave, ROMA Transtiberim sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/68/202/55)

12pm - Lupercalia Wolf Hunt
Time for another Hunt - ROMA's own version of hide and seek+tag with prizes! For Lupercalia, we will have cunning wolves for you to chase - how many can you tag in 1 hour? The Hunt begins in Transtiberim and will cover all sims except Maritima & Insula. A $L1000 Prize will be awarded to the one who has tagged the most wolves.
Location: Transtiberim Path, ROMA Transtiberim sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/58/32/45)

2pm - Love Poetry & Prose hosted by Venus
Our lovely Goddess, Venus, will host for us a literary gathering where we will tell short stories and poetry with a romantic theme. Bring your favourite poetry and prose to share with your fellow ROMA Citizens, or just come and enjoy the storytelling and poetry reading in the romantic atmosphere!
Location: Field of Mars, ROMA Transtiberim sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/160/101/21)

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Sunday February 21st:

9:30am - Equirria Legion Blessing Ritual & Venus Honour Guard
The Legio, in a time honored military display, will present arms and come to be blessed for the new year. This presentation will be attended by the lovely Goddess Venus, who will offer Her own blessing as well. After the blessing, She will be escorted by a Legion Honour Guard to the baths where citizens may consult Her. Don't miss your chance to see our beautiful Goddess and our proud Legion!
Location: Fort, ROMA sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/75/57/26)

10am-ish - Ask Venus
Our lovely Goddess Venus will hold court in the Baths of Caracalla for those who seek council about matters of love and romance! Please join us with your questions, or just to hang out and hear what others wish to know. No question is too personal or trivial - Venus will answer them all!
Location: The Baths of Caracalla, ROMA sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/154/48/27)

1pm - Cupid Archery Tournament hosted by Legion XIII
As Venus is the Goddess of Erotic Love, Her son Cupid is the God of Romantic Love - and in His honour, ROMA and the Legion are hosting an archery contest - prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners - based on total accumulated points in each of our 3 contests. Can you hit the mark as well as Cupid? Come prove it!
Location: Legion Archery Range, ROMA Transtiberim sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/125/233/404)

4pm - Lupercalia Grand Feast
To top off this festival weekend, we have The Grand Feast of Lupercalia! Join us for an evening of feasting, dancing, and good company, as well as our Lupercalia Costume Contest! Our costume theme this time around is Historical or Fictional Lovers. So come as Romeo & Juliet, Tarzan & Jane, Cleopatra & Antony - whatever takes your fancy! We will vote for best male and female costume - the winners will recieve $L1000! (You don't have to have a partner to enter the contest - you can enter as one half of a couple.)
Location: Throne Room, ROMA sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/180/183/53)

The Aqua Traiana UPDATED

Many thanks to Citizen Rachel Corleone who spotted this great short video about a new discovery outside of Rome- the possible source of the Aqua Traiana. Check it out!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8486518.stm?ls

UPDATE:
The Rogue Classicism blog has a lot more details:

http://rogueclassicism.com/2010/02/01/still-more-on-the-aqua-traiana/

Paganalia Festival 2010 Schedule

Saturday January 23th:

10am - Roman Paganalia Ritual
In celebration of Paganalia, the Roman festival of sowing, we will be performing a ritual to honour Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) and Tellus (Mother Earth), followed by a light social gathering with dancing. Come join us in celebrating the beginning of the Paganalia!
Location: ROMA Transtiberim http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/60/30/45

12pm - Paganalia Fishing Contest
Break out your poles and put on your fishing togas - it's time for another ROMA Fishing event! Using the 7Seas Fishing system, we will be having a fishing contest, with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners recieving cash prizes.
Location: ROMA Transtiberim http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/123/154/29

2pm - Greek Paganalia Ritual
As ROMA's Paganalia is a celebration of all cultural pagan rites and ceremonies, this year we will be showing you the flip side of Graeco-Roman religion, with a Greek ritual for the Paganalia, honouring Poseidon - followed by a floating boat party in front of the temple.
Location: ROMA Maritima http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Maritima/206/128/2

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Sunday January 24th:

10am - Egyptian Horus Ritual
A re-created Egyptian Ritual to honour Horus and Osiris in honour of the ROMA Paganalia using texts from the Temple of Dendera and known elements of Egyptian worship. Please join us for this exhibit of what worship in ancient Kemet (Egypt) may have been like!
Location: ROMA Transtiberim http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/177/108/22

12pm - Cloaca Croc Race
You may have explored ROMA's Cloaca Maxima before, but have you ever raced through it on the back of a crocodile? Well now you can! Our Cloaca Croc Race will be a timed race, with the 3 best times winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Can you navigate your croc through to victory before the competition? Join the race and find out!
Location: ROMA Transtiberim http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/177/108/22

2pm - Native American Powwow Presentation
Our guest speakers from Virtual Native Lands will give us a slideshow presentation on Native American Powow etiquette. The presentation is in voice and text, and explains music styles and powwow dance - if you crave a true understanding of American Native culture and traditions, please join us for this unique opportunity of education and fun!
Location: ROMA Subura http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/141/127/87

4pm - Paganalia Grand Feast
The conclusion of ROMA's Paganalia Festival - join us for an evening of feasting, dancing, and good company, as well as our Paganalia Costume Contest! Come as your favourite god, mythological creature, or sacred beast. This theme encompasses all religions, so it doesn't need to be Roman. We will vote for best male and female costume - the winners will recieve $L1000!
Location: ROMA http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/160/137/52

Announcing the new ROMA CURIATE ASSEMBLY

THE SHORT STORY:
ROMA will now have an assembly that will meet once a month. We are going to be replacing the ROMA Senate meeting with a larger gathering involving senators, citizens and group officers. The first meeting will be 11am Sunday 31 January.

THE DETAILS:
The ROMA CURIATE ASSEMBLY is the monthly meeting of ROMA Senators, officers, and Citizens. It meets in the ROMA Curia and replaces the former ROMA Senate meetings. The Assembly is a large body that consists of three parts, or “chambers”, each with their role to play in managing and maintaining ROMA. It is also a “think-tank” for proposing new ideas and discussing all aspects of the estate. The Assembly meets the last Sunday of every month.

Each part ("chamber") sits in its own designated area inside the Curia in order to make clear who is a voting member.

CHAMBER 1: The Senators (the Optimates)
The Senators have two main roles in ROMA: A) to serve as a direct advisory body to the Emperor, Estate Managers and owner of ROMA, and B) to serve as “point people” and organizers of many ROMA events and tasks. This latter role allows them to act as “patrons”, helping other Citizens in ROMA accomplish their goals and ideas for the estate. Senators are often also called upon to be the “public face of ROMA”, wearing their Senator title with pride amongst both their fellow Citizens and new visitors. All Citizens may approach ROMA Senators with issues and they will endeavor to find solutions.

• The Senate has an executive officer (Princeps Senatus) and two Censors. All three are positions elected by active Senate members.
  
• Senators have a lifetime appointment (unless they resign or are removed).
  
• They are elected by their peers (following a period of training and mentoring).
  
• Each Senator gets one vote in the Assembly on voting matters.
  
• Senators can propose motions on which the whole Assembly can vote. The Princeps steers all motions, discussions, and voting.
  
• Senators should offer to be the main point people and organizers of events and issues brought before the Senate if they are able.
  
• Senators take their responsibly seriously as part of the public face of ROMA
  
• Senate officers manage a "Task Board" like in the Collegium where they can keep tabs on the duties taken on by the Senators.
  
• Senate “on call” buttons in the Tabularium facilitate contact between the Senators and the Citizenry.
  
• Further Senate regulations and details are laid out in the Tabellae which will be updated shortly.

CHAMBER 2: The Group Officers (the Populares)
The second chamber of the Assembly is comprised of group officers from the various active groups in ROMA. The Senate officers and Prefect will keep a current list of active groups. Each group is able to appoint up to two representatives to sit in this chamber during meetings. They are called "Novi Homines / Novae Feminae" and speak with the authority of the group. They are present in the Assembly to A) facilitate communication between the various groups in ROMA, B) to brainstorm event ideas and solicit assistance from the Senators in organizing events and ideas, and C) to bring any public issues to discussion within the Assembly.

• Each Official and recognized Citizen-Run Group can appoint up to two "Novi Homines / Novae Feminae" to attend the Senate meetings in official capacity.
  
• Family groups themselves are not eligible for a "Novi Homines / Novae Feminae" slot because they are considered sub-groups within the Theatrum group (and sit on the Theatrum council), but the Theatrum group may appoint a Family member to represent the Theatrum in the chamber as one of their "Novi Homines / Novae Feminae".
  
• Each group decides how long each representative serves.
  
• Each Novi Homines or Novae Feminae gets one vote in Senate voting matters.
  
• Each Novi Homines or Novae Feminae can propose motions on which the whole Assembly votes. The Princeps Senatus steers all motions, discussions, and voting, including those proposed from within the Populares.
  
• Groups must have a minimum membership number and must be active to participate in the Assembly.
  
• SPECIAL NOTE ON THE COLLEGIUM: When the Assembly turns to Populares business in the agenda, the Collegium group goes first in order to discuss upcoming festival plans. This part of the meeting is steered by the Vestalis Maxima (if present) or a Collegium representative in order to discuss what is needed from the Assembly members and Groups for the next festival. The Vestalis Maxima (or Senatus Princeps is she is absent) can call for motions, discussions, and voting if necessary during this section of the meeting, but presumably that will not be necessary most of the time. This clause is to facilitate festival planning and the dissemination of information to the groups who will be participating in the festival.

CHAMBER 3: The Public Council
The Citizenry of ROMA is invited to participate in the Assembly. A special seating area in the Curia will allow spectators to join in the moderated discussions.

• The Princeps will call upon people to speak during discussions. Those wishing to speak should IM the Princeps or signify in chat text that they wish to speak.
  
• The Public council has no vote on voting matters, and may not make motions, but they can present ideas and take part in the debate.

A NOTE ON CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP: Someone can theoretically be a member of all three chambers, but they can only 'sit' in one area of the Curia. For example, the Collegium would probably not want to appoint MajorMatt to be their "Novus Homo" since he is already a sitting Senator, but if they did, he would have to make a decision where to sit when he got to the Curia. He would then be bound by the regulations of the chamber he was sitting in that day (i.e. if he was in the Public Council, he would not be able to make a motion).


A NOTE ON VOTING: Voting during an Assembly meeting will most often be used to ratify a "We would like to do this" motion or a "Can we do something about this" motion after discussion. It will be by declamation (“Yes” or “No” in chat), but the Princeps can defer any vote to the Messageboard if more discussion is needed or more input is desired. Secret ballots, though probably unnecessary, are also allowed.

Once the Assembly votes on a proposal, it technically goes to the Emperor for ratification. Most of the time, Torin will be able to ratify it immediately (“rubber stamp it”) during the meeting in his role as Prefect. Action, such as planning, then can immediately commence. On some matters, particularly those needing more discussion amongst the Estate Managers, Torin will defer immediate ratification and instead refer the proposal to a committee or to the Imperium management group. It may even be sent back to the Assembly at a future time for more discussion and another vote.

2009 Saturnalia Schedule

Saturday 19th December

10am- Saturnalia Ritual & Tavern Celebration
Saturnalia begins with ritual to honour Saturn and Sol Invictus, followed by a party in the Tavern with dancing, music, and general merry-making. Saturnalia in ancient Rome was one of the most popular festivals of the year. It was marked by a license for mischief and high spirits (within limits) and reversal of social roles, in which slaves and masters switched places. So put on your pileus (freedmans cap), your most colourful clothes, and come party like a Patrician (Even if you're not)! Io Saturnalia!
Location: ROMA Plaza
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/215/25/22

12pm (Noon)- Saturnalia Skating & Snowball Fights
Lake Trasimenus has frozen over and that can mean only one thing - skating time has returned to ROMA! A beautiful ice forest has sprung up on the frozen water - where we will skate, enjoy hot chocolate (or maybe something a little stronger!), and toss snowballs at each other! We have a Skoopf skate vendor as well as free skates availible, and a free snowball thrower too! Just us for all the frosty frozen fun!
Location: Lake Trasimenus
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/134/127/22

2pm- Saturnalia Snowman Building Contest
Do you like playing in the snow? Do you like building snowmen? Then we have a contest for you! In order of the winter season, we are having a snowman building contest - limited only by your imagination! Some come build us a snowman, a snow angel, even a snow dog if you want! Winners will be chosen by a 3 judge panel, and will be rated in 3 categories: Creativity, Style, and Seasonality (how well your creation fits into the seasonal theme). Builders will have 1 hour to complete their creations, and prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Location: ROMA Subura Park
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/138/128/2

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Sunday 20th December

10am- Subura Domus Deco Walking Tour
A walking tour through Subura to see all the decorated homes - come join in walking in a winter wonderland! The residents os Subura have decorated their homes for the season, and some of them have entered into our Domus Deco contest! After the walking tour, the voting will take place at a festive gathering celebrating the grand opening of the Villa Romani - an educational recreation of a real roman villa. There will be dancing, drinks, good music, and much to explore!
Location: Subura Julian Plaza
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/17/49/23

12pm (Noon)- Saturn's Treasure Hunt
As Saturn is the god that presides over the Roman Treasury, we are holding a treasure hunt! The Great God Saturn has cast a number of pouches all over ROMA sim - and they are all full of gold (lindens)! The game is simple: find a pouch, click it, and you get to keep the cash! But each pouch contains a differing amount, and there are more smaller pouches than large ones. But if you're lucky, you may even find a pouch worth $L200! (There are only a handful of these hidden throughout the sim though, so you must keep your eyes peeled!) Once a pouch is claimed, it's gone - so hunt fast! How much gold can you collect in 1 hour? Join us and find out!
Location: ROMA Plaza
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/184/42/26

2pm- Saturnalia Scavenger Hunt
For those who like a bit of a challenge, we offer another hunt - a Scavenger Hunt! Seek through all the ROMA sims for 3 items in each sim - when you find it, take a snapshot and add it to your hunt notecard (this will cost you $L10 per upload). The first person to complete the full set of hunt targets will be judged the winner - and the prize is $L1000! You have up to 1 hour to complete the hunt (but you may have less if someone completes their list before you). Are you up to the challenge? Prove it!
Location: ROMA Plaza
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/184/42/26

4pm- Saturnalia Grand Feast
Io Saturnalia! Or Merry Xmas! Or Happy Hanukkah! Or whatever the season's holiday means for you! Our festival culminates in the Saturnalia Grand Feast, in a beautiful ice palace - in addition to the traditional feasting and dancing, we also have ice skating (for those who missed it the first time round), polar bathing (all you polar bears - bring your swimsuits!) and an ice carousel! It's also our last chance to get together before the holidays - so come wish your fellow ROMAns Happy Holidays!
Location: ROMA Transtiberim Campus Martius
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/160/101/22

ROMA Saturnalia Sleigh

Thanks to Alekso Minotaur, you can take a ride through the Transtiberim sim on a comfortable Saturnalia Sleigh. You can even invite some friends to ride along. Just be careful of the icy roads! If you hit too many rough spots, the structural integrity of the sleigh just may not hold!

You can find the Saturnalia Sleigh stall just outside Ostia in the ROMA Transtiberim sim.

Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/197/118/22

ROMA in Winter Album

A new album has been posted on the ROMA Citizens Flikr page. It shows many images of the ROMA estate after the most recent snowfall, and decorated for the holidays. Find it at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/romacitizens/sets/72157622886046675/

The ROMA Subura History Exhibit- Coming Soon!

The Subura has been in existence since March of 2007. It not only represents ROMA's first expansion, but also houses a vibrant and colorful community. We would like to commemorate the sim and its residents with a special exhibit in the Baths of Caracalla gallery and an illustrated book (both in SL and RL) sponsored by the ROMA Scribae group.

We are asking both current and former residents, as well as ROMA Citizens-at-large, to donate snapshots and images of the Subura. This can be of your own domus, a build you found interesting inside the Subura, or the illustration of a past event or activity inside the Subura. Historical images are particularly welcome, as this exhibit will aim to reconstruct the history of the sim. So even if you are no longer a resident, but still have some images of your build, we would love to include them in the exhibit.

If you would like to contribute, please see below. Contributions are due **31 January**. The exhibit will go live in January and last until the third anniversary of the Subura in March 2010.

TO DONATE A SNAPSHOT:
1. If the snapshot is already in-world: Give it a descriptive title, make sure it is full permissions, and drop it directly on Torin Golding. You can also attach it to a notecard where you tell us about the photo or image and drop both on Torin.

2. If the snapshot is not already in-world, you don’t need to spend the L$10 to upload it. Just send it as an email attachment to romacitizens@yahoo.com. Be sure to give it a descriptive title, or tell us about the photo or image in the email.

TO DONATE A NARRATIVE:
If you would like to write a few words about your Subura plot (present or past) to possibly include in the exhibit and/or book, write everything on a notecard and drop it on Torin Golding in-world. We anticipate displaying test in both the exhibit and the books.

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THE LEGAL STUFF:
All submissions become property of ROMA so that we may publish them in the exhibit books. All snapshots and narratives will retain their original photo and author credits (ie. everything will still list you as the photographer and/or author).

Once we get all of the submissions, we will assemble the exhibit and book for a January launch. In-game, the book will be abridged (due to in-world page restrictions) and given away for free to everyone as a souvenir for the duration of the exhibit. The RL paperback book will be published by a print-on-demand press and available on the web to anyone who would like to buy a RL copy. All proceeds from the RL book sale will go to ROMA estate upkeep.

Ludi Plebeii Festival Schedule

21st November :

The Feast of Jupiter - 10am

The beginning of the Ludi Plebeii is Jupiter's Feast in the ROMA Forum. Beginning with a procession from the ROMA Plaza outside the Tavern, the Citizens will meet the Capitoline Triad in the Forum, where a ritual to ask for Their blessings will be performed. Immediately after the ritual, the feast will begin - with food, wine, and dancing in the company of the Gods.


ROMA Agitatores Chariot Races - 12pm (Noon)
In honour of Jupiter, Best and Greatest, Divine Mother Juno, and Wise Minerva, there will be chariot racing in the Subura! We invite all to come join in this spectacle, to cheer on the racers of our new Agitatores group as they navigate a tricky figure-8 loop through the narrow streets - hopefully without taking out anyone's domus (or themselves) in the process!


Palaestra Plebeii- 2pm

Summer is gone, and Autumn is nearly spent, but that's no excuse for not keeping in shape! Come join us at MajorMatt's Palaestra in Subura, where we will have wrestling games, discus throwing, and other athletic entertainments for you to enjoy. There will also be refreshments and massage tables availible for after your extreme workout.



22nd November :
Ludi Lectica Race - 10am

A Lectica Race through Subura! For those unfamiliar with what a lectica is: it is a roman carrying litter. This race will require 3 man teams - so ask around now to find partners! The race will traverse the length of Transtiberim - including a bridge across the lake, so be careful! (Falling into the lake disqualifies you!) Can you make it across the sim to be the first one past the finish line? The prize is $L1500 for the lucky team who can. (That's $L500 for each team member!)


Legion XIII Archery Contest - 12pm (Noon)

Legion XIII is hosting our Ludi Plebeii Archery Contest - and there will be prizes for the best archers! Are you a secret Robin Hood? Can you hit an apple off an avatar's head at 50 paces? Can you not even hit the broad side of a barn? Whatever your skill level, you're welcome to join the competition - it promises to be fun for all!


Thanksgiving Turkey Hunt - 2pm
In honour of the American and Canadian custom of Thanksgiving - we will be having a turkey hunt - but there's a catch - these turkeys are *TINY*. Barely the size of a large chihuahua, they are agile, speedy, and extremely difficult to tag - but if you can tag the most turkeys in 1 hour, you'll earn yourself $L1000 to have your own thanksgiving feast! (Or maybe just to buy that fancy new outfit you've had your eye on.) How many turkeys can you tag? Join the hunt and find out!


Jupiter's Grand Feast - 4pm
The Ludi Plebeii concludes with Jupiter's Grand Feast - and the theme of this feast is Gods & Goddesses! So dress up as your favourite deity - of any pantheon - and enter our Grand Feast Costume Contest. There will be two categories - Best God and Best Goddess, and the winners will each recieve $L1000 (or more, if the crowd adds to the pot). They will also win a ROMA Party Animal token that is worth 1 point on the ROMA Achievement Board! (But even if you don't win the contest, you can try to impress the Imperium members to give you a Party Animal token.) A night of feasting, dancing, and prizes not to be missed!