Channel 4- Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

If you are in the UK, or can use a UK proxy, here is a great show where they try to build a Roman villa using only period tools. Many thanks to Silverbow Janus who sent along the link!

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day/4od#3154408

Paganalia '11 Schedule

Saturday January 15th:

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 picnic social. Come join us in celebrating the beginning of the Paganalia!
Location: Transtiberim Occidentalis, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/50/108/32

12pm - Paganism and Early Christianity in the Ancient World - A Lecture with Linus Lacombe
Join us for a lecture on Paganism and its relationship with Christianity in late antiquity. In the physical world, Linus has a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies and Antiquities, a master's degree in Religious Studies, and has done doctoral work in Religious Studies, specializing in ancient Mediterranean religion, mostly early Christianity and Second Temple Judaism.
Location: Basilica of Maxentius, ROMA sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/44/138/45

2pm - Modern Pagan Ritual
As ROMA's Paganalia is a celebration of all cultural pagan rites and ceremonies, this year we will be showing you how Modern Neo-Pagans worship. Our ceremony will be a Wiccan-style Full Moon esbat, displaying a typical modern pagan rite and customs. We will have dancing in the circle after the rites!
Location: Campus Martius, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/181/111/22

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Sunday January 16th:

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: Campus Martius, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/181/111/22

12pm - Freemasonry Lecture with Tedwood Portsmouth
Our very own Tedwood Portsmouth will be lecturing on the nature, rituals, and symbols of Freemasonry and how some of it relates to pagan symbolism and worship in general. If you were ever curious about Freemasonry, now's your chance to learn what it's about with a member of the Order!
Location: Basilica of Maxentius, ROMA sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/44/138/45

4pm - Paganalia Grand Feast
The conclusion of ROMA's Paganalia Festival - join us for an evening of feasting and dancing, as well as our Paganalia Trivia Contest! There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Live music will be provided by Maximillion Kleene - so come dance the night away to good tunes and great company!
Location: Lake Trasimenus, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/134/121/22

Saturnalia Schedule

Friday 17 Dec:

12pm (Noon)- Ave Weekend Party
Start ROMA Saturnalia at the Pompeii Tavern for our "Ave Weekend" party. Dancing and merrymaking!
Location: Pompeii Tavern, ROMA sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/174/28/27

1pm Saturnalia Latin Lessons
After the "Ave Weekend", we will hold a holiday themed Latin class in the ROMA Basilica. Bring your brain and learn a host of holiday sayings, as well as other Latin information. All levels welcome!
Location: Basilica Maxentius, ROMA sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/41/131/45
(Sponsored by the Scholastica Antiqua group)


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Saturday 18th Dec. :

10am- Saturnalia Ritual & Tavern Celebration
Today's Saturnalia events begin 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, ROMA sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/183/41/26

12pm (Noon)- 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: Subura Park, ROMA Subura sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/149/128/24

1:30pm Subura Domus Deco Walking Tour & Feast
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. After the walking tour, we will have a festive feast with dancing, drinks, good music, and much to explore!
Location: Begin in Julian Plaza, ROMA Subura sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/21/46/24


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Sunday 19th Dec. :

11am- Saturnalia Ice Skating Party
Lake Trasimenus has frozen over and that can mean only one thing - skating time has returned to ROMA! 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. Just us for all the frosty frozen fun!
Location: Frozen Lake Trasimene, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/135/121/22

12pm (Noon)- Saturnalia Sleigh Races
We will race sleighs through the ROMA Transtiberim sim. Anyone can take part. These sleighs take damage if you bump into walls or obstacles, so just getting to the end of the course will be a challenge! Cash prize to the person with the best time around the whole sim (without wrecking).
Location: Begin at, and spectator viewing at Campfire Hill, ROMA tTranstiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/110/77/39

1pm- Saturnalia Legion Gladius Deathmatch
Want to try your hand with the famous Roman weapon? Come take part in the Legion Gladius Deathmatch. Everyone is invited to enter the cage and take a swing! Cash prize for the winners and bragging rights to the losers! Full instructions here: 􀀀
Location: Legion Fort, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/138/184/42
(Sponsired by the ROMA Legio XIII Gemina group)

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. It's also our last chance to get together before the holidays - so come wish your fellow ROMAns Happy Holidays! The Grand Feast will include a Trivia Contest and Saturnalia Gift Exchange.
Location: Field of Mars, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/181/106/22

ROMA Participating in Project Skylight

In case you haven't heard, Linden Lab is testing a browser based SL client (meaning they hope to offer the option to log into SL using a website instead of a downloaded software based client). They have been testing this during most of the month of November and it seems to be quite successful.

In the test, people could log into SL via a web page and interact with the world. They could also IM and chat, although inventory-based actions were not supported. A small collection of pre-chosen sims were available for teleport and exploration under three categories: Destinations, Music, and Socializing.

In late October, ROMA was contacted about being one of the few sims chosen for the "Destinations" category. LL felt ROMA represented an attractive and welcoming stop for Skylight testers, often comprising of people who had never experienced SL before. Throughout November, ROMA has hosted many Skylight testers, all of who had a numerical first name and the surname "Guest".

ROMA has felt very privileged to partake in what looks to be a large step forward in the technology of SL and which will hopefully increase the player base.

The test is still ongoing. If you would like to check it out go to this web page. Allow the video to play and the system will check your internet connection to see if it is healthy enough to proceed. If it is, you will be given the option to input your email. Make sure your Flash software is the latest version and you'll be able to access SL in a browser for up to an hour. Under the destinations tab, you will find the teleport to ROMA. Come check out how it looks in a browser!

(After the test, you'll be emailed a questionnaire for comments by LL. Some nice words about ROMA would be very welcome!)

Winter Returns!

Winter has returned to ROMA! A heavy snowstorm has passed through and turned the estate white.

The emperor has determined that this is the perfect time to put up the winter holiday decorations. Come explore it!

(Tip: use the Windlight presets to set your browser to the Sky>Foggy setting for the best views of the winter wonderland).

Ice skating available on Lake Trasimene and you can sit in the Plaza and listen to holiday carols played on holiday bells. Stay tuned for the Saturnalia schedule coming soon!

ROMA Links

Ever misplace the url for one of the websites for ROMA? Bookmark http://romacitizens.com/links.html and you'll be able to find all of the sites associated with the ROMA Estate.

And also remember that if you use an RSS reader for your news, you can also subscribe to this blog and be kept up to date with each new post.

November Festival- The Ludi Plebii

*** Saturday 20 November ***

12:00pm Jupiter Ritual and Dance
Join us for the consecration of our new temple to the Capitoline Triad in ROMA. Afterwards we will dance and socialize in the newly rebuilt Capitoline Museum, also in the Forum. This event begins the Ludi Plebi in ROMA.
Location: ROMA Forum, ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/28/203/79

1:00pm Basic Latin Lessons
Ever wanted to learn how to speak like a Roman? Zelda Walpole and Tonina Rodenberger will hold a beginner's Latin class in the newly rebuilt ROMA Basilica. Even advanced and intermediate Latinists are encouraged to attend what we hope will be a developing component of life in ROMA. This event is sponsored by the ROMA Scholastica Antiqua group.
Location: Capitoline Museum, ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/58/235/67



*** Sunday 21 November ***

12:00pm NOON Ludi Plebi Chariot Races
Come and race for the big L$2000 pot, or just watch in our viewing stands. The winner will be crowned Champion of the Ludi!
Location: Circus Maximus, ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/4/136/36

1:00 pm Battle Recreation- The Battle of Pharsalus
The ROMA SPQR LEGIO XIII GEMINA will recreate the deciding battle of the Civil war between Pompey and Caesar this Sunday in ROMA. Come watch the two forces clash on the Field of Mars in the ROMA Transtiber sim. Primus Pilus Brodbiz Bigration will give a short historical introduction to the battle before the event. Spectators can watch from the walls of the Ostia Settlement.
Location: The walls of Ostia, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/183/131/32

3:30pm Jupiter Thanksgiving Feast
Dinner and dancing in the autumnal gardens of the Imperial Palace. Come let us know what you are thankful for. There will be a lucky drawing for $1000 for someone at the feast, which should give them a lot to be thankful for!
Location: Imperial Palace Gardens of Maecenas, ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/142/156/53

ROMA Halloween Weekend

Saturday 30 Oct

12pm Noon: ROMA Lemuralia & Ghost Stories
In Roman religion, the Lemuralia or Lemuria was a feast during which the ancient Romans performed rites to exorcise the malevolent and fearful ghosts of the dead from their homes.Our Lemuralia ritual will banish any malevolent spirits, both real & imagined, while welcoming the protective spirits of the Lares and beneficent ancestors. Followed by ghost stories in the ROMA tombs!
Location: ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/60/33/45


Sunday 31 Oct

10:30am: ROMA Curiate Assembly
Please note this is in the new location in the new Curia building, ROMA Forum
Location: ROMA Curia, ROMA sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/115/215/83

12pm Noon: ROMA Hallow'een Party
Come in costume! Cash prize for best costumes.
Location: Field of Mars, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/144/82/303

1pm: Legion Training
The soldiers will be training in costume. Come watch and participate!
Location: Legion Fort, ROMA Transtiberim sim
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/111/224/43

ROMA @ IV Anniversary Celebrations Schedule

In October MMX, ROMA celebrates its fourth anniversary in SL. A week-long series of events are planned. Come take part and join SL’s original and oldest Roman themed community!

**All Week Long**
ROMA @ IV SNAPSHOT CONTEST
This contest will run until Oct 16. Until then, wander around ROMA and find your favorite spot to take a snapshot. Stage a snapshot with friends. Show the world how you experience ROMA.

There are 3 categories for the contest:

= Best Avatar Portrait or Self-Portrait
= Best Shot of a ROMA Landmark
= Best Illustration of Roman History and/or Culture

Each category will have 3 winners. The prizes are:

= First Prize: 2,000 L$ in each category
= Second Prize: 1000 L$ in each category
= Third Prize: 500 L$ in each category

See the contest sign in the ROMA Plaza (http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/172/59/26) for more details and rules.


**October 10th, Sunday**
12pm (noon) - ROMA @ IV Pool Party
Say goodbye to Summer with a last pool party in the newly refurbished Baths of Caracalla in ROMA. This is the opening event for the ROMA @ IV anniversary celebrations.

Location: Baths of Caracalla in the ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/143/48/27


**October 13th, Wednesday**
1pm - ROMA @ IV Special Roleplay Event
This week we celebrate the 4th year since the birth of our Roma SPQR! Roleplayers (and Citizens) are cordially invited to a RP- party in the Garden of the Gens Tiberia. We want to chat about Roma, drink upon her and celebrate her birthday. There will also a surprise waiting for you.
Location: Garden of the Gens Tiberia, ROMA Subura sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/88/63/27


**October 15th, Friday**
1pm - Re-Consecration Ceremony & Dance
The ROMA Collegia will perform a short ritual at the ROMA Harbor, on the spot where Torin rezzed the first prims for ROMA four years ago. Then everyone will retire to the top of the new Markets of Trajan and celebrate with a dance. Come join in the fun!

Location: ROMA Harbor in the ROMA sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/215/25/23


**October 16th, Saturday**
1pm – ROMA Legion Soccer Match
The last “civilians vs. legionnaires” match was such a success, we decided to repeat it! Come kick the ball around, or just watch! Cash prize to the winning team, as well as bragging rights!

Location: Legion Fort in the ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/131/190/43


2pm - ROMA @ IV Autumn Celebration Feast
We will celebrate the season in the beautiful grounds of the College of Priests and Priestesses of ROMA.

Location: Collegia Religio Romana in the ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/203/232/32


**October 17th, Sunday**
12pm (noon) - ROMA October Horse Triathalon
The groups of ROMA will have the chance to compete in the October Horse Triathalon Event. Participants will first race chariots through the Subura, then jump into boats to race through the ROMA Maritima sim, and finally a footrace through ROMA Transtiberim. The group whose representative is the first to cross the finish line in the new ROMA Forum will get a cash prize as well as a special trophy they get to keep and display for a full year (until the ROMA @ V celebrations!). Any ROMA group can enter up to three contestants (as a tag team). Spectators will be able to watch from a special viewers’ platform on the day.

Starting Location: Julian Plaza, ROMA Subura sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/21/42/24

1pm - Bellydance Show
ROMA Citizens will put on a special bellydance performance in celebration of ROMA’s fourth anniversary.

Location: Field of Mars, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/181/106/22

1:30pm - ROMA @ IV Grand Feast w/ Live Music
This Grand Feast will bring an end to the ROMA fourth anniversary celebrations. Live music will be provided for dancing!

Location: Field of Mars, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/181/106/22


And stay tuned for more ROMA events later in the month!

ROMA Lemuralia Festiva, 30 October
ROMA Curiate Assembly, 31 October
ROMA Hallow'een Party, 31 October

More details to follow!

Ludi Romani Festival Schedule

Saturday September 25

11:00am Ludi Romani Jupiter Ritual and God Feast
This month's festival begins with a ritual for Jupiter in the Forum Temple, honouring Him as King of the Gods and spiritual father of the Roman Pantheon. Our ritual will then be followed by a special feast with dancing and activities in the nearby Basilica. Since at the ancient feast, statues of the gods attended, at our feast you are asked to come in costume as an ancient deity. A prize of L$1000 will be given to the best male and the best female deity costume as decided by vote.

Location: Jupiter Temple and Basilica, ROMA Forum, ROMA Sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/65/199/71


1:00pm Legion Harpastum Event
Harpastum, also known as Harpustum, was a form of ball game played in the Roman Empire
We know little about the exact rules of the game, but it appears to bear a remarkable resemblance to American Football and Rugby. Harpastum was a team game that probably had a variable number of players. It was played on a demarked rectangular field, probably about the size used in field hockey. The ROMA Legion will put on a dispay of Harpastum. Come and take part or just watch!

Location: Legion Fort, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/115/232/42



Sunday September 26

10:00 am Ludi Romani Chariot Races
Come race round the spina in ROMA's Circus Maximus Hippodrome! Our chariot races, in honour of Jupiter, will be four 3-lap races - the winners of the first three races will compete in the final race to determine the final winners. There will be cash purses for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. But beware! Chariot racing is a dangerous sport - these chariots can wreck and put you out of the race! Are you skilled enough to beat the odds? Come race and find out! This event will be sponsored by the LVDI ROMANI group.

Location: Circus Maximus, ROMA Subura sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Subura/4/136/36


11:00 am Ludi Romani Gladiator Fight @ Ostia Ludus
Witness our brave gladiators fight for the honour of Jupiter and the glory of ROMA in several bouts to the "death"! The gladiator with the most bouts won will recieve a cash purse and be granted a laurel wreath of victory by the Prefect himself! Come watch the bloody battles and cheer your favourite on to glory! This event will be sponsored by the LVDI ROMANI group.
Location: Ludi Arena, ROMA Transtiberim sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/172/152/32


12:00 pm ROMA Curiate Assembly Meeting
Come meet your fellow ROMA Citizens and hear all the latest news in ROMA. Open to the public.
Location: ROMA Curia, ROMA sim
SLUrl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/19/156/45