Ludi Matutini 2761 AUC (Nova Roma)

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Ludi Matutini, the 4th of 2761 Ludi Decennales

The Ludi Matutini is the 4th set of games in the tenth anniversary year series of games, designated as Ludi Decennales. We invite you to take part in and enjoy each and every contest, and to celebrate each Ludi and Festival in the spirit of the ancient Romans!

Why highlighting children, here?

On June 11th, Mater Matuta is celebrated. This is the day of Matralia, when a very old ceremony involved patrician women who welcomed slaves in a sanctuary before chasing them from it. It was a symbolic ritual in which these women were supposed to be the Dawn, the rising sun chasing darkness from the sacred area. These women were then called "aunts" who were to protect their sisters' children. They were symbolizing Matuta, the aunt, protecting the Sun (the niece), and her children, at the same time the coming days until the solstice, the humans and their children.

Like the coming days, our children and every child must be watched upon, and loved.

Ludi Matutini meaning

Our Ludi come at another very special time in the old Roman calendar. These are those days, less than two weeks before the summer solstice, where the sun is getting stronger, the days longer, but at the same time where both are to be stopped, in their development, by the solstice. After June 21st, and even if we live more than two months of summer, sun and days will loose their fight against moon and night.

Thus, these Ludi Matutini will celebrate these days when men, and specially Romans, are conscious of the necessity to contribute to the last efforts of the sun, and, generally speaking, of the fire, of the coming fire.

The first of our three days will thus first honor Vesta (9th June), our goddess of the eternal fire, which keeps the homes during day and night, and whatever the season. Vesta is Jupiter's elder sister, and daughter of Chronos and Cybel, the Magna Mater. First of all the gods and goddesses involves during these three days, Vesta is particularly appreciated for the constant flame that she watches upon.

Second, we have to honor through Sol indigenus, one of the oldest roman gods, or through Mithra, the late eastern divinity entered in the Roman pantheon, the deity of the sun. Though this deity is generally forgotten behind the other gods who have taken, for their benefit, solar characteristics, it remains one of the major genuine Roman deity.

Third, Matuta, and in second rank Fortuna, is the goddess who we dedicate the Matralia, on the third day of our Ludi, the ancient Matralia. Matuta is the goddess of dawn, i.e. of the coming sun, who has fought against the darkness, and of every coming, rebirth, or renewal. The fact that Marcus Furius Camillus, said by Livy as deserving to be considered after Romulus as the "second founder of Rome", has seen his life placed, on several times, under dawn and rising sun protection is thus significant. Matuta was thus linked to Ianus and Portunus, and so also lived as one of the gods who protected the harbors. Fortuna has been here added beside Matuta, to remind that, beyond the nature regular circles, human life is subject to a destiny that is not entirely controlled by the gods, and that Humans may honor to get a better life. Fortuna, who is celebrated in two weeks, on June 24 th, must, at last, never be ignored during Ludi !

Consult in addition

The Aedes Vestae virtual reconstruction: [1]

Visit the London Mithraeum with Nabarz! MITHRAS VIDEO

Tour the Virtual Mithraeum in Britannia VIRTUAL MITHRAEUM

Look at the temple of Fortuna Huiusce Diei in Rome [2]

Make a virtual pilgrimage to the famous Temple of Fortuna in Praeneste, the largest temple complex in Republican Rome [3]

Visit virtual Rome! Virtual Rome

Our ludi golden rule: one day, one god, one ludus: Ludi Matutini Schedule: 3 days (Jun. 9, 10, 11)

DAY I ~ a.d. V Id. Iun. ‡M. Moravio T. Iulio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXI a.u.c. (June 9, 2008 CE)

DAY II ~ a.d. IV Id. Iun. ‡M. Moravio T. Iulio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXI a.u.c. (June 10, 2008 CE)

DAY III ~ a.d. III Id. Iun. ‡M. Moravio T. Iulio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXI a.u.c. (June 11, 2008 CE)

Results

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