Ludi Romani in Plovdiv and Szolnok
The Ludi Romani in the year Cn. Caesare C. Tullio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXV a.u.c. were celebrated in two live events held at the same time in two different countries of the world. In Plovdiv, Bulgaria (7th - 9th September), organized by Ti. Claudius Drusus "Germanicus" from Estonia, A. Vitellius Celsus and the Bulgarian Nova Romans, and in Szolnok, Hungary (8th September), organized by Cn. Cornelius Lentulus pontifex and the Pannonian Nova Romans. While some lucky citizens celebrated at these live events, Nova Romans all over the world could participate in online games and contests between a.d. VII Id. Sept. ‡ and a.d. XVI Kal. Oct. ‡.
These Ludi Romani of Nova Roma commemorated two significant anniversaries of Roman history. We celebrated the 1800th Anniversary of the Constitutio Antoniniana, the Edict of Caracalla issued in 212 AD, which declared that all free men in the Roman Empire were to be given full Roman citizenship and all free women in Empire were given the same rights as Roman women were; and also honored the 1920th Anniversary of the destruction of the Legio XXI RAPAX, in 92 AD.
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Programs overview
- 7th - 9th September - Live Ludi Romani in Plovdiv, see program below. Official Opening Sacrifice, auspices by Ti. Claudius Drusus, Festive Games and gladiatorial combats: programs below.
- 8th September, 09:00 - Main solemn sacrifice to Iuppiter, conducted in Szolnok by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 8th September 10:00-20:00 - Live Ludi Romani in Szolnok, as part of the city's public fest "Szolnoki Gulyásfesztivál".
- 8th September, 11:00 - Sacrifice to Divus Antoninus Magnus for the 1800th Anniversary of the Constitutio Antoniniana; ceremony by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 8th September, 15:00 - Sacrifice to the Genius and Manes of the Legio XXI Rapax, destroyed exactly 1920 years ago; ceremony by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 9th - 16th September - Daily Online Quizzes: History and Latin contests, see below.
Ludi Romani in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Philippopolis - Trimontium), SEPTEMBER 07-09.
- 7th September 17:00 - Parade on the main street
- 7th September 17:30 - Grand Opening (Stadium of Rome)
- 7-8th September 17:30 - Ritual Auspicia- Ti. Claudius Drusus and A. Vitellius Celsus
- 7-8th September 18:00 - Ritual Lustratio „Purifying/Cleansing“ (Stadium of Rome)- Ti. Claudius Drusus and A. Vitellius Celsus
- 7-8th September 18:30 - Pankration (Stadium of Rome) - community САСР-СИЛА
- 7-8th September 19:00 - Battle of the Gladiators (Stadium of Rome) - community САСР-СИЛА
- 7-8th September 19:30 - Serbian dancegroup performance (Stadium of Rome) - Dance Club "Swing"
- 7-8th September 20:00 - Antique Theatre, scenes from „The Matron of Ephesus“; Petronius, Satyricon (Stadium of Rome or Odeon ) - community САСР-СИЛА
- 9th September 12:00-15:00 - Thracian ritual; Ancient armor and weapons demonstrations; Slave market; Roman fashion show, Gladiator combats (Stadium of Rome or Odeon ) - community САСР-СИЛА
Reports about the Ludi Romani in Plovdiv
- Gladiatorial combat, organizers Ti. Claudius Drusus and A. Vitellius Celsus showed at 00:26.
- Photo of Ti. Claudius Drusus and A. Vitellius Celsus while performing the Opening Sacrifices and Augurium for the Ludi Roman.
Photos of the Ludi Romani in Plovdiv
Grand Opening Ceremony of the Ludi Romani
This was the official Opening Ceremony of the Ludi Romani in the year Cn. Caesare C. Tullio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXV a.u.c.. Ti. Claudius Drusus and A. Vitellius Celsus are offering the opening sacrifice and perform the taking of auspices.
Ti. Claudius Drusus with gladiators
Ti. Claudius Drusus with his wife (right)
Ludi Romani in Pannonia Provincia (Szolnok, Hungary), SEPTEMBER 08.
- 8th September, 09:00 - Main solemn sacrifice to Iuppiter, conducted in Szolnok by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 8th September, 10:00 - Pompa, the Legio XXI Rapax of Nova Roma marches together with other reenactment groups and civilian organizations of Szolnok as part of the opening parade of the "Szolnoki Gulyásfesztivál"
- 8th September, 11:00 - Sacrifice to Divus Antoninus Magnus for the 1800th Anniversary of the Constitutio Antoniniana; ceremony by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 8th September, 15:00 - Sacrifice to the Genius and Manes of the Legio XXI Rapax, destroyed exactly 1920 years ago; ceremony by pontifex Cn. Lentulus
- 8th September, 15:30 - Gladiatorial Combats
- 8th September, 16:00 - Memorial battle of the Legio XXI Rapax against the barbarians, commemorating the battle in which the legion was destroyed exactly 1920 years ago; after battle, one minute of silence and bowing head in honor of the dead soldiers of Rapax.
- 8th September 17:00-20:00 - Games, dinner, dance and joy, as part of the city's public fest "Szolnoki Gulyásfesztivál".
Reports about the Ludi Romani in Szolnok
- Only one photo about us, the rest of the photos feature a major city event, Szolnoki Gulyásfesztivál, a traditional Hungarian gastronomy festival, a part of which our Ludi Romani event was officially organized.
- Lots of photos about the Memorial Battle of the Legio XXI Rapax, commemorating its destruction, photos about the sacrifice to the Genius and Manes of the legio XXI Rapax, and gladiatorial combats in their honor.
Photos of the Ludi Romani in Szolnok
The pompa
1. The Nova Roman Legio XXI Rapax marches in across the streets of the city event "Szolnoki Gulyasfestivál", to the opening of the city festival, and from there, to the location of our camp where we held our Nova Roman Ludi Romani. This constituted the ceremonial pompa of our Ludi Romani. March led by centurio Cn. Lentulus, legatus pro praetore of Pannonia.
2. Having arrived to the camp where the ludi Romani were held, the unit of Legio XXI Rapax saluted their centurio, the governor of the province, Cn. Lentulus, conducting the muster. Our barbarian auxiliaries at left.
3. Cn. Lentulus musters his troop and holds a speech about the importance of the day, commemorating the fate of the Legio XXI Rapax 1920 years ago, as well as the beginning of the Ludi Romani yesterday.
4. The muster of the legionary unit. The unit of the Legio XXI Rapax listening to the governor's speech.
5. Armory. Deposition of arms while preparing for the sacrifice.
The sacrifice
6. Ad hoc temporary altar with honor guard waiting for the beginning of the ceremony.
7. The altar is ready for the sacrifice.
8. Cn. Cornelius Lentulus pontifex, legatus pro praetore of Pannonia, and his quaestor, Sp. Porcius Gemma, opening the ceremony in honor of the 1920th Anniversary of the destruction of Legio XXI Rapax, as part of the Ludi Romani of Nova Roma.
9. Legatus pro praetore and pontifex Cn. Lentulus delivers the festive speech remembering the Legio XXI Rapax and the Ludi Romani, while Nova Romans and local visitors of the Szolnok city event are listening.
10. The ceremony has begun, Cn. Lentulus recites the praefatio. Prayers and sacrifice will be offered both to the Genius and Manes of the Legio XXI Rapax, and to Iuppiter for the Ludi Romani.
11. After chanting the words of praefatio, the governor puts incense into the focus of the altar.
12. The smoke of the incense sneaks gently upwards to father Iuppiter. It's a good sign.
13. As an answer from the gods, amazing and mystical beams of sunshine radiate at the altar of the sacrifice, while pontifex Cn. Lentulus is puoring the libation of wine.
14. Chanting the main prayer, perfused with propitious beams of light. Legatus pro praetore Cn. Lentulus pontifex prays to the Genius and Manes of the Legio XXI Rapax and to Iuppiter for the well being of the Nova Roman Republic.
15. The end of the ritual: the gods were pleased according to all signs. Cn. Lentulus performing the rite of adoratio, leaving the altar.
Memorial battle
16. Back to the arms; Governor Lentulus in his capacity as centurio lines up his unit before the battle.
17. It's begun! Soldiers of the Legio XXI Rapax throwing their pila.
18. The centurion has shouted "Gladios stringite!"; attack with gladii swords.
Soldiers of the Legio XXI Rapax throwing their pila.
19. Clash of the front lines.
20. Moments of the battle: it was not fun to be there in 92 AD.
21. The barbarians are advancing - is the defeat unavoidable?
22. After the memorial battle, the unit's centurion and governor of the province, pontifex Cn. Cornelius Lentulus invokes the Manes of all soldiers ever of the Legio XXI Rapax, especially who died 1920 years ago in this fatal battle, and prays for them, and for the reenactors of Rapax. The spirits of Roman soldiers are present in this touching moment.
23. One minute of silence; bowing the heads and bowing the flag of Nova Roma in honor and for the memory of the Legio XXI Rapax. With this symbolic action, all of Nova Roma honors their memory. The reenactment battle was sort of fun, but in this moment all Nova Romans present were moved deeply as they realized these people had indeed died: "We really did this for them!"
Munus: gladiatorial combat
24. Our barbarian auxiliaries also practice the occupation of gladiator.
25.
Time travel surprise
