A WORD FROM OUR EMPEROR

by Julian Augustus

Salvete Citizens! I am proud to announce the inaugural issue of the ACTA ROMA. It will definitely become a welcome part of your experience in ROMA. The estate contains a lot of information and houses many active groups. The ACTA ROMA will pull together everything to keep you up to date with what is happening in the estate. If you would like to contribute to the ACTA, or become one of its reporters, or have an idea for a new feature, contact editor Spaciva Ivanova or ROMA Scribae magister William Gide. Valete!

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NOVEMBER FESTIVAL LUDI PLEBEII

by Angelia Rees, Vestalis Maxima

Our November festival is the Ludi Plebeii - the original Ludi Plebeii were games instituted in commemoration of the reconciliation between the patricians and plebians after the plebians removed to the Aventine. The central focus of the Ludi was the Feast of Jupiter, on the Ides of November, this date being sacred to Him. In our Ludi Plebeii, we will have 2 days of games and feasting in Jupiter's honour - so please join us for these fun-filled events! There are even chances to win prizes!


***Festival Schedule***

21st Nov. :

The Feast of Jupiter - 10am

ROMA Agitatores Chariot Races - 12pm (Noon)

Palaestra Plebeii- 2pm


22nd Nov. :

Ludi Lectica Race - 10am

Legion XIII Archery Contest - 12pm (Noon)

Thanksgiving Turkey Hunt - 2pm

Jupiter's Grand Feast - 4pm

(For more detailed information on individual events, please click here)

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SLAVE AUCTION IN SUBURA

by Peter Woody

A special slave auction took place on Nov 4th in Subura where Mango Achille Claudius had several slaves from the provinces on display.

Crowds of patricians, soldiers and simple citizens gathered in front of the Latrinae in hopes of finding a bargain.

Strangely enough, moments after they were purchased, many of the slaves managed to escape.

Citizens, suspicious that the Mango was involved with the loss of their new slaves thought to report him to the praetorian guard, but feared any complaints would not be heard because of the Mango's many connections with the higher ranking guards

Two of the escaped slaves, Pompeo Giordano, once a clerk in a well known shop, and Sheherazade, a beautiful slave from the Orient, were last seen running hand in hand toward a public park where they disappeared.

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FROM THE SENATE

by William Gide

The ROMA Senate met on November 8th. While several Senators were absent during this session, it was otherwise well-attended. Prefect Torin Golding, giving his usual "State of the Sim" address, said that ROMA is finally starting to feel the bite of hard economic times. In addition to the somewhat bare Marketplace, for the first time in quite a while there are unrented plots in the Subura Sim.

The biggest shock of the session came after Princeps Maali Beck expressed concern about the low attendance of Senators. JT Vale made the radical suggestion that the current Senate be dissolved and a new one formed. After the Praetorian Guard calmed down and put aside their gladii, a wide-ranging discussion was had on ways to both clarify the Senate's role and also to enable broad citizen participation in ROMA's organizational life. After a discussion lasting over an hour and half, the Senate agreed to continue the discussion in the Curia message board. All citizens should visit http://romacitizens.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=curia&action=display&thread=267 to see current proposals, and to participate in the discussion themselves.

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FROM THE LEGIO XIII GEMINA and AMAZON AUX

by Pilus Prior Spaciva Ivanova

The long awaited shipment of new weapons and shields has finally arrived from Iberia ! Their well-known manufacture of high-grade iron, that is considered steel by most experts, gives us weapons which are renowned for their strength, power, and durability. Without a doubt Iberian swords are among the finest in the world.

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THINGS TO DO IN ROMA

CHANGES TO ROMA (OCT-NOV 09)

As many Citizens may have noticed, soon after the "ROMA @ III" festival, the Prefect Torin made some substantial changes to the north eastern corner of ROMA. Here is a list of the new developments:


1. The Circus Maximus Hippodrome has been moved to the edge of the ROMA sim and parts rebuilt in order to accommodate a new seating platform. Spectators will now be able to sit across the sim line from the racers during races, hopefully reducing the lag for the charioteers.

2. Visitors can access the entrance of the new Hippodrome via a new plaza behind the Markets of Trajan. More development will occur in this area in the future.

3. The Imperial Palace and its fantastic mosaic by Orion Sinister has been shifted to the east, allowing it to tower more majestically over the racetrack, like the historical Domus Domitiana towered over the Roman Circus Maximus.

4. The Gardens of Maecenas has been redesigned and now includes a pool based on the canopus at Hadrian's Villa.

5. At the southern end of the Garden is a new classical pavillion. It will be developed further in the future, but for now creates more of a classical skyline from the Plaza, where most people start their exploration of ROMA.

6. The Theater of Dionysus has been moved to overlook the Transtiberim sim and has been redesigned.

7. The Theater has gotten an attached quadroporticus. The golden statue of Julian has been moved here from the Forum.

8. Trajan's Column in the Forum has been enlarged, redesigned, and moved to the west of the Temple of Jupiter. Now when you climb atop it you will be above the clouds in ROMA and have a great view of the sims.

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LATIN WORD of the DAY

by Tonina Rodenberger

AMICITIA, ae, f. = friendship, alliance

In Roman times "amicitia" described more a friendly relationship in the social and political sector and was therefore an important term also for foreign politics. For a more personal friendship the term "familiaris" was used.

amicitiam petere = to aim for friendship

amicitiam dirumpere = to break off friendship

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REAL HISTORY IN ANCIENT ROME

THE LUDI PLEBEII

by Spaciva Ivanova

In November, the Pleabeian Aediles put on the Ludi Plebeii. They are second only to the Ludi Romani as the oldest surviving games. Theatrical performances, races, games and feasting were among the entertainments enjoyed by the Senators and the People of Rome. Sacrifices were made at the temples in the city and bonfires were set ablaze at sunset.

The Epulum Iuvus , a great public feast was celebrated in honor of Jupiter and Juno on the Ides of November during the games.

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CITIZENS IN THE NEWS

by Popea Heron

Evil omen ?

One hardly dares to imagine a vestal would cause the extinction of fire in the temple of Vesta...

Some onlookers, on their way home after an evening at the tavern, witnessed a priestess being thrown out of the temple.

Curious, the drunks followed a closed litter to the Campus Sceleratus near the Hill door.

Stay tuned.

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A NEW ROMA SUCCESS!

Meanwhile the RAS, ROMA Achievement System, is about a month old now and has proven to be a great success! Citizens have rediscovered some areas of the estate and have been working to add achievement badges to their profile. New achievements and prizes will be unveiled this month so keep an eye on the ROMA blog (http://romacitizens.blogspot.com/) and website (http://romacitizens.com/achievements.html).

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BIRTHDAYS IN THE NEWS

This month we celebrate (Is that the right word?) the birth of Tiberius Caesar Augustus. Born November 16, 42BC to Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla and later adopted by Augustus. Let's add another candle to the birthday cake and set the town ablaze ! Wait.. that was Nero ...........

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CITIZEN LETTERS

= ASK (an Advice Column) =

by ????

Have a problem ??? Need advice ?? Write to our new advice columnist ! One or more letters will be chosen and published in each edition. So send in those letters !! Send them care of the editor, Spaciva Ivanova

= LETTERS TO THE EDITOR =

.... from everyone. We're asking for your opinions, questions, praises and criticisms.... Send us your thoughts ! Send your letters to: Editor, Spaciva Ivanova

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ASTROLOGY

by Serafina Itano

~~mensis Novembris~~

November is the month of the scorpion. One of the various greek myths tells us that Artemis created a gigantic scorpion to kill Orion. The creature succeeded, and after his death, the goddesses asked Zeus to place Orion among the constellations. Zeus consented but added the Scorpion to the heaven as well. Allegedly they still fight in the sky. Which predictions can one derive from it? I warn the Imperium not to initiate a war in November. The result would be an endless battle without winners.

Scorpio is the eighth sign in the Zodiac.

Of the classical elements ~water, fire, earth and air~ Scorpio is represented by Water.

Scorpio is ruled by Mars, the God of War

People born under the sign of the Scorpion are determined, emotional and intuitive.

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CRITICS CORNER

A book review by Serafina Itano

L. Annaeus Seneca
-Medea-

Once again Seneca lay in labour pains and was delivered of a new drama. New? His latest literary offspring may be new, but the story itself is well known. This time the myth of Medea is Seneca's subject. Medea, daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, niece of Circe and granddaughter of the sun god Helios, married the hero Jason. Jason is the fellow you may remember as the leader of the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Jason leaves Medea when Creon, King of Corinth, offers him his daughter Glauce. Seneca's tragedy tells of how Medea gets her revenge on her husband for this betrayal. And, as usual, Seneca spices his drama with detailed described cruelty. If you are a fan of stories full of revenge, rage, magic and a few hearty murders, you will enjoy this book.

That said, it is the usual fare Seneca serves his readers and for that reason I give it: *** 3 out of 5 stars for a standard tragedy with an aged plot.

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AUGURIES

By Ludovik Cazenove

COMING SOON !!

Auspiciis hanc urbem conditam esse, auspiciis bello ac pace domi militiaeque omnia geri, quis est qui ignoret?

"Who does not know that this city was founded only after taking the divinations, that everything in war and in peace, at home and abroad, was done only after taking the divinations? "

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