WHEN SUBURA FINALLY QUIETS DOWN
MOBS START AMASSING ON OTHER THREADS
Rome, by Diantha Livius
While "The Subura" threads are quietly resting after the numerous posts they received, other discussions are taking place on the public threads. For instance, on the Ancient Roman Artifacts thread located in "The Palatine", there is a discussion taking place about whether or not "it is ethical to buy and sell the cultural heritage of the past." Gnaius Cornelius starts the discourse in a great post titled, Roman Artifacts. Of course, the threads at "The Forum Romanum" never cease in activity. Threads such as: Rome in Television Movies and the Arts, Ancient Venus Cult, Roman Trivia Quiz (DIVISION TWO), Bloody Funny History!, and ATHEIST VIRTUAL CLUB have seen a bit of activity from more than a few of our most esteemed Romans. Some of the things you all say just amazes me.
I gave the group leaders a task this time. In a short period of time, they were to give me group updates. They came through with flying colors! Here's what is happening in the groups of Rome:
At this moment, Ars Romana is very active. We have a contest going on as we speak: Quaero Pulchritudinis. It started the 15th of June, so there is still plenty of time to join! Members are to search and post three of the most beautiful images of Roman Art. The main goals of this competion are obvious: that everyone has fun and learn at the same time and of course, elect the most extraordinary Roman Art piece. The voting will be done democratically by the contestants. It's the first contest in the group and we are excited to see how it will work. By some of the comments by the members, they are making an enthusiastic research. Good luck to everyone!
Augustus as a progandist? *gasp* *horror* Who would dare to say thing such a thing? Well, during the time of the forging of the Pax Romana, no one....at least not openly.
Actually, his Res Gestae is a wonderful example of effectively rewriting history and of course, he did manage to convince everyone that his rule as emperor was a mere extension of the old Republic. To join in or read more, visit the topic on Augustus in the group, Pax Romana.
Ever wish to visit Londonium? Well, now you can via archaeological illustrations in the group, Londonium. The illustrations include scenes of daily life, military life as well as general illustrations of the great frontier city herself. Visit Archaeological Illustrations to learn more.
The Tenth Muse has 36 members at present. There is a new thread called Epitaphs for ancient inscriptions that speak about the loss of someone near and dear. We continue to have original poems posted.
The group Arturus Rex counts 47 members presently were a few have joined lately. The group has not been very active since the change in group leadership due to some remodeling of the group, positions and boards.
This week, all members of the group shall receive a letter welcoming them back to the new and improved Arturus Rex. The group leader is the Lady of the Lake (Proserpina Curius), followed by two Editors for the moment: the High Priestess (MagesFurri Alexandros) and the Ollamh (Flidais Niafer). As well, we have two authors who have helped out immensely: Neima Neibet and Ember MacRoth who are both Priestesses.
The group has been divided into 4 different categories that members can identify their characters. There are the Druids and the Priestesses that care for all the knowledge of the Pagan Religion and The Knights and Ladies that care to defend Christianity as well as the honor of their King and Queen. Perhaps other categories will be added afterwards.
You can find all the history of the Druids, their rituals and festivals, sacred sites, myth and archaeological evidenced in the Druids’ Grove. While Avalon - Isle of Mist hides the secrets of the Origins of Avalon as well as archaeological evidence. You can also find information on the training of the Priestesses, rituals and celebrations as well as a trivia board. Within the world of Mythical Creatures, you shall find the myths of Unicorns, Dragons, Faeries, Gargoyles and many other type of mythological creature of the times.
The Holy Graal is the common ground for all Boards where announcements, promotions, questions and suggestions are found and let us not forget the opening of our new Dragon Rouge Tavern where all may drink and enjoy food, tales and music together. The Real King Arthur is dedicated to the knowledge of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and the famous Excalibur. Arthurian Literature, Art, and Film Board are to discuss all books, movies and music that relates to these boards. A new board will shortly be created for the positions of Ladies and their roles soon.
In other words, Arturus Rex is rising from the ashes and will be a center of knowledge and Role Play where legends become reality.
There are many mysteries hidden behind the closed doors of history. In this group, we intend to unlock those doors and search for the truth behind the mystery.
At Ancient Mysteries, there is a lot of action. The Lost Corner is still a hip and happening place where people come to socialize and have a drink. We have recently added some new boards: The Mystical Realm, where we explore mysteries that cannot be explained using sensory knowledge, then keep things in perspective on the Debunking Pseudo-Archaeology and Ersatz Science board, and lastly Foretelling the Future, which has a new thread, End of the World Predictions.
But, of course we have a number of other, historical mysteries to explore. For you history buffs, we have various topics to whet your appetites: What really happened? (Edward V and Richard III), Lost People - The Queen of Sheba, Mysteries of the Heavens, Lost Civilizations - Atlantis, Fact or Hoax?, Mysterious Creatures, Lost People: Jack the Ripper and many, many more. Please feel free to stop by and enjoy reading about Ancient Mysteries.
Having first come to prominence in early 1998, the Regia created an organization characterized by an interactive educational group understanding the issues of the third century that divided ancient history from medieval history. It is on this belief that the Regia has now expanded from focusing on the third century Roman Empire to that of the third century Near East (predominately the Sasanid Empire). On June 17th, the new board Ctesiphon will open up as an interactive educational field for people to appreciate the issues prior to the Islamic movement a few centuries later and how it was because of the Sasanid Empire, that not only the Near East had lost its antiquity but how the Roman Empire began its declination. It is through the success of the Ctesiphon board that the Regia shall begin its preparation for the biggest event in Regia (and Ancient Worlds) history by adding Chang'An in September. Chang'An will be the interactive educational board for the life of the ancient Far East in the third century and how it too had collapsed. We hope in this way, we shall understand and honor those that have lived in the Ancient Worlds. "What we do in life, echoes in eternity..."
As you can see, Rome is alive and thriving. Thanks to all of the group leaders who sent me updates on your groups on such short notice. You guys rock!
UPSTARTS SEEK TO OUST ASIATICUS IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS
IMPERIUM TAKES TO THE BALLOT BOX
Rome, Group Imperium, by Caius Livius
This month is the biggest month of the year for Imperium as it is the month of the year in which the civil elections take place. Candidates from across the political spectrum are running for political office in the coming year.
Pro-Consul Drakus Domitius Cordatus has pitched in his candidacy for that of Censor which following the conclusion of successful but lengthy campaign in Gallia Narbonensis should see him safely elected. At least with the Senatorial roll at his disposal he will be better placed to 'convince' people to grant him a triumph for Rome's Narbonese conquest. Caius Livius Drusus is running for a low key second consulship after a year as Censor and though he has pledged he will not be seeking to leave Rome on command this has made fellow candidate Marcus Oppius Phillipus nervous enough of not being elected for him to withdraw his candidacy for Consul and instead run as Tribune of the Plebes. He runs on a ticket of veto for breakfast, veto for lunch and you guessed it... veto for dinner! With a plan like that I wouldn't be surprised if the day concluded with poisoned wine for night-cap!
Marcus Claudius Asiaticus has so enjoyed his year as Pontifex Maximus that he has decided to stand for the post again this year. Unkind voices in the forum say it's because he's sweet on one of the Vestals.
A couple of relative newcomers, Cnaeus Ulpius Sisenna and Lucius Urgulanius Longinus have pitched in for a provincial praetorship and hope to snap up a nice fat juicy province to rape and mismanage, unfortunately two of the best, Sicilia and Baetica have already been reserved by former Consulars, Patricus Curius Hibernicus and Marcus Fulvius Sesquiculum for their pro-Consular stint. Looks like the other will have to settle for the smaller provinces and those with greater levels of unrest.
A slew of Quaetorial candidates include Lucius Sempronius Fidelis and Marcus Minutius Palus who take their first steps on the cursus honorum that they hope will, one day lead them to the curule chair. Sempronius has come from a fairly quiet year of getting to know Rome and its institutions and should find that he will attract voters to his quiet, modest style. Palus on the other hand comes from a fiery year as Tribune of the Plebes which saw him twice bring the legislative process to a halt in his bitter contest with fellow Tribune, Qunitus Genucius Clepsina. With Clepsina now missing, presumed murdered, Palus' veto happy style has softened so he should have less trouble attracting votes than he would have had earlier in the year.
Lastly, but by now means least, we have new man Arminius Terentius Auricomus running for a coveted and popular games aedileship. Following Lucius Valerius Flaccus stunning year as Aedile in which he built up great political clout with the people from the provision of both exciting races and bloody gladiatorial combats, Auricomus looks set to become yet another darling of the people and much sought after supporter at the next elections. Flaccus meanwhile is moving into the military with a Legateship.
Other notables such as outgoing Consul Decimus Junius Pompeius, ProConsul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (both engaged in war with the Seleucids in the east), Legate Caius Fabius Mutinensis, (on his way back from a successful subjugation of the Orican revolt), Military Quaestor, Marcus Flaminius Lenas (on his way back from Narbonese Gaul) and Commander Seneca Livius Atrebas (fighting the stubborn Etrurian revolt) are all engaged in military careers that preclude their candidacy for civil office this year.
Sound good? Thing you're man or woman enough to do the same? Check out Imperium, there isn't anything better.
THE STORY YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE
IT'S NOT A DEMOCRACY, BUT AT LEAST IT IS A REPUBLIC
Rome, Group ResPublica Romana, by Diantha Livius
ResPublica Romana is an interactive writing group where we mix fact and fiction about Ancient Rome and the Romans. We are not necessarily stuck in Rome, nor are we so straightforward and serious all the time. There are different areas in which we have fun and let off steam. One such thread is the Caption Contest, which is headed by Falco Domitius. There have been many side-splitting entries on this topic, it is often hard to choose a winner. Another enjoyable area of the group is The Dying Gaul. In this taberna, members come together in a loose environment where anything goes!
More serious writing can be found at Voices of Thunder (an interactive story). This board is set up in the time of TiberiusÂ’ reign, just as he left Rome for Capri. There are many threads on this board, where members post about life in different provinces of Rome. But, the most active one is, of course, Roma Aeterna. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue going on in Rome, now that Tiberius has removed to Capri and Sejanus is beginning to seek his own power in Rome. Hardly anyone has escaped plotting and subterfuge in the capital. There are many excellent writers with various stories, but IÂ’m sure you will enjoy reading them all!
Didius Silva has struck out on his own and is writing mystery stories at ResPublica Romana. The first series contains four books: "Murder in the House of Varrus!!!", The Professionals!!!, The Centurion Wore a Stola!!! and The Circus Maximus Murders. He is continuing his writing on another board titled Uneasy Lies the Head.
Now, we shall leave Rome for the lovely isle of Britannia. In the story of Nostra Britannia, Caesar has not yet invaded. But, the Atrebates have arrived and are starting to cut out a piece of it for themselves. The Iceni, who have long lived on the land have just received an envoy. Avella Iceni, a young woman and healer, has found a mysterious man while out collecting herbs one day. The man is a shipwrecked Roman, Decius Aemilius, and her bringing him to her village has caused problems. But, the arrival of Commis Atrebas to the quaint town has given her a brief reprieve.
Please feel free to join us at ResPublica Romana where the story you've always wanted to write can come to life in an interactive setting.
NEW GROUP TO SEEK THE SPARTAN TRADITION
SIMONIDES WOULD AGREE
Athens, Group Sparta, by Nikolaos Cleomenes
The new Group named after the city-state of Sparta is an academic community for the seekers of the Spartan tradition, thought and culture throughout the ancient times. What did the Greeks believe to be the ancestors of the Spartans? When did they inhabit Laconia at Peloponnesus? How many archaeological evidences we have for supporting our knowledge for the Spartans? How the city of Sparta born? What we know about their leaders, their women and children? Are we familiar with the Spartan religious life and culture? How did they use the art of war and the political art?
All those answers can be given all the way through of numerous discussions and debates at the Board of the group. We really want to developed a group with a completely jam-packed board that leads to a totally fulfill research on that matter.
"Their tomb is an altar on which stands our bowls of remembrance
and the wine of our praise.
Neither mold nor worms, nor time
which destroys all things, will blacken their deaths.
The shrine of these brave men
has found its guardian
in the glory of Greece. Leonidas, the Spartan King,
lives in the great ornament he left behind
of unending fame and virtue."
- Simonides
EGYPT FLOATING LIKE THE NILE
GROUPS FLOODING WITH ACTIVITY
Egypt, by Onions Hatshepsut
After learning that the mummy of Nefertiti, the exotically beautiful wife to
Akhenaten as well as his powerful Queen, may have been hiding in
(relatively) plain sight for over a hundred years, we now attend to affairs
cyber and closer to hand.
Well, our first stop is to the roleplaying kingdom of KMT, where we land
squarely in the ~*Arcade Aegyptus*~, home to a fancy bunch of Aegyptian
games and learning events. This leads to fine places to play and learn,
without ever even having to think about roleplay, if such is your heart's
desire!
More importantly, however, is that the Acta is going to be coming out during
the Opet Festival, the weekend of June 14th and 15th - under the auspices of
the highly successful roleplay, The Golden Horus. The Golden Horus has over
2000 posts, is set in the New Kingdom, at the end of the reign of Seti I.
Drop on by; the Opet Festival appreciates and welcomes all comers! Massive
kudos to Hapshetsut Nebet, and her fine crew of regular roleplayers, Opet
organizers, and many friends!
Our other prominent roleplay in KMT is Ta-meri: Heredet ne Hap! - and I
love that flaming logo! Set in late Ptolemeic Egypt, this roleplay offers
Roman intrigue, Egyptian counter-intrigue and more. Your roleplay
organizers are Senenmut Hatshepsut, NahehAakhu Hatshepsut, and Ancksunamun
Meritamen, and to them likewise we extend massive kudos.
KMT also offers the more mystically-minded The Chasm:::- Mystic Realm of
KMT, under the capable guidance of Neima Nebet.
In other KMT roleplay news, The Old Kingdom is gathering steam in Memphis,
under the direction of Akhenhotep Horemheb; and Ayesha Meritamen's
Amarna-based roleplay, Horizon of the Aten, is getting itself geared up.
Now, for the academic areas ~ the Alexandria Library has been open for
months, now, and continues to accumulate the wisdom of the ages. All
members of the Library are welcome to post, we've got guidelines to make the
affair as useful to researchers and the curious as possible! Standout
researchers of recent note include Hapshetsut Nebet, Tryphaena Hatshepsut,
Reylari Ramesses, Avram Sithathor , Uadjet Ramesses, AnpuAnubis Ramesses,
ArchivesIsis Ramesses, Lotus Horemheb, and KismetNefertari Ramesses.
Massive thanks to all our researchers! You truly help make our Alexandria
Library the resource it is rapidly becoming.
What else can you do in Egypt? You can visit Ancient Expressions, and learn
how to write (not walk) like an Egyptian. All script forms are covered
here. You can discuss the role of women, in Women of the Two Lands, or
visit its infamous Kaffa Café. Architectural Methods handles the notable
architecture of millenia. In Historical R&R, you'll find Seven Wonders,
home to the seven wonders of the ancient world, social as well as
educational.
Limited to the number of groups you can join? Visit Egypt's main boards:
Trivia, History, and Egyptomania all await you. Not to mention the decided
welcoming pleasures of Alexandria's prime nightspot, always classy and
always hopping: The Bar O, Alexandria After Dark, run by that excellent
loinclothed proprietor, Oset Ramesses.
Egypt. The waters of the Nile are running well this season. Stop on by.
Queen Nefertiti awaits.
KAS, KINGS AND KARNAK, OR HOW TO PARTY IN WASET IN THREE EASY STEPS
THE OPET FESTIVAL GETS UNDERWAY IN EGYPT
Egypt, by Hapshetsut Nebet
An annual event, the Opet Festival was celebrated in Thebes in Upper Egypt in
the second
month of Akhet around the time of the Inundation. The festival always began
close to the
start of the first season of the Egyptian year. It lasted between eleven and
twenty seven
days, its length increasing through successive dynasties. The festival's purpose
was twofold:
to ensure the continued success of the king's cultus; and to secure cosmic and
earthly rebirth
and regeneration. The temple rituals in "His [Amun's] beautiful festival of
Opet were, as were
those of other festivals, ways to promote "social cohesion by validating the
king's preeminent
role in society."
Proper observance of the rituals associated with the festival was considered
necessary to
ensure that the king was freshly identified with the royal ka, to ensure that
divine kingship
was reborn and to reconfirm a particular king's right to rule.
While the Opet did celebrate the mystical union of god and king, it had enormous
significance
in other ways as well. It "secured the regeneration of the Creator, Amun of
Luxor, the rebirth
of Amun-Re at Karnak, and the recreation of the cosmos." This was achieved only
by careful
adherence to ritual which, if successful, would allow the gods to step outside
the created
world into the maelstrom of chaos and disorder, where they could tap into the
raw power of
the cosmos to recharge their batteries, refreshing their created world for the
coming year.
Done correctly, rebirth and regeneration would occur; if done incorrectly, chaos
would engulf
the world.
It's unknown when the festival first began to be celebrated in Thebes or what
form it
originally took. Earliest physical evidence comes from Hatshepsut's
now-dismantled Chapelle
Rouge at Karnak. It's possible that Hatshepsut actively developed the Opet
festival as a way
to underscore her divinity and the legitimacy of her rule.
Scenes carved in bas relief at Luxor dating from the late Eighteenth Dynasty
illustrate the
main phases of Amun's procession from Karnak to Luxor and back again. Bell
suggests that
the procession began in the Festival Hall of Thutmosis III, located in a
separate section from
Amun's sanctuary. It is here that the king is depicted as being Amun-Re's
earthly
manifestation. Known as the Akhmenu, this was where the sacred barque containing
the
king's ka statue was probably kept.
From the Akhmenu, the procession moved to the main sanctuary to collect
Amun-Re's barque.
Shaped like a papyriform boat, the prow and stern decorated with the god's head
in its
anthropomorphic state (ram), roof ornamented with uraei, the centrally located
shrine was
used to house the god's ka statue. The procession then exited to the open court
where it
headed for the Khonsu Temple to collect the god's ka statue. Offerings to the
god were
made then the procession continued along the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to
the Temple
of Mut, where Mut's ka statue joined the procession. Amun-Re's barque paused
twice before
it joined the others to head overland to the Nile: once at the sanctuary of the
serpent god
Kamutef and also at one of Hatshepsut's way station where the king made
offerings to Amun-
Re.
Luxor could be reached via land or river and both were used though it may be
that the river
route was favoured particularly after Hatshepsut's reign. Both offered the
common people an
opportunity to become part of the event as spectators. On land, questions,
relayed via the
priests, that could be answered with a simple yes and no were asked of Amun-Re.
Though
the god was always hidden from view particular movements of the barque,
supported on the
shoulders of w'b priests, would be interpreted as an answer.
When the river route was used, individual barges were used to transport king and
Amun-Re,
Mut and Khonsu to Luxor. It must have been an exciting sight for those who
viewed the
moving procession: the noise, the excited spectators, the vibrancy of colour as
the regal and
divine barges were slowly drawn southwards to Luxor against the current by
sailors who
pulled on ropes to propel them.
When the procession arrived at Luxor, it entered the peristyle courtyard by one
or the other
of two ceremonial entrances. It was there that Ramesses II's triple barque
shrine was
located and where the procession paused to allow the king to perform rituals,
offer sacrifice
to the Theban triad. Bell suggests that the eastern section of the courtyard
was probably
filled with those fortunates chosen to see this part of the ceremony and who
have accessed
the courtyard prior to the procession's arrival though the People's Gate. For
the most part,
these would have been high officials, persons of rank as it was the elite who
most likely to
watch the ceremonies within the temples themselves. Witnesses would have been a
very
necessary element in the cultus of the king to affirm the transformation of the
divine king. It
was only the highest-ranking priests observed the sacred communication between
god and
king.
After a rest the procession, continuing its journey towards the inner barque
sanctuary, would
disappear from view as it entered the darkened colonnade, emerging shortly after
into the
sun court of Amenhotep III, where more of the populace was gathered. Those who
waited
here would be the first to see the transformed king.
The procession then entered the hypostyle portico moving out of sight of those
gathered in
the sun court. Inside the core temple, the barques of Mut and Khonsu were
installed in the
small chapels that flanked the entrance to the Chamber of the Divine King while
the barques
of Amun-Re and the king continued on. The king's would halt in one of the two
chapel
openings attached to the rear of the Chamber, while Amun-Re's would exit the
Chamber,
traverse the offering vestibule behind it, and come to rest in the barque
sancuary beyond.
It was in the Chamber of the Divine King that the king's coronation rites were
repeated after
the obligatory purification with water and the ritual greeting to Amun-Re.
According to Bell,
the "god (or rather, the priest playing the role of god) placed the various
forms crown, one by
one, on the king's head, verifying that they fit and that the pharaoh was ready
to assume the
many duties of kingship on earth. During each separate crowning, the king knelt
before
Amun-Re with his back toward the god, and the deity placed his hands on the
king's head or
crown from behind in the protective gesture characteristic of the royal ka . . .
Through this
laying on of hands, the royal ka was transmitted metaphysically from Father to
Son." And so
divine kingship was born afresh.
The next and climactic stage in the Opet ceremony was enacted in the sacred
barque
sanctuary. As the high-ranking priests recited texts, the king presented
offerings to the
god. Well-performed, these offerings rebounded on the giver ensuring a divine
blessing in
return. "When the king performed a sacrifice properly, and it had a re-creative effect on god,
the deity responded in kind, re-creating the king." At that point, when the king
opened the
barque doors and came into the presence of his divine Father, Amun-Re's glory
reflected back
onto the king turning the king into a renewed god.
References and Quotes:
Lanny Bell, "The New Kingdom Divine Temple ~ The Example of
Luxor." Temples of Ancient Egypt ed. Byron Shafer
BABYLONIAN LIBRARY FINDS A NEW HOME - AS DOES THE KING
NEW BOARDS UNDERWAY IN BABYLON
Babylon, by Leah Enkidu
We are pleased to announce The Library of Babylon has its own board.
This will make finding the library much easier and also showcase the hard work and dedication that Marie Siduri has done and continues to do.
She compiled an amazing list of informative links that I consider the best on the web.
We also have opened another new board in Babylon:
Days before the festival of the Sun, Inti Raymi, people all over Tawantinsuyu are busy. Those who live in Qosqo are busy with the preparations for the festival and those who live in the other suyu's, travel by foot towards the capital.
The 
For those of you who do not know, 
Visit the