Welcome to Issue VII of the Acta Diurna. We’re entering the Dog Days, that steamy time of year when sun, fun and the curling smoke of burnt offerings wafts over the land. Summer is here in earnest, and if all that outdoor activity is making you sweat a bit, come inside and see what’s shaking here at Ancient Worlds in cool, air-conditioned comfort.

Our World Editors have placed the latest news from the far corners of the realm at your fingertips, with something for every taste. Can we talk ? In Visigoth ?? Explore Germanic languages at Kunjarazdoz. If your interested in Roman Law ( a personal fave of mine) check out Lex Romana. If your focus is on strategy and military history visit The Academy, The War College of Sun-Tzu or read an excellent article about Thucydides’ opinion of the Spartans. Need a beach read ? Check out a scroll from the Alexandria Library and never pay a fine.

Role-play in Celtia , or travel across the ocean and find out how the ancient Americans lived. If the hardball world of politics is your bent, tune in to a fascinating critique of Cicero’s attacks on Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. They say that all’s fair in war and love, but in Mesopotamia, you’ll discover there are rules for romance that the gods themselves must obey ! Scientific discoveries about the ancient world make headlines every day, and you can read more about it right here. For instance, archaeologists in Europe have discovered what may be the earliest civilization on the continent, unearthing the remains of temples far older than the pyramids. In Israel, botanists have coaxed a 2,000 year old date palm seed to germinate and grow, an amazing example of endurance and vitality.

Speaking of endurance and vitality, I want to take note of a significant milestone. It was ten years ago this month that the online game, SPQR, was launched on the old Time –Warner Pathfinder site. The game’s detailed immersive experience of third century Rome was an instant hit with gamers and history lovers alike. More important, these fans became pioneers of a new concept, the interest-based online community. Despite serious challenges and setbacks thru the years the founders of the game, and the fans they inspired, persevered and attracted new devotees. The result is this remarkable community, one that continues to grow and evolve through the creative vitality of her members, old and new. In a world as ephemeral as the Web this longevity is no mean achievement, and is a testament, not only to our unending fascination with the past, but also to the lasting friendships and camaraderie we’ve shared here. So here’s a salute to those who kindled the flame and to all of you who keep it burning, here, at Ancient Worlds !

Your humble servitor,
Anticus Cornelius