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Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:32 pm
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Salvete, Quirites -

22 XI Kal Ian C: (Ante diem XI Kalendas Ianuarias, [C]) (12/22/08 )
- SATURNALIA
- Feriae Lares Permarinus for seafaring spirits and those who died at sea, celebrated at the Porticus Minuciae (179 BCE).
- Feast of Isis. [Marce Lupinii, de te memor sum!]
- Birth of Inanna.

23 X Kal Ian NP: (Ante diem X Kalendas Ianuarias, [NP]) (12/23/08 )
- SATURNALIA
- Feriae Iovi.
- Hercules.
- LARENTALIA when the flamen Quirinalis performed a parentatio to Acca Larentia and pontifices sacrificed to the Manes Serviles at the tomb of Acca on the Velabrum at the Nova Via outside the Porta Romanula.
- Diana in the Circus Flaminium (179).
- Iuno Regina in the Circus Flaminium (179 BCE).
- Tempestatibus at the Porta Capena (259 BCE).

24 IX Kal Ian C: (Ante diem IX Kalendas Ianuarias, [C]) (12/24/08 )
"Don’t carry fire logs into a forest." (Horace, Satires 1.10.34)

25 VIII Kal Ian C: (Ante diem IX Kalendas Ianuarias, [C]) (12/25/08 )
- Agonalia (celebrated several times in the year).
- Sol Invictus establ. 274 CE, celebrated by 30 chariot races.
- Natalis Mithras.
- The winter solstice in the time of the Republic, this day came to be identified as the birth date of many solar deities [inlcuding, of course, Christus Iesu].

Do any of our socii need a primer on rendering the shorthand calendar notations comprehensible? For those who do, briefly and without claiming to be utterly correct in all regards:
What does "22 XI Kal Ian C:" mean?
- 22 - This '22' is for orientation purposes, indicating this is the 22nd of the conventional Gregorian month.
- XI - the numeral only is given but it stands for 'Ante diem X1', ie, this is the 11th day before -, ie, 10 days until - the governing day of the month - the Kalends, the Nones, or the Ides. And so:
- XI Kal Ian - this means more specifically, 'This is the 11th day before (and including) the Kalends of Ianuarius', the Kalends being the first proper day of the new month.
C: These letter-codes denote which of several kinds of Roman days it will be; in this case, it would be a Dies Comitialis, a Day for Assemblies(and also Courts) to be held.
[C] Comitialis: Comitia yes; Courts yes.
[NP] Nefastus Publicus, a special sort of day: Comitia no; Courts no. In addition, ordinary citizens may not commit acts of physical violence, or begin lawsuits, and should try to avoid quarrels.
- There are a number of types of days and I, for one, still need a legend to get the day-codes and their specifics correct.


Valete, his in festivis diebus!

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:06 am
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Salvete, Quirites -

Fasti for the 26th thru the 28th of December:


Ante diem VII Kalendas Ianuarias C: 12/26/08
[C] Comitialis - Comitia yes; Courts no.
From the SVR Kalendar:

- To take hold of a problem, rather than allow the opportunity to slip away, is how to solve a problem. (Livy 30.30.7)
- SVR founds Collegium Graecum, 2001 CE.

Ante d. VI Kal Ian C: 12/27/08
[C] Comitialis - Comitia yes; Courts no.

- The patient and brave man makes himself happy. (Publilius Syrus 464)

Ante d. V Kal Ian C: 12/28/08
[C] Comitialis - Comitia yes; Courts no.

- A drop of water may hollow a stone. (Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto 4.10.5)

Valete.

Re: Fasti - Vetus Annus labitur....

PostPosted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:23 pm
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Salvete, quicumque legant -

Saturnalia past, Sol reborn, Winter lingering on. For Monday, 12/29/08:


Ante d. IV Kal Ian C:
[Comitialis - Comitia yes, Courts yes.]

- Compitalia: The Compitalia are a rustic celebration at the end of the farming season, having no fixed date but falling between the end of Saturnalia and the Nones of January.

Bene valete.

Fasti: 30-31 December 2008

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:40 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani!

The Fasti for Tuesday, 30 December:


III Kal Ian [C]


"The careful swain looks keenly forward to the coming year." (Virgil, Georg. II)



And for Wednesday, the 31st:


Pridie Kal Ian [F]


"Just as fragile ice thaws, so will anger disappear over time." (Ovid, Ars Amatoria 1.374)



In fide,

Fasti Primer

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:18 pm
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani!

Curator Iohannes has requested a day-primer, and I'm thinking no one else will mind if I post one either. Here is the one from the very first message in the Fasti topic. (Now, see? --I've saved y'all a hunt-and-peck.) >({|;-)

The kinds of days and their abbreviations:

[F] Fastus (comitia: no; courts: yes)
[C] Comitialis (comitia: yes; courts: yes)
[N] Nefastus (comitia: no; courts: no)
[NP] Nefastus Publicus (comitia: no; courts: no)
* ordinary citizens may not commit acts of physical violence, or begin lawsuits, and should try to avoid quarrels
[but robust and lively debate is acceptable]
* slaves are allowed the day off work
* ordinary citizens may not do any physical labour except what is urgently necessary and can't be postponed
* the Flamines and the Rex Sacrorum may not see anyone doing any physical labour, and may fine anyone they see doing physical labour.


[EN] Endotercisus or Intercisus (morning: N; afternoon: F; evening: N)
[FP] Fastus Publicus (or Principio)...meaning is disputed;

* if Principio, they may be fasti in the morning and nefasti in the afternoon and evening;
* if Publicus, it may be another term for Nefastus Publicus.
(which sounds strange, but may be comparable to how we use "holiday" and "holy day")
[QRCF] Quando Rex Comitiavit Fas (N until the Rex Sacrorum appears in the Comitia, then F)
[QSDF] Quando Stercus Delatum Fas (N until the Temple of Vesta has been cleaned, then F)

Ater (unlucky)
*Try to avoid making journeys, starting new projects, or doing anything risky.
*Certain gods, including Iuppiter and Ianus, may not be named.
*These days are ill-omened to begin any new project, and any new project would necessarily begin by performing a rite calling for the assistance of the gods. Such religious rites, beginning something new, are not to be performed.
*New fire should not be struck.

NOTA BENE: Normal work would still be performed on dies atri, and as part of performing any work one performs rites for the patron deities, geni locii, and other appropriate deities. Likewise, the daily routine is also performed before the lararium.

Religiosus (vitiosus): like dies atri, but less bad:
* Avoid making journeys, starting new projects, doing anything risky.
* No private religious rites may be performed, subject to the same comment as for dies atri.

---==| Unless otherwise noted, ordinary citizens (not magistrates) may do anything. |==---

May this little guide be useful in helping us to enjoy the coming year!

In fide,

Dies Kalendis Ianuariis MMDCCLXII!!

PostPosted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:19 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani...and Welcome to the new Forum and the new Year!

"Janus, though You begin each fleeting year, and renew the long ages wherever You appear, though vows and incense are piously first offered to You, and the consuls begin each year by laying offerings at Your feet..." (Martial 8.8.1-5)

The Fasti--the great big Fasti--for 1 Ianuary 2009:


Kalendae Ianuariae [F]
Notes:
The Kalends of every month is sacred to Iuno, and today is sacred to Ianus.


The SVR calendar describes a very busy day:

  • Natalis Aesculapis (291BCE)
  • Natalis Vediovis (200BCE).
  • Strenia: Give gifts (strenae) to loved ones, and burn twigs of laurel upon an altar.
  • Auspici Magistratum: The consules take office (beginning 153 BCE) by viewing the auspices for the coming year at the Auguralium on the Arx and then offering sacrifices to Jupiter at the Capitolium.
  • Dedication of Trajan’s Forum, 112 CE.
  • Ascension of Pertinax, 193 CE.

And, from the [fasti] List itself, this prayer to Ianus, who looks upon both past and future--the god of portals, of thresholds, and more broadly of transitions:

Two-headed Janus, source of the silently gliding year,
The only god who is able to see behind him,
Be favourable to the leaders, whose labours win
Peace for the fertile earth, peace for the seas:
Be favourable to the senate and Roman people,
And with a nod unbar the shining temples.
A prosperous day dawns: favour our thoughts and speech!
Let auspicious words be said on this auspicious day.
Let our ears be free of lawsuits then, and banish
Mad disputes now: you, malicious tongues, cease wagging!
See how the air shines with fragrant fire,
And Cilician grains crackle on lit hearths!
The flame beats brightly on the temple’s gold,
And spreads a flickering light on the shrine’s roof.
Spotless garments make their way to Tarpeian Heights,
And the crowd wear the colours of the festival:
Now the new rods and axes lead, new purple glows,
And the distinctive ivory chair feels fresh weight.

Then I asked why the first day wasn’t free
Of litigation. ‘Know the cause,’ said Janus,
‘I assigned the nascent time to business affairs,
Lest by its omen the whole year should be idle.
For that reason everyone merely toys with their skills,
And does no more than give witness to their work.’

‘But, why are joyful words spoken on the Kalends,
And why do we give and receive good wishes?’
Then leaning on the staff he gripped in his right hand,
He answered: ‘Omens attend upon beginnings.’
Anxious, your ears are alert at the first word,
And the augur interprets the first bird that he sees.
When the temples and ears of the gods are open,
The tongue speaks no idle prayer, words have weight.’
Janus ended. Maintaining only a short silence
I followed his final words with my own:
‘What do the gifts of dates and dried figs mean’,
I said, ‘And the honey glistening in a snow-white jar?’
‘For the omen,’ he said, ‘so that events match the savour,
So the course of the year might be sweet as its start.’



In fide,

Fasti: Friday, 2 Ian 09

PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:20 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani!

The Fasti for Friday, 2 Ianuarius:


ante diem IV Nonas Ianuarias [F] Ater
Notes:
After every Kalends, Nones, or Ides, the next day is Ater, a "black day" on which nothing new may be begun.


In his Fasti, Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid) explains why this is so:


vindicat Ausonias Iunonis cura Kalendas;
Idibus alba Iovi grandior agna cadit;
Nonarum tutela deo caret. omnibus istis
(ne fallare cave) proximus ater erit.
omen ab eventu est: illis nam Roma diebus
damna sub averso tristia Marte tulit.
haec mihi dicta semel, totis haerentia fastis,
ne seriem rerum scindere cogar, erunt.



The worship of Juno claims our Italy's Kalends,
While a larger white ewe-lamb falls to Jupiter on the Ides:
The Nones though lack a tutelary god. After all these days,
(Beware of any error!), the next day will be ill-omened.
The ill-omen derives from past events: since on those days
Rome suffered heavy losses in military defeat.
Let these words above be applied to the whole calendar,
So I'll not be forced to break my thread of narrative.

-Ovid, Fasti I



This is also a day for "Latona’s grandson, revered Aesculapius, by whose mild herbal remedies too briefly are the Fates beguiled..." (Martial 9.17)

In fide,

Annus Novus Incipimus

PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:11 am
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Salvete, Sodales, atque Salve, Marii -

Gratias tibi ago, Marii, iucundissimis pro litteris dandis!

Sodales - 2762 ab Urbe condita nobis adest!


Thanks, Marius, for the oh-so-pleasing words!

Sodales, 2762 AUC is upon us!


Valete omnes!

Fasti: Weekend of 3-4 Ian 2009

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:10 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani!

The Fasti for Saturday, 3 Ianuary:


III Non Ian [C]


* Pax, goddess of Peace. Peace, O come to us, holding corn with its tassels, and pour from the breast of your robe a harvest of fruit! (Tibullus I.10.67-68)
* Birth of M. Tullius Cicero, 106 BCE.



And for Sunday, 4 Ianuary:


Pridie Nonas Ianuarias [C]
(Already!)

* Compitalia, on an unfixed date, set by the praetor to honor the Lares Compitales, the guardians of the crossroads.


(Nova Roma will be observing the Compitalia on 18 Ian [a.d. XV Kal. Feb.] this year.)

In fide,

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:17 pm
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
For those learning, as I always am, it's useful to note that:

    After every Kalends, Nones, Ides, the following day will be "Ater".

Valete.

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:39 am
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Salvete, Quirites -

Fasti for the coming January 5th and 6th of 2762 AUC:

For 1-05-09:


Nonis Ianuariae, F
[F] Fastus (comitia: no; courts: yes)

- The NONES.
- The Rex Sacrorum announces the month’s festivals from the Arx.
- Victoria at the shrine of Vico Poto.


For 1-06-09:

Ante d. VIII Idus Ianuarias, F
[F] Fastus (comitia: no; courts: yes)

- Dies Ater: a 'Black', or Unlucky, Day.
    *Try to avoid making journeys, starting new projects, or doing anything risky.
    *Certain gods, including Iuppiter and Ianus, may not be named.
    *These days are ill-omened to begin any new project, and any new project would necessarily begin by performing a rite calling for the assistance of the gods. Such religious rites, beginning something new, are not to be performed.
    *New fire should not be struck.
    NOTA BENE: Normal work would still be performed on dies atri, and as part of performing any work one performs rites for the patron deities, geni locii, and other appropriate deities. Likewise, the daily routine is also performed before the lararium.
- Nocturnal rite of Kore.
- "Gods of the endless night, whose powers grow stronger with the approach of death, I pray, come to me, and gently admit a life spent in ardor among the Manes." (Silius Italicus, Punica VIII.140-42)


Valete.

Court Date

PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:16 am
by Aldus Marius
The Fasti for Monday, 5 Ian 09:
>
> Nonis Ianuariae, F
> [F] Fastus (comitia: no; courts: yes)
> - The NONES.
> - The Rex Sacrorum announces the month’s festivals from the Arx.
> - Victoria at the shrine of Vico Poto.


A good thing that the Nones is a day for the courts; I've got a court date.

They took my cub.

They took my cub.

...in October, when she was just a month old. "Neglect", they said, and "failure to thrive." Soror behaving like a woman half her age with not a care in the world...let alone another whole human being to consider. Me, dancing with Darla when they came. Three social workers and two armed sherriff's deputies...they knew who they were dealing with. "Put her back in the crib." And they rolled her out of there. Me, choking down the pain all these months, metabolising it into a good Legionary's disciplined fury. The little one in foster care ever since.

Tomorrow it will be determined whether my sister will regain her parental rights, and if so, when and under what conditions. I have no idea what's going to happen. I only hope that I will still be part of the cub's life when things have settled.

Prayers of all traditions are most welcome.

In fide,

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:20 am
by Tiberius Dionysius Draco
Salve Mari,

That's a dreadful thing to hear...

I hope everything works out in the end. My thoughts are with you.

Vale,

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:28 am
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Marii - Was the court-date today, then, on the Nones, or literally for tomorrow, ante diem VIII Idus Ian. ?

A Day for Courts

PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:12 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici magistri...

It was today, the Nones, at 1315 (1:15pm) local. And we're not done yet; the trial continues on the 21st.

A miserable business, all of it. My leave-of-absence hasn't been relaxing at all. Might as well get back to work on the Web site; as many times before, it may be the only thing keeping me sane.

Are there vomitoria for the sick-at-heart?

Re: Fasti

PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:12 pm
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Claudius Iohannes Sodalibus Sociisque Omnibus sal. d.

Ecce, the Fasti for Jan. 7 and 8, 2009 - aka AUC 2762.


Ante d. VII Idus Ian. C
[C] Comitialis: Comitia yes; Courts yes.
E calendario Societatis:

- Feriale Cumanum [a sacrificial calendar from Cumae, a Greek city in the SW of Italy, which denotes numerous sacrifices to the numen of Augustus -V.Claud.Ioh.]: Anniversary of Augustus assuming the imperium, 43 BCE.

Ante d. VI Idus Ian. C
[C] Comitialis: Comitia yes; Courts yes.
E calendario Societatis:

- Iustitia, goddess of Justice.
- Dedication of the Ara Justitiae Augustae, 13 CE.

Ut Hiemps bona sit vobis!

Re: A Day for Courts

PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:21 pm
by Valerius Claudius Iohanes
Ave, Marii -

Vomitoria? Well, fits of weeping, or of rage, or having a damned good drunk are the major 'expressions' of being sick-at-heart that I know of. But none of them are terribly effective. :(

How is your mom doing with all this? I expect she's just as upset as you.

Aldus Marius wrote:Salvete, amici magistri...

It was today, the Nones, at 1315 (1:15pm) local. And we're not done yet; the trial continues on the 21st.

A miserable business, all of it. My leave-of-absence hasn't been relaxing at all. Might as well get back to work on the Web site; as many times before, it may be the only thing keeping me sane.

Are there vomitoria for the sick-at-heart?

Re: Court doings

PostPosted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:36 am
by Aldus Marius
Salve, amicissime,

> How is your mom doing with all this? I expect she's just as upset as you.


Worse, now. She's a witness, so was made to sit outside the courtroom all day while waiting to be called. I, otoh, sat through the whole thing...and was then sworn to silence on what I'd heard, especially to my mother. Two weeks of having to hide things from her. Tee-bloody-riffic.

In fide,

Fasti: Friday, 9 Ian 2009

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:22 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, Romani viatores!

The Fasti for Friday, 9 Ianuarius:


ante diem V Idus Ianuarias [NP]
AGONALIA


From the SVR calendar:


* Agonalia: The Rex Sacrorum offers a ram to Ianus in the Regia.
* Blessing of the threshold of the house.
* Priapus: May leafy shade shelter you, Priapus, and neither the hot sun nor snowy storms bring you harm. (Tibullus I.4.1)


In fide,

Fasti: Saturday, 10 Ian 2009

PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:07 am
by Aldus Marius
Salvete, amici Romani!

The Fasti for Saturday, 10 Ianuarius:


ante diem IV Idus Ianuarias [EN]
Notes:
Dies Endotercisus is Nefas in the morning; Fas in the afternoon; and Nefas again in the evening. (The SVR calendar, however, lists this as a dies Comitialis.)

All things prosperous come to those who follow the Gods, misfortune to those who scorn Them. (Livy V 51.5)


In fide,