New Member: Spurius Mamilius Lucanus

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

Salvete,

I am so happy to be a member of SVR. My primary interest in ancient Rome is the Religio Romana, although I would prefer the term Roman-Style Polytheist (over Reconstructionist) to describe myself. Although I was raised in an Italian Roman-Catholic household, my readings of Greek and Roman mythology inspired me more. Even as a child, I secretly identified as a pagan. I took four years of Latin in high school, but am in serious need of re-learning. I'd also like to brush up on my Roman history, philosophy, and other aspects of ancient Roman life. About two years ago, I took a trip to Rome, including Nemi and Cerveteri (Caere). One of my maternal great grandfathers was said to be from "the mountains just outside Rome" although I later found out it was much further south in Potenza (ancient Lucania... hence my name, Lucanus!). My other great grandfather is from Siracusa, Sicily... I find the ancient Greek colonial influence in southern Italy fascinating. This past September, I also explored the city of Bath in England. It was amazing to see yet another site (The Roman Baths and the remains of the Temple of Sulis-Minerva) that I'd only read about.

Sp. Mamilius Lucanus

[Cleopatra Aelia]

Salve Spuri Mamili Lucane,

I welcome here to the SVR hoping that you will enjoy it here and will take part actively in any discussions. We do have a vast section on religio romana and quite some of us are also followers of the Ancient Gods. Also with you knowledge of Latin you will find some like-minded people. I for myself too had four years of Latin but forgot most of it. I rather concentrate on modern languages which come in handy at my job as well. Do you speak Italian because you have an Italian background?

Vale optime

[Valerius Claudius Iohanes]

Salve, Spuri Mamili Lucane -

Glad to have you here. I'm still trying to find funds for a trip to Roma ipsa - heaven only knows when I'll get there - but I'm glad you had the chance to go.

One of our founding members is Horatius Piscinus, a wonderful authority on matters Religious, now more active in NR. But he along with others left us a treasure of fact and thought and opinion, both in the formal Collegia and in individual threads in the Forum.

Bene vale!

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

Salvete,

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Cleopatra, I am not very good at learning languages, but I suspect it is "how" I learn. So, I'm considering Rosetta Stone Latin. Even with high school and trying to brush up on Latin on-and-off, I know I have to start from scratch and really write or speak it with other folks to retain anything. As far as Italian, I know some words and phrases but not fluently... it was just enough to get by in Rome, where most people I met also spoke English. Of course, Nemi was another story, but still no big problems. Maybe if I finally master Latin, then my Italian will flow better?

I do know of Horatius Piscinus. I enjoy reading all of his informative and insightful posts on the Religio Romana yahoo group, which I have been on for several years now. I agree wholeheartedly with his philosphy and it is my impression that he is an all-around great guy!

As far as affording travel to Rome, I found good deals. I went off-season just before Easter, so the airfare and lodging was not so expensive. You just have to shop around!

Again, thanks!
Lucanus

[Valerius Claudius Iohanes]

Thanks for the advice on a trip to Roma; this may be the year for me ... we'll see.

Vale.

[Aldus Marius]

* Marius becomes a Mouse and hops into Iohannes' pocket. *

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

It also depends on how many comforts or conveniences you are willing to sacrifice for the price. I settled for the most Spartan of conditions since I figured I really just needed a place to sleep and would be spending most of my time walking around the ruins, in museums, or enjoying the nightlife in Rome! If you want the contact info for the BB I stayed at in Rome... and the place in Nemi if that interests you... just send me an e-mail. I can't guarantee the same deal, but its worth the try. I settled for a small single room with a shared bathroom with no tv, etc. for the place in Rome. However, it was within walking distance to the Colisseum. Nemi was better quality and the woman who owns it actually picked me up in Rome. There was also the president of a Pagan organization there who I made contact with and he gave me a tour of the city one day and invited me to Cerveteri (Etruscan necropolis) with a small group.

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

I would love to post some photos of my trip... where can I do that here?

[Aldus Marius]

Salve, Lucane!

When you compose a message, there's a tab right under the Compose window itself that says "Upload Attachment". This works just like uploading to any other site: you get a Browse button for finding the photo(s) on your computer, an Upload button for putting them on our server, all that 'Net-dot-Goodness. If the Board doesn't let you upload for some reason, PM me so I can schedule its next spanking! >({|:-)

Do please reduce the images to 640x480, or (at very most) 800x600. There are still people on dialup out there, including your humble Webmaster.

In amicitia et fide,

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

OK, let me test one...

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

please let me know if the size is ok

[Aldus Marius]

Perfection!!

*climbs back into his pen*

*shuts the gate softly behind him*

*gazes at Forum pic wistfully with big, brown homeless-puppy-dog eyes* >({(:-)

[Valerius Claudius Iohanes]

Very nice shot. If you have any more to post, you have an audience, Lucane.

[Spurius Mamilius Lucanus]

Another...

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back in Rome...

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