Nova Roma

For the city of Nova Roma, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, see Constantinople and New Rome.

For other uses, see Nova Roma (disambiguation).

Nova Roma (Latin for 'New Rome') is an international^[1][2] Roman cultural revivalist and reconstructionist organization created in 1998, later incorporated in Maine (USA) as a non-profit organization with an educational and spiritual mission.^[3] Nova Roma is dedicated to promote "the restoration of classical Roman religion, culture, and virtues" and "shared Roman ideals".^[4][5]

Nova Roma

Senatus Populusque Novus Romanus
The flag of Nova Roma, based on the colours and symbols of the Roman Republic
Formation	1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Type	Nonprofit
Official language	Latin
Website	www.novaroma.org

Notable for providing extensive resources about Roman culture, Latin, ancient Roman costuming and reenactment guidelines,^[5][6][7] Nova Roma aims to be more than a community of reenactors or history study group. Based on the reconstructed Roman ceremonies and spiritual aspects of the activities of Nova Roma, Strimska,^[8] Davy,^[9] Adler,^[10] Gallagher-Ashcraft,^[11] and Chryssides^[12] refer to it as the world's leading Roman reconstructionist community. Because it has a structure based on the ancient Roman Republic,^[13] with a senate, magistrates and laws enacted by vote of the comitia,^[14] and with its own coinage,^[15][16] and because the Nova Roma Wiki states that the group self-identifies as a "sovereign nation", some outside observers^{[4][16][17][18]} classify it as a micronation.

Revival of Roman identity and traditions

The most important goal of Nova Roma is to provide a living community for Roman reenactors, scholars and fans of ancient Rome, and to all varieties of people who self-identify as Romans in the present day modern world, and to revive those traditions through which an authentic Roman identity can be experienced and expressed.^[19] Since one of the most authentic and traditional forms of cultural self-expression for Romans was the celebration of various festivals, rites and ceremonies, Nova Roma has adopted^[10][20] the ancient Roman religion as its "state religion," while also guaranteeing the freedom of religion of its citizens. The British scholar Michael York noted that the traditional Roman way of thinking, Roman philosophy, provides the moral code for Nova Romans.^[21]

Both the domestic traditions and the so-called sacra publica are reconstructed by Nova Roma as authentically as possible,^[22][9] including the restoration^[23] of the ancient priestly collegia, like the offices of pontifex and flamen,^[24] and the honoring of the full cycle of Roman holidays throughout the year.^[25] According to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, at the time of Christmas, Nova Romans celebrate the Roman holiday Saturnalia.^{[26][27][28][29]}

In 2006, Margot Adler noted the organization's plan to restore a Magna Mater shrine in Rome.^[30]

Live events, conventions and reenactments

 

Nova Romans performing a Roman ceremony in Aquincum (Budapest), 2008.

Nova Roma holds its own local and international conventions and regularly participates with its affiliated reenactment groups^[31] in such history festivals and public events as the Festival of Ancient Heritage^[32] in Svishtov, Bulgaria, the Roman Market Day^[33][34][35] in Wells, Maine's Harbor Park, and Forum Fulvii in Italy, Ludi Savarienses Historical Carnival, the Aquincum Floralia Spring Festival^[36][37][38] in Budapest, Hungary, or the Natale di Roma (the historical festival of the birthday of Rome) in Rome, Italy,^[39] where Nova Roma celebrated its twentieth anniversary.

Cultural competitions and games

Among the cultural activities of Nova Roma, competitions and games associated with various Roman festivals have an important place. They can include a wide range of various programs from humorous online games up to serious art-competitions like the Certamen Petronianum,^[40][41] a literary contest of historical novel writing first held in 2005, where the jury was composed of notables including Colleen McCullough, author of many Roman-themed best-selling novels, and T. P. Wiseman, university professor of Roman history and former vice-president of the British Academy, or the second edition of the same competition, where the jury was Jo Walton, World Fantasy Award-winning novelist and poet.^[42] Kristoffer From was the winner of the first Certamen Petronianum.^[43]

Coinage and sponsorship of Roman cultural projects

Nova Roma has minted two coins with the denomination of sestertius, one in bronze, issued in 2000, and another in brass, dating from 2005. Each bears the letters SPQR and has a diameter of 32mm, a thickness of 1.8 mm. These sesterces are convertible into 50 US cents,^[44] if sent back to the treasury of the organization, thus they can be used in place of real currency between members of the community.

Regarding the monetary policies of Nova Roma, as not-for-profit organization its treasury is dedicated to sponsor various Roman cultural projects, including experimental archaeology initiatives, reenactment events, or building Roman temple reconstructions, altars or other reconstructed accessories or any items from the ancient Roman period.

Global chapters and subsidiaries

The international governance of Nova Roma permits^[45] the Nova Roman communities of each country to create their national subdivision of Nova Roma, called provincia, and to form their own not-for-profit or incorporated organizations, established under the respective legislation of their local country.^[46] This enables better local recognition and management, as well as provides the means for legal and insurance coverage, such as that offered by the Australasian Living History Federation (ALHF).^[47]

Historical contexts

Main article: New Rome

Revival of things Roman and their co-option for symbolic importance have a long history. Nova Roma (in Latin, literally "New Rome") in its deliberate revival of grandiose remnants of the past thus parallels and echoes other New Romes such as:

• the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire as a surviving embodiment of Roman ideals based on Constantinople (sometimes chartacterised as "New Rome" or the "Second Rome") after the decline of the Roman imperium in the West.^[48]
• the doctrine of the Third Rome as justification for imperial Muscovite and Russian ambitions from the 15th century onwards.^[49]
• Mussolini's attempted construction of a Mediterranean-based New Roman Empire (compare Imperial Italy) in the early 20th century.^[50]

See also

• Mos maiorum
• Romanitas
• Classical reenactment
• Roman polytheistic reconstructionism
• Pan-Latinism

Notes

1. Palacios, Juan José: "Corporate citizenship and social responsibility in a globalized world". Citizenship Studies 8(4):383-402. Routledge, 2004
2. Danese, Roberto/Bacianini, Andrea/Torino, Alessio: Weni, widi, wici: tra 'volumen" e byte. p. 133. Guaraldi, 2003"
3. "Interactive Corporative Services Information on Nova Roma". Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions. from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
4. Dixon, Suzanne: Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, page 64. Routledge, 2007
5. Trinkle, D. A./Merriman, S. A: The history highway: a 21st century guide to Internet resources, p. 464. M.E. Sharpe, 2006
6. Burgan, Michael: Empire of Ancient Rome, p. 122. Infobase Publishing, 2004
7. "Nova Roma: Organization Dedicated to Ancient Roman Culture". Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS), University of Oregon. 13 November 2011. from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
8. Strmiska, Michael: Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives, p. 335-336. ABC-CLIO, 2005
9. Davy, Barbara Jane: Introduction to Pagan Studies, pp. 156, 163, 233. Rowman Altamira, 2007
10. Adler, Margot: Drawing down the moon: witches, Druids, goddess-worshipers, and other pagans in America, p. 549. Penguin Books, 2006
11. Eugene V. Gallagher, W. Michael Ashcraft: Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America: Metaphysical, New Age, and neopagan movements. p. 220. Greenwood Press, 2006
12. George D. Chryssides, Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements (2011, 2nd ed.)
13. Auffarth, Chr./Bernard, J./Mohr, H.: Metzler Lexikon Religion: Gegenwart - Alltag - Medien, pp. 211-12. Metzler, 2002
14. Danese, Roberto/Bacianini, Andrea/Torino, Alessio: Weni, widi, wici: tra 'volumen" e byte. p. 134. Guaraldi, 2003"
15. "Sestertius signum". from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
16. American Numismatic Association: The Numismatist, page 19. American Numismatic Association, 2003
17. Caporaso, Giovanni: Cambiare Identitá.: É possibile, ecco le Prove, Offshore World Inc., 2006
18. Vobruba, Georg: Grenzsoziologie: die politische Strukturierung des Raumes, p. 210. VS Verlag, 2006
19. Gallagher, E. V./Willsky-Ciollo, L.: A Day in a Working Life: 300 Trades and Professions Through History, pp. 332-333. ABC-CLIO, 2015
20. McColman, Carl: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism, pages 71 and 347. Alpha Books, 2002
21. York, Michael: Pagan Ethics: Paganism as a World Religion, p. 396. Springer, 2015
22. Gallagher, E. V./Willsky-Ciollo, L.: New Religions: Emerging Faiths and Religious Cultures in the Modern World, p. 430. ABC-CLIO, 2021
23. Strmiska, Michael: Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives, p. 335. ABC-CLIO, 2005
24. ""Roman religion"". from the original on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
25. Joyce Higginbotham, River Higginbotham: ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path, p. 230. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2009
26. "The Christmas wars / December dilemma". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. from the original on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
27. "Celebrations by various faiths near year end". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. from the original on 2012-01-28. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
28. "Conflicts at Christmas time: What is the original "reason for the season"". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
29. "Annual secular and religious celebrations near Christmas time". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
30. Adler, Margot (2006) [1979]. Drawing down the moon: witches, Druids, goddess-worshippers, and other pagans in America. Penguin Books. p. 549. ISBN 978-0-14-303819-1. Retrieved 2011-12-18. [...] Nova Roma is currently raising money to restore a shrine of Magna Mater in Rome.
31. Vescia, Monique: Battle Reenactments, p. 38. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2015
32. . Council of Tourism - Svishtov. Archived from the original on 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
33. . Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2002-08-12.
34. . Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2003-09-11.
35. . Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2004-09-16.
36. "Budapesti Történeti Múzeum - Aquincumi Múzeum - FLORALIA". Kultúra az Interneten Alapítvány. from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
37. "Programajánló: Floralia – Római tavaszünnep Aquincumban". National Geographic (Hungary). 21 May 2009. from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
38. (PDF). Museum of Aquincum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
39. "Participants in the Natale di Roma procession". Gruppo Storico Romano. from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
40. "Certamen Petronianum". Nova Roma, Inc. from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
41. "Il CERTAMEN PETRONIANUM, un nuovo concorso per i latinisti". SuperEva. from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
42. "Certamen Petronianum II". Nova Roma, Inc. from the original on 2019-01-04. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
43. "Certamen Petronianum". www.novaroma.org. from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
44. Sestertius Signum, novaroma.org, accessed 13 December 2021
45. "Lex Vedia provincialis (Nova Roma) - NovaRoma". www.novaroma.org. from the original on 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
46. "Provincial websites - NovaRoma". www.novaroma.org. from the original on 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
47. "Home Page - The Australasian Living History Federation Inc - ALHF". www.alhf.org.au. from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
48. For example: Mommsen, Theodor (1999). A History of Rome Under the Emperors. Routledge Key Guides. Barbara Demandt, Alexander Demandt, Thomas E. J. Wiedemann. Routledge. p. 381. ISBN 978-0-415-20647-1. from the original on 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2011-12-16. The result of Constantinople's founding was the end of a national basis for the Empire [...] Milan and Ravenna had been unable to compete with Rome, though they were court residences, but Nova Roma could.
49. Note for example Kantorowicz, Ernst Hartwig (1957). The King's two bodies: a study in mediaeval political theology (7 ed.). Princeton University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-691-01704-4. Retrieved 2011-12-16. Thus it happened that 'Rome' migrated from incarnation to incarnation, wandering first to Constantinople and later to Moscow, the third Rome, but also to Aachen where Charlemagne built a 'Lateran' and apparently planned to establish the Roma futura. [...] Constantinople and Aachen and others claimed to be each a nova Roma[...]
50. Neville, Peter (2004). Mussolini. Historical Biographies Series. Routledge. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-415-24989-8. Retrieved 2011-12-16. Mussolini made immense efforts to portray an image of Italian greatness, and the memory of Ancient Rome was constantly traded on in the régime's propaganda. Thus the normal handshake [...] was replaced by the 'Roman Salute' and the Mediterranean became 'our sea'. [...] Some streams in Fascism demanded spiritual revival based on the concept of a 'New Rome'.

References

• American Religious Identification Survey," by The Graduate Center of the City University of New York 2007-03-06 at the Wayback Machine (pdf)
• Adler, Margot. 2006. Drawing down the Moon, Penguin Books. ISBN 0143038192
• Caporaso, Giovanni. 2006. Cambiare Identitá.: É possibile, ecco le Prove, Offshore World Inc.. ISBN 0978928342
• Danese, Roberto/Bacianini, Andrea/Torino, Alessio. 2003. Weni, widi, wici: tra 'volumen" e byte, Guaraldi. ISBN 88-8049-209-8
• Davy, Barbara Jane. 2006. Introduction to Pagan Studies, Rowman Altamira. ISBN 0-7591-0819-6
• Dennis A. Trinkle, Scott A. Merriman. M.E. Sharpe, 2002. US history highway, Volume 1. ISBN 0-7656-0907-X
• Dennis A. Trinkle, Scott A. Merriman. M.E. Sharpe, 2006. The history highway: a 21st-century guide to Internet resources. ISBN 0-7656-1631-9
• Dixon, Suzanne. 2007. Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Routledge. ISBN 0-415-33148-X
• Gallagher, E. V./Willsky-Ciollo, L. 2015. A Day in a Working Life: 300 Trades and Professions Through History, ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781610694032
• Higginbotham, J./Higginbotham, 2009. ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path, Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 1610694023
• McColman, Carl. 2002. The Complete Idiot's Guide (R) to Paganism, Alpha Books. ISBN 0-02-864266-X
• Strmiska, Michael. 2005. Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives, ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1851096084
• York, Michael. 2015. Pagan Ethics: Paganism as a World Religion, Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-18923-9

External links

• Official website