Nova Roma

ON THIS DAY 220 YEARS AGO | Formal Dissolution of the Roman Empire

On the morning of 6 August 1806, the Imperial herald of the Holy Roman Empire rode from the Hofburg to the Church of the Nine Choirs of Angels in Vienna, where he delivered the Roman emperor Francis II's official proclamation from a balcony overlooking the large square. Francis II's abdicated from the title of Roman emperor and simultaneously dissolved the empire, due to the growing pressure by Napoleon's France.

Written copies of the proclamation were dispatched to the diplomats of the Habsburg monarchy alongside a note which informed former princes of the empire that Austria would compensate those who had been paid from the Imperial Treasury of the Holy Roman Empire. Printed versions of the proclamations were affixed to the official noticeboards throughout the territory of the dissolved empire: the picture of this post shows a copy of the public notice.

The Holy Roman Empire, an institution which had lasted for just over a thousand years, did not pass unnoticed or unlamented. The dissolution of the empire sent shockwaves through the realms of the empire, with most of the reactions being rage, grief or shame. Even the signatories of the Confederation of the Rhine were outraged. From a legal standpoint, Francis II's abdication was controversial. Contemporary legal commentators agreed that the abdication itself was perfectly legal but that the emperor did not have the authority to dissolve the empire. As such, several of the empire's vassals refused to recognize that the empire had ended. As late as October 1806, farmers in Thuringia refused to accept the end of the empire, believing its dissolution to be a plot by the local authorities. For many of the people within the former empire, its collapse made them uncertain and fearful of their future, and the future of German member-states of the empire - as at this time, only the German territories of the Holy Roman Empire remained within its boundaries. Contemporary reports from Vienna describe the dissolution of the empire as "incomprehensible" and the general public's reaction as one of horror.

Until the founding of Nova Roma in 1998, there has been no community to resume the heritage of Roman name and identity. Now, after 220 years, we, the worldwide fellowship of admirers and practitioners of Roman culture and heritage, join together in one big peaceful family of educators, reenactors, reconstructors, revivalists and simple fans of Rome to celebrate this legacy together. May the name of Rome never cease to shine!

"VALE SAM NEILL" | Roman greetings pop up everywhere as the world says final goodbye to beloved New Zealand actor, starring in many Australian productions. But why the so many posts with Roman greetings to the Jurassic Park star actor?

"Vale" in Latin simply means "goodbye" (literally "be well, be strong and healthy!). However, it is an Australian tradition to use "Vale" as an alternative to the "RIP" (Requiescat In Pace or Rest In Peace) final farewell used by the mourners. In Australia, if you say "vale", only in very formal context, it is the equivalent of "RIP". Whenever our fellow Nova Romans in Australia hear after a conversation the usual "vale, amice", "goodbye, my friend", it always sounds to our poor southern fellow citizens as if they are headed to their own funeral!

However, Sam Neill, who became world famous primarily as Dr Grant in Jurassic Park, also played the Roman character of Josephus Flavius in The Dovekeapers (miniseries, 2015), and our tribute to this great actor and great man are the attached pictures, Sam Neil as Josephus Flavius, Roman historian, wearing the toga as the sign of his Roman citizenship. Accidentally, he also played the mythological Merlin of Britain, in the Merlin TV series, situated in the late Roman Britannia, after the Roman legions left the island. So he indeed has "Roman connections", the "vale" is a very proper Roman goodbye from this exceptional actor.

VALE, SAM NEILL!

IMPORTANT!!! | MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT UNTIL 30 JUNE

Fellow citizens, the deadline to pay the annual citizen tax, i.e. membership fee/donation, is June 30. The fee is very low, 15 USD. Those who are members in our legions (partner groups of NR) pay a discount tax of 9 USD only. Besides, there are various higher payment categories for perks and honors (treasury tribune equestrian tax, and eques equo privato equestrian tax).

You can donate at this PayPal address:

[email protected]

This PayPal account is managed by quaestor Popillia Laenas (Dr. Dorottya Virág Mák, resident of Hungary, her name will show up at payment).

WHO MUST PAY?

This donation is obligatory for all magistrates, other officials, priests and senators, and for all equestrians and treasury tribunes. Failing to make your donation will result in losing your office or title (after a grace period lasting until 1 November, if you are paying in the grace period, you have to send minimum 18 USD, the 9 or 15 USD lower categories don't exist after 30 June).

ALL DETAILS ARE HERE, READ THE PAGE:
http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Nova_Roma_Taxes

This page informs you about how to become an equestrian by donation (eques equo privato, a Roman "money aristocrat", entitled to the purple strap on the tunic and other insignia). If you are a reenactor or Latinist, a reduced fee is offered, please read about this on the page:

http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Nova_Roma_Taxes

(The attached picture is digital artwork, based on real Roman reliefs but it isn't original.)

A promotion ceremony involving a Greek Army officer has attracted widespread attention after he took his oath according to a reconstructed version of the ancient Hellenic religion. Supporters described it as the first known oath-taking ceremony of a Greek military officer under the ancestral faith in more than 2,170 years.

The event was welcomed by those who see it as a symbolic revival of Greece’s pre-Christian religious heritage and a recognition of traditions that shaped the ancient Greek world. Participants invoked the Olympian gods through a ceremonial text inspired by ancient practices, marking a rare public display of modern Hellenic religious worship.

At the same time, the ceremony generated considerable debate. Critics argue that modern attempts to revive the ancient Greek religion are historically problematic because there was never a single, unified form of worship across the Greek world. Religious practices varied significantly between cities, regions, and historical periods, making any modern reconstruction necessarily selective and interpretive.

Others contend that contemporary Hellenic revival movements often contain elements influenced by modern esotericism, occultism, astrology, and later philosophical currents, rather than reflecting ancient religious practices exactly as they existed in antiquity. Supporters respond that complete historical accuracy is impossible and that reconstruction is the only practical way to preserve and honor ancient traditions in the modern era.

The ceremony has reignited discussion about the relationship between modern Greece and its ancient past, raising questions about cultural identity, historical continuity, and the role that ancient traditions should play in contemporary public life.

LUDI FLORALES | Aedilician Opening at the Ancient Festival "Nike - The Game and the Victory" in our Provincia Thracia

Part of the series of Floralia celebrations at various Roman history festivals across the globe, our aedilis curulis, C. Aemilius Iohannes Serdicensis (Jean Baptiste) and quaestor A. Vitellius Celsus, who is also the legatus pro praetore of NR Thracia, accompanied by the decemvir stlitibus iudicandis K. Quirinius Dasius, proquaestor of NR Dacia, and the praefectus of NR Regio Moesia, M. Servilius Gemellus Marsius, offered the main aedilician opening sacrifice of the Ludi Florales of Nova Roma on 9 May, in Niopolis Ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria), at the Ancient Festival "Nike - The Game and the Victory", organized by A. Vitellius Celsus (Vladimir Popov).

The programs, besides the Flora-ritual, included gladiatorial games, battle, Roman dance and many other things.

LUDI FLORALES EVENTS OF NOVA ROMA IN OTHER PLACES:

The larger central celebration of Floralia was personally presided over by the consul of Nova Roma, M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis in Aquincum, NR Pannonia (Budapest, Hungary).

The aedilis plebis Q. Cornelius Rufus also made an opening sacrifice at his home altar in NR Britannia.

The third Floralia event of Nova Roma was held in Azaum, NR Pannonia on 16 May, and now, today, the 4th Floralia celebration is held at the Emerita Ludica festival by censor C. Petronius and quaestor Q. Sulpicius in NR Hispania.

What a glorious series of Nova Roma events!