August 3rd, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 7:51 p.m.
Participants: Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia
Marcus Quinctius Clavus
Marcus Quinctius Clavus
Aulus Iulius Paterculus
Titus Ovidius Nonus
Titus Ovidius Nonus
Marcus Livius
Maruffus
Soon after Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia and M.
Quinctius Clavus joined the call, conversation started with some
reporting of our recent contemporary activities. For instance, it was
reported that farmer's markets were going well. Quinctius mentioned
that there had been a Roman presence at Pennsic, including a Temple of
Aphrodite set up by a gladiatorial school. We also discussed the new
Odyssey movie briefly. T. Ovidius Nonus arrived in the midst of this
conversation. Quinctius reported on the appearance of the new Barnes
& Noble at Farmington, now located at the West Farms Mall.
Sibylla kindly brought us on topic with a question on herbal essences/incense in Rome. Nonus, who is a creator and seller of incenses, reported having been a vendor at a Renaissance Faire with M. Cassius Julianus on August 2nd, 2026. Nonus stated that there was not much information on Roman incenses, but that the Romans were known to use frankincense, myrrh, cedar, juniper, and rosemary. Quinctius mentioned the story about Alexander the Great being reprimanded in his younger years for wasting expensive frankincense. Nonus stated that he had picked up some ancient scents and a book on Egyptian incense in during his recent trip to Egypt.
Quinctius mentioned that he had book on ancient medicine written by modern medical doctor, which Sibylla then asked Quinctius to bring along on his next visit to her house. Sibylla asked how much information (on incense & medicine) filtered to Rome from other ancient cultures. Quinctius replied that Romans were not allowed to dissect bodies, which limited to a degree the direct medical knowledge they could obtain. Sibylla mentioned that endocrine system had not been not understood until relatively recently.
Sibylla kindly brought us on topic with a question on herbal essences/incense in Rome. Nonus, who is a creator and seller of incenses, reported having been a vendor at a Renaissance Faire with M. Cassius Julianus on August 2nd, 2026. Nonus stated that there was not much information on Roman incenses, but that the Romans were known to use frankincense, myrrh, cedar, juniper, and rosemary. Quinctius mentioned the story about Alexander the Great being reprimanded in his younger years for wasting expensive frankincense. Nonus stated that he had picked up some ancient scents and a book on Egyptian incense in during his recent trip to Egypt.
Quinctius mentioned that he had book on ancient medicine written by modern medical doctor, which Sibylla then asked Quinctius to bring along on his next visit to her house. Sibylla asked how much information (on incense & medicine) filtered to Rome from other ancient cultures. Quinctius replied that Romans were not allowed to dissect bodies, which limited to a degree the direct medical knowledge they could obtain. Sibylla mentioned that endocrine system had not been not understood until relatively recently.
Quinctius shared some facts on the Antonine plague, first that it was
not the bubonic plague. Quinctius stated that Lucius Verus had been
handling warfare, brought the disease back from Parthia and died of it,
leaving warfare in M. Aurelius's hands.
Nonus showed us an image of the first known depiction of medical instruments in a photo taken in Egypt: a temple of Sobek built by Ptolemy. Nonus said that almost all the temples which his tour had visited were built by Ptolemy or by the Ptolemaic dynasty. Quinctius mentioned an exhibit he had attended in New York on Ptolemaic syncretism.
Sibylla commented on the cultural interplay between the Greeks, Romans, & Etruscans. Quintius talked about ancient ideas of whence Etruscans came, and wondered aloud about modern DNA studies. He talked about the information which could be revealed by bio-archeology, such as analysis of teeth at Kalkriese, which revealed a childhood diet which was Mediterranean rather than Germanic. Sibylla recalled how analysis of Ötzi ("the Iceman") had revealed his diet, and Quintius mentioned that researchers had also used DNA to learn about Ötzi's appearance. Sibylla & Quinctius talked about tracing of human migration by DNA.
Quinctius said that in Battle of Teutoburg Forest, Varus was tricked. Quinctius also informed us that the conflict stemmed from a tax revolt, as Germans did not want to pay in coin, which they did not use, and that Varus was trying to run Germany as he had Syria, where society was already monetized. Quinctius also brought up the proposal by Marcus Antonius & Octavian to tax Roman women and the backlash that had faced, noting that many Roman women had jobs. Nonus said that Romans would collect taxes from Egypt based on height of "Nilometer" (a well dug to measure flood of the Nile, of which Nonus shared a picture). Quinctius said that flooding in the right levels spreads silt, while if water was too high or to low it would jeopardize crops, which was why this was a rational basis for measuring Egyptian prosperity. There was talk about how the annual flooding of the Nile no longer took place, due to the Aswan Dam, and Nonus mentioned seeing someone smoking atop the dam.
Sibylla asked whether they used to smoke anything in Rome. Nonus noted that he was not aware of any smoking paraphanelia which had been found. M. Livius Maruffus, who had joined the call around this time, said that the Romans would not have had tobacco, since it was a New World crop. Quinctius stated that the Romans would have had hemp and that the Scythians used hemp in rituals.
Nonus showed us an image of the first known depiction of medical instruments in a photo taken in Egypt: a temple of Sobek built by Ptolemy. Nonus said that almost all the temples which his tour had visited were built by Ptolemy or by the Ptolemaic dynasty. Quinctius mentioned an exhibit he had attended in New York on Ptolemaic syncretism.
Sibylla commented on the cultural interplay between the Greeks, Romans, & Etruscans. Quintius talked about ancient ideas of whence Etruscans came, and wondered aloud about modern DNA studies. He talked about the information which could be revealed by bio-archeology, such as analysis of teeth at Kalkriese, which revealed a childhood diet which was Mediterranean rather than Germanic. Sibylla recalled how analysis of Ötzi ("the Iceman") had revealed his diet, and Quintius mentioned that researchers had also used DNA to learn about Ötzi's appearance. Sibylla & Quinctius talked about tracing of human migration by DNA.
Quinctius said that in Battle of Teutoburg Forest, Varus was tricked. Quinctius also informed us that the conflict stemmed from a tax revolt, as Germans did not want to pay in coin, which they did not use, and that Varus was trying to run Germany as he had Syria, where society was already monetized. Quinctius also brought up the proposal by Marcus Antonius & Octavian to tax Roman women and the backlash that had faced, noting that many Roman women had jobs. Nonus said that Romans would collect taxes from Egypt based on height of "Nilometer" (a well dug to measure flood of the Nile, of which Nonus shared a picture). Quinctius said that flooding in the right levels spreads silt, while if water was too high or to low it would jeopardize crops, which was why this was a rational basis for measuring Egyptian prosperity. There was talk about how the annual flooding of the Nile no longer took place, due to the Aswan Dam, and Nonus mentioned seeing someone smoking atop the dam.
Sibylla asked whether they used to smoke anything in Rome. Nonus noted that he was not aware of any smoking paraphanelia which had been found. M. Livius Maruffus, who had joined the call around this time, said that the Romans would not have had tobacco, since it was a New World crop. Quinctius stated that the Romans would have had hemp and that the Scythians used hemp in rituals.
We talked a bit about the most recent Senate session before Zoom ended the call.
Four of us returned: Nonus, Quinctius, Maruffus & I (Paterculus).
Returning to the topic of Nova Roma's official actions, Quinctius talked about the legion equipment being moved to California. Quinctius was familiar with the legion in question.
On the topic of reenactor legions, Quinctius informed us that Mike Heenan had resigned as centurion of Legio III Cyrenaica and said that Quinctius should be Nova Roma's primary contact with Legio III going forward. Quinctius clarified that Andy was in charge of Legio III but that Quinctius could pass along any messages from Nova Roma. Quinctius said that Andy monitors Legio III's email and that we should reach out to both emails.
In terms of Legio III's upcoming activities, Quinctius told us that he and the rest of Legio III would be at the Special Arms & Armour Program at the Wooster Arts Museum in two weeks (Aug. 16th). They were also thinking of going to Providence Rhode Island Columbus Day Italian Festival.
Four of us returned: Nonus, Quinctius, Maruffus & I (Paterculus).
Returning to the topic of Nova Roma's official actions, Quinctius talked about the legion equipment being moved to California. Quinctius was familiar with the legion in question.
On the topic of reenactor legions, Quinctius informed us that Mike Heenan had resigned as centurion of Legio III Cyrenaica and said that Quinctius should be Nova Roma's primary contact with Legio III going forward. Quinctius clarified that Andy was in charge of Legio III but that Quinctius could pass along any messages from Nova Roma. Quinctius said that Andy monitors Legio III's email and that we should reach out to both emails.
In terms of Legio III's upcoming activities, Quinctius told us that he and the rest of Legio III would be at the Special Arms & Armour Program at the Wooster Arts Museum in two weeks (Aug. 16th). They were also thinking of going to Providence Rhode Island Columbus Day Italian Festival.
Nonus said that he was descended from Sons of
Italy in Massachusetts, who claimed a role in the establishment of
Columbus Day. Nonus & Quinctius talked a bit about the history of
Columbus Day. Quinctius spoke about a moving film he had seen, Cabrini,
about an Italian nun sent to New York by the Pope of the time, who
fought for better treatment of Italian-descended New Yorkers, suffered
from consumption (tuberculosis), and was eventually declared the first
U.S. saint.
Maruffus talked about how Romans determined who should be considered Roman citizens, stating that it was mainly a combination of word of mouth with the census. Maruffus added that Cicero did not like the census because it was not accurate. Quintius noted that the census used to determine both citizenship & Senate membership. Maruffus mentioned that Cicero had defended someone in danger of losing citizenship due to missing the census twice.
Quinctius gave the example of a soldier, Flavius, who needed affidavits to prove citizenship and that he was not a freedman. Maruffus said that families took names of existing gentes when becoming citizens. Quintius talked about the family of this Roman soldier: his mother had Greek name, but must have been a citizen. The soldier himself served as a marine.
Quinctius stated that the navy & vigiles were the only places freedmen could serve (and that they served 28 years rather than 25 years like everyone else). He clarified Imperial-era distinctions between Roman citizenship vs. Latin rights, noting that such a difference also existed during Republic, but had been based more on distance at that time. Quinctius said that a freed slave needed to be over 30 to gain citizenship when freed, while younger freedmen and freedwomen gained Iunian Latin rights instead. Quinctius went over some of the timeline of changes in citizenship rules: Claudius introduced citizenship for retiring auxiliaries, and was much freer with citizenship than Augustus, while his wife Messalina was accused of selling citizenship; in 212 A.D. Caracalla gave citizenship to everyone.
Maruffus talked about how Romans determined who should be considered Roman citizens, stating that it was mainly a combination of word of mouth with the census. Maruffus added that Cicero did not like the census because it was not accurate. Quintius noted that the census used to determine both citizenship & Senate membership. Maruffus mentioned that Cicero had defended someone in danger of losing citizenship due to missing the census twice.
Quinctius gave the example of a soldier, Flavius, who needed affidavits to prove citizenship and that he was not a freedman. Maruffus said that families took names of existing gentes when becoming citizens. Quintius talked about the family of this Roman soldier: his mother had Greek name, but must have been a citizen. The soldier himself served as a marine.
Quinctius stated that the navy & vigiles were the only places freedmen could serve (and that they served 28 years rather than 25 years like everyone else). He clarified Imperial-era distinctions between Roman citizenship vs. Latin rights, noting that such a difference also existed during Republic, but had been based more on distance at that time. Quinctius said that a freed slave needed to be over 30 to gain citizenship when freed, while younger freedmen and freedwomen gained Iunian Latin rights instead. Quinctius went over some of the timeline of changes in citizenship rules: Claudius introduced citizenship for retiring auxiliaries, and was much freer with citizenship than Augustus, while his wife Messalina was accused of selling citizenship; in 212 A.D. Caracalla gave citizenship to everyone.
Quinctius stated that Danes recruited to serve in Roman army for fixed
periods as mercenaries, that desertion was a constant problem -
especially near the border, and that Dacians had been in contact with
Greece for centuries.Maruffus mentioned that a professor had said,
incorrectly according to Maruffus, that Romans made heavy use of
Etruscan mercenaries. He also mentioned use of Goths at end of empire.
Quinctius replied that some early Roman kings were Etruscan and that the
Etruscans were closely-related people, also agreeing that late Roman
Empire admitted Goths to serve in the army. Quinctius added that Alaric
did not touch churches when he sacked Rome, whereas the Vandals did
destroy such buildings when they sacked Rome.
I mentioned the possibility that Nova Britannia could potentially merge with Mediatlantica et Nova Eboracum and America Cismissipiana.
The call ended due to Zoom's time limit. Nonus, Maruffus, & I returned. Nonus showed off Roman glassware purchased from Cassius as well as a picture with Cassius from Renaissance Faire. Nonus stated that at a future fair he intended to play the role of Emperor Nero, whom he thought was unfairly depicted. Nonus said he had a lyre, though it was a Welsh lyre, not exactly the same as would have been used in ancient times. Maruffus asked how the word "lyre" should be pronounced. There were differing opinions on the English pronunciation, although Nonus did clarify that it should sound approximately like "lira" in Greek.
Maruffus mentioned that he had ordered a toga from Arx Mercatura, along with caligae. Maruffus showed a picture of Archimedes he had in his room and avowed that he believed in Archimedes's legendary 'death ray'. We all talked a bit longer about improbable stories from antiquity before the call ended again. I also mentioned a (fictional) story I had been reading about someone who was reborn as the son of C. Iulius Caesar and introduced a surprising number of innovations from the future to the Roman Republic (https://www.royalroad.com/
I mentioned the possibility that Nova Britannia could potentially merge with Mediatlantica et Nova Eboracum and America Cismissipiana.
The call ended due to Zoom's time limit. Nonus, Maruffus, & I returned. Nonus showed off Roman glassware purchased from Cassius as well as a picture with Cassius from Renaissance Faire. Nonus stated that at a future fair he intended to play the role of Emperor Nero, whom he thought was unfairly depicted. Nonus said he had a lyre, though it was a Welsh lyre, not exactly the same as would have been used in ancient times. Maruffus asked how the word "lyre" should be pronounced. There were differing opinions on the English pronunciation, although Nonus did clarify that it should sound approximately like "lira" in Greek.
Maruffus mentioned that he had ordered a toga from Arx Mercatura, along with caligae. Maruffus showed a picture of Archimedes he had in his room and avowed that he believed in Archimedes's legendary 'death ray'. We all talked a bit longer about improbable stories from antiquity before the call ended again. I also mentioned a (fictional) story I had been reading about someone who was reborn as the son of C. Iulius Caesar and introduced a surprising number of innovations from the future to the Roman Republic (https://www.royalroad.com/
