After Action Report: MithraCon 2019

Friday, April 12th, 2019
Participants:
Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia (Hostess)
Marcus Quintius Clavus
Marcus Cassius Julianus
Mercuria Cassia
Ed
Wenna
Aulus Iulius Paterculus
   Quintius & I arrived to find Sibylla, Cassius, and Mercuria already in the room and deep in discussion.
   We left for dinner almost immediately. The Afghani restaurant where we had eaten the previous year had closed, so we ate the "Basil" restaurant (a Thai/Chinese/Japanese fusion establishment) next door instead. Cassius passed out laminated fact sheets on the interactions between Rome and China in antiquity, which we read in appreciative silence. Soon after our orders arrived, Ed and Wenna joined the group.
  There was some disscussion on general topics, MithraCons past, and what restaurant we might visit next year, but much of our attention was occupied by the food in front of us, which were in generous portions accompanied by pots of tea for the table. Reactions on the food itself varied.
  After dinner, Ed and Wenna said their farewells and the rest of us returned to the room to engage in further conversation. Sibylla shared insights gained from another year's reasearch into Mithraism. Cassius contributed more insights from his Masonic experience; Mercuria fact-checked information online, discovering some additional details, of which even Cassius had not been aware.
  Sibylla mentioned the recent reintroduction of the priesthood training by Cn. Lentulus and the possibility that Sibylla might organize an official Mithraic cult to be recognized by Nova Roma.
  Cassius caught us up with some of the progress made by Byzantium Novum over the previous year.
  Cassius also presented us with T-shirts which had been made at his copy shop, which showed a beautiful image of the Rockbirth of Mithras.

Saturday, April 13th, 2019
Additional Participants:
Alex
Adam
   The following day we enjoyed the now traditional breakfast at Patricia’s, the diner less than a block from the hotel. Mercuria was sadly not able to join us at breakfast due to headache, but later arrived at the Sterling library for a day of intense research. When the library finally closed, we exited to find a group of students practicing improv of the steps ahead of the library entrance.
   Afterwards, we split into two groups, head to the Yale Barnes & Nobles and the hotel. We re-united in an hour or two in the hotel room over a feast including stuffed grape leaves, fruit, bread, chicken, lettuce, and large quantities of cheese, followed by raspberry and apple tarts brought down from Maine. Our discussion touched on a number of topics including the modern U.S. navy, before turning to the research we had done in the library during the day. Sibylla had a long list on Mithraism which she had ordered to Sterling in advance. Cassius told us about two particular books he had recently purchased, Pictish Mithraism, which postulated a link between Pictish carved
standing stones and Mithraism and The Trail of Mithras  which examined a supposed line of Mithraea running
across the Roman Empire and the churches later built above some of them. I had read selections from books on various topics, including the infinity problem in quantum physics, the lives of Laura Ingalls
and Rose Wilder, the novels of Steven King, and Greek tragedy.
  Alex & Adam arrived partway through our discussion of library research. Conversation turned to how Alex had
come to join us: as it turned out, he had been entranced by the Mithraeum when he began working as at the Yale Art Gallery and been told by a fellow employee about the conference which visited each year. We discussed Mithraism for some time after that; in particular details of initiation which it appeared could be deduced from the
mosaic and frescos at the Felicissima Mithraeum and the "Mithraic liturgy".

Sunday, April 14th, 2018
  We returned for Patricia's for a second excellent breakfast, this time with Mercuria as part of the group. Quintius was not with us, as he had returned home the previous night. Discussion turned mainly upon life in New England and personal interests, including research into runes by both Mercuria and Sibylla.
  On our way to the art gallery, we passed an interesting used bookstore, but although the sign said "Open", it was actually closed. Someone joked that on the way back the sign would say "Closed", but the store would be open.
  We arrived at the gallery somewhat early, and hence had time to tour not only the Classical wing of the gallery but a section devoted to coins of assorted eras and another devoted to Byzantine art. Alex soon joined us at looking over the items in the Classical wing, and particularly the Dura Europe exhibit. This exhibit had been somewhat
diminished, as certain items were on loan elsewhere, but the Mithraeum was still intact. Sibylla spoke about the items before us both with Alex and with some other patrons of the gallery. After a little while, Cassius and Mercuria left, followed soon after by Alex. Quintius joined Sibylla and me shortly afterwards. We had coffee & tea together, followed by a visit to the bookstore we had passed earlier, which was indeed open and had an adequate collection of Classics-related books.

After Action Report: MithraCon 2018

Friday, April 6th, 2018
Participants:
Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia (Hostess)
Marcus Quintius Clavus
Marcus Cassius Julianus
Ed
Wenna
Aulus Iulius Paterculus
Quintius & I arrived by car. During the ride, we had a fair amount of discussion. Among other things, Quintius had mentioned recent and upcoming Roman (and Bronze Age) reenactments he was involved in including a “Heroes & Villains” day and CT State Latin Day. He had also recommended a novel, Trampling in the Land of Woe, featuring Alexander the Great & Hephaestion as major characters.
Sibylla had already checked in and set up the room, while Cassius had been delayed by snowstorm along the way down from Maine. We spoke for a little in the room before heading to dinner, and Cassius shared some amazing T-shirts & book bags produced at his copy shop. They depicted the leontecephalus, the lion-headed deity with a role in Mithraism.
Dinner was expected to be at an Indian restaurant, but, to our surprise, it had been replaced by an Afghani establishment. As we had a reservation, we decided to stay and Sibylla called in the two other attendees, Ed & Wenna, who were likewise confused when they arrived.
Much discussion took place during dinner, including of fiction in which large groups of people are sent through time. The restaurant itself had great food, and occasioned some conversation on the interaction between Afghanistan and the Classical world.
After dinner, four of us returned to the hotel, where discussion continued back in the room until around 11 p.m. Sibylla gave a talk about the seven grades of Mithraic initiation and we also touched on other subjects.
Saturday, April 7th, 2018
Additional Participants:
Elizabeth
Mockingbird
The following day we had breakfast at Patricia’s, a restaurant next to the hotel which had become a tradition. Sibylla showed some pictures of a recent trip to northern Italy, including some of historic buildings.
Next, there followed several hours of research at the Sterling library (and at the linked Bass library for part of the group). Sibylla did research for an upcoming work on runes. Cassius found texts on a number of in ancient history and religion. Quintius was researching Alexander, including biography and one analysis of a popular movie. I found a few (basic) works on the Roman military, and book on ancient influences on A Song of Ice & Fire/Game of Thrones.
After the library, Quintus & Cassius went to Yale bookstore, while Sibylla & I returned to the hotel. Shortly thereafter, the group reunited for dinner, joined by Mockingbird & Elizabeth. The was plenty of food, including dates, figs, almonds, grapes, carrots, Caesar salad, olives, feta cheese, and roast chicken. Elizabeth had even
brought homemade spelt bread. After the appetizers and entrée were complete, Cassius also produced some apple turnovers.
Discussion that evening began with more details from Sibylla on Mithraic grades. Everyone discussed their research at the library.
Mockingbird analyzed possible relation of Stonehenge to the phases of the moon. Quintius pointed out different strands in the Bible, and Cassius mentioned upcoming projects related to Etruscans & Hittites.
There were many other subjects which came up as well. Mockingbird and Elizabeth went home soon after dinner was complete, but the discussion again carried on until around 11.
Sunday, April 8th, 2018
Additional Participant: Tera Perry
Since Patricia’s was closed on Sunday for Orthodox Easter, we had breakfast downstairs in the Marriott’s own bistro. After that we packed up the room and conversed in the lobby until shortly before the Yale Art Gallery was set to open.
Tera met us at the gallery, and we toured the Classical wing of the gallery as a group. There had been a few changes since our last visit, and there were some insights into the art, such as Tera’s observation on the development of perspective over time.
In the Dura Europa exhibit, we studied the different artistic styles and modes of dress. Quintius and Tera each commented on the cultural influences visible. Sibylla talked with several groups touring the gallery about Mithraism. We took a picture of the Mithraeum & part of the group to put on the internet before heading home.

MMDCCLXXI (2018) Annual Schedule

  A 2018 schedule for the local Nova Roma group in southern New England has been finalized:
- MithraCon 2018: This well known meeting in New Haven includes research at one of Yale's libraries, a Roman potluck dinner, and a visit to the Dura Europa Mithraeum.
 The registration fee $50 if received by March 20th, and $60 afterwards.
 Friday, April 6, 2018, 7:00 PM to Sunday, April 8, 2018, 12:00 PM at the Courtyard Marriott, 30 Whalley Ave · New Haven, CT
 More information at www.mithracon.org
 - A Roman Day, to be held in Haddam, CT during the summer months
  We will set the agenda for this based on what participants choose to present. A potluck meal of Roman foods has always been part of the  agenda in the past, and we have a tentative volunteer for a
presentation on Roman coins. The date will depend on the availability  of potential attendees. Please let us know your preferences as soon as your schedule for this period is clear.
 - A Saturnalia Celebration in Haddam, CT in December
 This is similar in setup to the Roman Days event; the primary difference is that the weather prevents activities outdoors. Again, time and date will depend on potential attendees.

This list is not necessarily all-inclusive. Several other events have been discussed which may still be added if there is sufficient  interest. In particular, in-person Latin meetings are very likely to happen. If you would like to organize another event in our area, please let me know, or post an announcement to Nova Britannia's local list.

Both citizens and non-citizens are welcome. However RSVPs will be necessary for the finalized events, particularly for those in Haddam, which will take place in a private home thanks to the hospitality of Sibylla Ambrosia Fulvia. We owe it to her to be model guests, including by providing ample forewarning of who will be coming over. Sibylla is also the organizer of MithraCon, and direct contact information for her may be found on that event's website.

The annual plan above has already been forwarded to  Legio III Cyrenaica (https://www.facebook.com/LegionIIICyr), the local Roman army reenactment organization. In return, they have told us about the following events they have planned for the year:
- Their first arms & armor demo at the Worcester Art Museum on April 7, 11:30 and 2.
- Marching in the Kennebunk ME May Day parade with Cassius on May 5.
- A tentative Encampment weekend at Fort at #4 in Charlestown NH, looking at June 9 or 16.

Date Set for Next Year's MithraCon

   The 15th MithraCon, the annual convention of Mithraic enthusiasts held in New Haven, has just been scheduled for April 11-13 of next year.
   Having been to this year's convention, I recommend the event to anyone able to afford the registration fee, provided of course that they have an interest in the study of Mithraism. Even without being very familiar with this topic, I was still able to participate in the various activities and other participants were glad answer my questions about the ancient mystery cult.