Nightside the Long Sun

This book was filled with Classical references, particularly religious ones. Here are a few:

Living Latin in Boston

   Although it isn't located in Connecticut, the Conventiculum Bostoniense is a nearby and long established locale for Latin conversation, so it seems only right to mention here that the organizers are currently accepting applications for the session this summer. Applications will continue to be open until July 11th.
   Never having attended myself, I can't give too much information about this program. Reports are generally good however, and if you have $1,685 to spend on Classical studies, this might be a good choice.

   A less expensive option for Massachusetts Latin Lovers, and overdue for a mention on this blog is the Boston Active Latin meetup group. An attendee has reported that the conversations in this group can be a bit hard to follow for the beginner, but it would still be worth attending if you live in the area, if only to see what it is like.

Ides of March Meeting Highlights (Nova Britannia Ulterior)

1: 00 p.m. I found Marcus Audens and Gnaeus Floccus by the door. They were meeting for the first time. We discussed past experience within Nova Roma. Marcus Audens offered a suggestion to send certificates of citizenship to those residents of Nova Britannia who would like them. A similar program was well received in Sodalitas Militarum. M. Audens gave me a stack of prototype certificates, mentioning they could be further elaborated as desired. Computer issues were also discussed: M. Audens described the issues of the Nova Britannia web list and the possible solutions he has considered; Cn. Floccus mentions similar difficulty with modifying the wiki page, which requires updating.

            Once we got the agenda, we began with a short presentation by M. Audens. This consisted of a description of several model siege engines he is constructing, including one that can fire a dart several yards!

            The next point on our agenda was a discussion of the Etruscans, which quickly wandered to Rome’s ability to apply ideas in innovative ways, with the development of the arch being a key example. M. Audens pointed at the evolution from fairly uneven early arches to what we know today. Cn. Floccus mentioned the dome as another derivative of the arch, and the senator described the astonishing amount of weight a small model of the Pantheon was able to bear.

            Next we began a round of trivia. Each of us took coming up with obscure (or not so obscure) facts to question the others about. The final score (by my informal count) was Audens – 3 ½, Floccus – 1 ½, Paterculus – 1. This took us to about 2:30 p.m., over which time we also ordered appetizers & drinks.

            Following this, we offered a toast to Gaius Iulius Caesar. Cn. Floccus joking added, “May he live long.”

            We attempted to play tali using modern d4s and some rules I had printed off the internet. The substitution seemed to go well, but we were hampered by uncertainty of how to handle scoring or the number of rounds we were to play. M. Audens mentioned that the neck of a turkey could be boiled to create something resembling knucklebones.

            Cn. Floccus mentioned that he is a Latin teacher and currently studying Catullus. M. Audens mentioned some reading of Vegitus, Frontinus, Vitruvius, and Julius Caesar. We had already spoken about architecture, but we did talk somewhat about neoclassical architecture, both in Coventry and Ledyard, as well as around the world.

            We discussed the potential for a Make-&-Mend meeting such as M. Audens had suggested in the past, as well as the problem of distance. Cn. Floccus accepted the challenge of organizing activity in Massachusetts and expressed some interest in Legio II Cyrenaica.

            I left in some haste at 3 p.m., leaving behind all the money I’d brought for my share of the bill, which was not entirely covered.

Zenobia: Empress of the East: A Lyrical Literary Miracle: More Sappho (2 Updates...

   Over the past few days there have been numerous comments on the internet about two new poems by Sappho made public by Dr. Dirk Obbink of Oxford University. The most complete version of the story appears here:

Zenobia: Empress of the East: A Lyrical Literary Miracle: More Sappho (2 Updates...: The Tenth Muse Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal .* So said Sappho over 2,600 years ago and time ...

All-Around Piety

   The definition of pietas on our page concerning the Roman virtues is:

"Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others. [emphasis mine]

This page with suggestions on places to donate in honor of various gods, offers some ideas for those who would like act with pietas on multiple levels.

Thanks to Drew Jacobs for providing this link on The Heroic Life.

The Throne of Zeus

   This review was originally written with Demian's Gamebook Web Page in mind, but since they already have several reviews of the book, it seemed more effective to share my thoughts here instead.
   The Throne of Zeus is surprisingly effective at putting a great deal of mythological material in a small space. Most of the transitions between myths feel natural rather forced and you can see several play out nearly in their entirety. Glaring inaccuracies in the myths themselves are few, although some of the premises are more than a little suspicious. (There were physical thrones for each of the gods on Olympus? The gods have more interest in humanity on the summer solstice than during the rest of the year?) One disappointment was that the branches from one starting myth is much shorter than from the other.
   There are a few opportunities for the reader's character to become (semi-)divine which some may view as impious.

Baring the Aegis: 'Live Like A Stoic Week' is back!

Baring the Aegis: 'Live Like A Stoic Week' is back!: I seem to have completely missed it last year, but it seems there is such a thing as a 'Live Like A Stoic' week, and it will tak...