_________ LUDI VICTORIAE SULLANAE________________

1. Opening of the Ludi

L IUL SULLA AEDILIS CURULIS QUIRITIBUS S.P.D.

Ex Officio Aedilis Curulis.

AVETE CIVES NOVAROMANI!

I, Lucius Iulius Sulla, Senior Aedilis Curulis, hereby solemny
declare Ludi Victoriae Sullanae of year 2758 a.U.c. open!

We will start with a sacer prayer from our honourable Civis and
Senator Patricia Cassia, dedicated to Victoria and these Ludi:

With head covered I stand before the altar of Victoria, having
cleansed myself in preparation for offering:

Victoria, you who give glory in war, you who inspire the soldier to
valor, you who protect our armies and our lands, as it is right and
proper this day to make offering to you, so do I offer you this wine.

May you be honored by this offering, that our homes, our children,
our farms and our cities may be safe, that our warriors be brave and
swift, that our commanders be wise and fortunate, that their
advisors be honorable and their knowledge true. May you be honored,
that our warriors' horses and engines of battle be swift and sure in
their purpose. May you be honored, that those who reap the glories
of your victory be those who have fought not to magnify themselves,
but to do honor to their gods, their families and their nation.

Victoria, for all the glories of Roma Antiqua do I give thanks. With
this offering, noble Goddess, I ask your blessings on those of Nova
Roma who undertake military duty, whether on land or by sea. Let
their bravery and service be given due honor by those whom they
protect.

Victoria, that you may be honored we offer you these games. If any
win glory here, if any find delight in the entertainment, let them
honor you as well!

Illicet! So be it!


VALETE ET GAUDITE!
L IUL SULLA
Aedilis Curulis

 

2. Religious Celebrations.

 Lucius Iulius Sulla, in front of his Cohors, garbed in toga praetexta, cinctu Gabino, capite velato. 

                        PRAEFATIO :

POMPA :

 A pompa is ordered and the vessels are brought to the altar.

                        INVOCATIO :

 Di Testores are called to witness the ritual.

                         The Goddess is offered milk and honey. The milk is poured from the patera onto the sacred fire.

 SACRIFICATIO :  

LITATIO :

“No more, Gods on High, do I ask of You today; it is enough.”

PERLITATIO :

 Lucius Iulius Sulla awaits for a sign from the Gods in order to see if the offerings were accepted.

3.  Certamen Historicum # 1

QUAESTIO N°1 - Originally the Cornelius Sulla family
was named with another cognomen; The dictator's
great-grandfather was the first who had the "Sulla" as
second cognomen, and the grandfather was who left the
former cognomen and used only the "Sulla". What was
the original cognomen of the family?
 

RESPONSUM N°1 - The ancestors of the Cornelius Sulla family were the Cornelii
Rufini. The Dictator Sulla's great garndfather, Publius Cornelius Rufinus Sulla
was the first Rufinus having cognomen "Sulla", but his descendants omitted the
cognomen "Rufinus".
 

_________ LUDI MEGALENSES___________________________

1. Opening of the Ludi

L IUL SULLA AEDILIS CURULIS QUIRITIBUS S.P.D.

Ex Officio Aedilis Curulis.

LUDI MEGALENSES AD MAGNAM MATREM ET PROVINCIAM DACIAM CELEBRANDA

As from our Roman Calendar, I, L Iul Sulla Senior Aedilis Curulis,
declare Ludi Megalenses for the year 2758 a.U.c. open.


Will follow the program for the Ludi, and the religious celebrations
for Magna Mater.
 

<<As written in the official calendar of the Nova Roman festivals, from today to April 10th there will be held games and celebrations. These Ludi are dedicated to the Great Mother, the Magna Mater of the mount Ida. The Acus, the goddess' sacred black stone was brought from Pessinus, Phrygiain Asia Minor, on the fourth day of Aprilis (204 BC) and temporarily placed in the Aedes Victoriae. Thirteen years lates, it was eventually housed in a new Sanctuary on the Palatine hill. It was consecrated on April 10, 191 BC, and the Ludi Megalesia were institued and organized by the Aediles.

When the Magna Mater was first introduced to Rome, aristocratic families formed sodalitates in honor of the Goddess. A practice rapidly developed from these clubs in which patrician families held dinner parties [mutitationes] for each other on the first night of the Ludi. Over time these banquets became wildly elaborate and ostentatious.

Today, first day of the Megalesia, we remember the arrival of the simulacrum of the Great Mother to Rome: probably a iron cone shaped meteorite. A delegation of the most important people of Rome, was waiting on the confluece of the Tiber with the Almo rivers. It is celebrated by games and theatrical performances. The celebration lasts for seven days total.>>

 During these seven days, Cohors Aedilis Curulis Lucius Iulius Sulla will offer :

April 4th : Religious Celebration
Ludi Scaenici
Certamen Historicum 2 ( Certamen Historicum 1 - April 3th )

April 5th: Venationes
Munera Gladiatoria quarters
Certamen Historicum 3

April 6th: Ludi Circenses quarters
Munera Gladiatoria semifinals
Certamen Historicum 4

April 7th: Megalesia Cultural Award
Certamen Historicum 5

April 8th: Munera Gladiatora final
Ludi Circenses semifinals
Certamen Historicum 6

April 9th: Rhetorical Poetry Contest
Certamen Historicum 7

April 10th: Ludi Circenses final
Ludi Megalenses results
Magna Mater Bulletin

                  Religious celebration

Let the Phyrgian rites commence!

The Septemvir and the Curulis Aedilis Lucius Iulius Sulla,
followed by the chief heireia Iulia Caesaris and another
heireia clad in coloured Phyrgian robes and the chief Gallos in purple with
long hair and a golden crown, and the nymph-like Galloi process into
the temple and up to the altar of Magna Mater with song "Khaireomen,
o philoi - Rejoice o friends".
      
The offerings and sacrificial implements are carried around the
altar. Then, placing the statue of the Great Mother on a litter,
with singing and amphorae they process down the temple staircase to the
piazza, where there is a large fountain and basin, for the ritual
washing of the Mother. The water is sanctified, with smoldering wood
from the altar fire. The statue is rubbed with ask and bathed in the
lustral water. The attendants fill the jars to return to the front
of the temple where the hands of the worshippers are washed with
lustral water, which is sprinkled over the sacrificial heifer, the 'moretum'
offfering and the altar.

The chief Gallos whispers into the ear of Lucius Iulius Sulla,
so as to make no mistakes, the words so he invites the gods: "Hear,
receiving the sacrifice and rejoicing in the rite. Hail children of
Jupiter! Grant lovely song and celebrate the holy race of the
deathless gods who are for ever."

The priestess Iulia Caesaris slowly and carefully recites the hymn in
honour of the Mother of the Gods, while the galloi and the priestesses sing
and play on drums and flutes and pipes:

          "Sing to me, O Muse, clear-voiced daughter of great Zeus,
           Of the mother of all gods and all men.
           In the din of rattles and drums and in the sounds of pipes
           she delights. In the howl of wolves and the roar of
           glaring lions,in resounding mountains and wooded glens she finds her joy.
           Farewell! And you and all the godesses delight in my song."

The chief Gallos: "To you, o blessed ones, we bring a libation and a
sacrifice, accept from us this sacrifice of all kinds of fruits,
poured out abundantly."

The participants scatter a few grains of wheat into the fire and
drops of lustral water on the unblemished heifer's head.

With the knife the Aedile cuts a bit of hair from the heifer's
forehead and throws it into the fire, the heifer is tied gently to
the altar, her gentle mein shows she goes willingly. The vicimarii
stun the heifer and cut her throat, the blood spills on the altar
while the women ululate with shrill cries.

A portion of the offering is set aside for the gods by the chief
Gallos: "Come propitiously, blessed ones, and accept the delightful
offerings" and burned, the first and last for Vesta, then the Great
Mother, the rest is cooked and distributed among the people.

A portion of the offerings, moretum and wine are poured onto the
fire.

They return into the sanctuary and close with the chief Gallos: "Let
us rejoice in the company of the gods!"

Worshippers: "Let us rejoice!"

All now sing "Ie Paion" and play their drums, flutes and cymbals...


The Pompa

The cult statue with the face of black stone is placed in a carriage
drawn by lions, this is placed on a litter and the Galloi bearing
the saving image of Cybele exit the temple and process down the Palatine
through the hills of Rome.

The atmosphere is incredible. The crowds line the streets to see the
litter of the Great Mother, the preserver of Rome. First, they hear
the thumping drums, then the clashing cymbals, skirling flutes and
the procession comes! The eunuch priests of Magna Mater are dancing,
throwing their long hair about. In their long bright dresses, with
the sun glinting on their earrings and bracelets and the immense
pectoral on their breast; they appear as from another world.

Exuding a perfume, some bear the litter others dance and beg coins
for the Great Mother. The priestesses howl, dance and drum wildly on
the tympana, the sound is thunder, the hollow cymbals resound, the
horns blast with raucous song, while the hollow pipes stimulate the
mind with their Phyrgian mode.

They all sing madly hymns to the Great Mother:
      "O Mother of Dindymene, Mother of the gods, Great Idean Mother,
       Phrygian Mother
       Ancestral goddess whom we worship with ecstacy and song!
       The Carthaginians were near,
       but your holy statue was brought by the noblest men and
       women to the city on the Tiber,
       placed in the Temple of Victory, and you gave the
       children of Aeneas victory!
       The fruitful fields groaned from the heavy harvest of your
       blessing. O Great protectress of Rome!"

In a shower of rose petals, the procession which all Rome has come
to see makes its way down the steps of the temple, the clivi, the
hills,to the Circus Maximus that the games may be viewed under the very
gaze of Magna Mater.

 

                                        LUDI SCAENICI

It is a great honour for me, to present on the first day of the Feria Megalesiae, in honour of Magna Mater, the ludus scaenicus.
                                                                                                                                                                Iulius Sabinus
 

                                        ANDRIA 

                           by Publius Terentius Afer

                                                                                                                                          trans. by Henry Thomas Riley.

Characters :

SIMO : an aged Athenian.
PAMPHILUS : son of Simo.
SOSIA : freedman of Simo.
CHREMES : an aged Athenian.
CHARINUS : a young Athenian, in love with Philumena.
CRITO : a native of Andros.
DAVUS : servant of Simo.
DROMO : servant of Simo.
BYRRHIA : servant of Charinus.
GLYCERIUM : a young woman beloved by Pamphilus.
MYSIS : her maid-servant.
LESBIA : a midwife.
Scene.--Athens; before the houses of SIMO and GLYCERIUM. 

Introduction

THE SUBJECT.

  CHREMES and Phania were brothers, citizens of Athens. Chremes going to Asia, leaves his 

daughter, Pasibula, in the care of his brother Phania, who, afterward setting sail with

Pasibula for Asia, is wreckedoff the Isle of Andros. 

   Escaping with their lives, they are kindly received by a native of the island; and Phania 

soon afterward dies there.

   The Andrian changes the name of the girl to Glycerium, and brings her up, as his own child, 

with his daughter Chrysis. On his death, Chrysis and Glycerium sail for Athens to seek their 

fortune there. Chrysis being admired by several Athenian youths, Pamphilus, the son of Simo, an 

opulent citizen, chances to see Glycerium, and falls violently in love with her. She afterward 

becomes pregnant by him, on which he makes her a promise of marriage. In the mean time, Chremes,

who is now living at Athens, and is ignorant of the fate of Pasibula, agrees with Simo, the father 

of Pamphilus, to give Philumena, another daughter, in marriage to Pamphilus. While these arrangements

are being made, Chrysis dies; on which Simo accidentally discovers his son's connection with Glycerium. 

   Chremes, also coming to hear of it, declines the match, having no idea that Glycerium is really

his own daughter. 

   Simo, however, in order to test his son's feelings, resolves to pretend that the marriage-day is fixed.

   Meeting Pamphilus in the town, he desires him to go home and prepare for the wedding, which is to 

take place immediately. In his perplexity, the youth has recourseto his servant Davus, who, having heard 

of the refusal of Chremes, suspects the design of Simo. 

At this conjuncture, Charinus, a friend of Pamphilus, who is enamored of Philumena, but has been 

rejected by her father, entreats Pamphilus to put off the marriage, for at least a few days. Disclosing his

own aversion to thematch, Pamphilus readily engages to do this. In order the more effectually to break 

it off, Davus advises Pamphilus to pretend a readiness to comply with his father's wishes, supposing that 

of course Chremes will steadily persist in his refusal.

    Pamphilus does as he is advised, on which Simo again applies to Chremes, who, after some entreaty,

gives his consent.

    Just at this conjuncture, Glycerium is delivered of a son; and by the advice of Davus, it is 

laid before the door of Simo's house. Chremes happening to see it there, and ascertaining that

Pamphilus is its father,again refuses to give him his daughter. At this moment, Crito, a native of Andros,

arrives, who, being a relative of Chrysis, has come to Athens to look after her property. Through him,

Chremes discovers that Glycerium is no otherthan his long-lost daughter, Pasibula; on which he consents

to her immediate marriage with Pamphilus, who promises Charinus that he willuse his best endeavors 

to obtain for him the hand of Philumena. 

                                    ACT 1

       Enter SIMO and SOSIA, followed by SERVANTS carrying provisions.) 


SIMO  (to the Servants.) Do you carry those things away in-doors; begone. ((Beckoning to SOSIA.))

       Sosia, just step here; I want a few words with you. 

SOSIA  Consider it as said; that these things are to be taken care of, I suppose. 


SIMO   No, it's another matter.

SOSIA  What is there that my ability can effect for you more than this?

SIMO   There's no need of that ability in the matter which I have in hand; but of those qualities which 

       I have ever known as existing in you, fidelity and secrecy.

SOSIA  I await your will.

SIMO   Since I purchased you, you know that, from a little child, your servitude with me has always 

       been easy and light. From a slave I made you my freedman ; for this reason, because you served me 

       with readiness. The greatest recompense that I possessed, I bestowed upon you.

SOSIA  I bear it in mind.

SIMO   I am not changed.

SOSIA  If I have done or am doing aught that is pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad that it has been done;

       and that the same has been gratifying to you, I consider sufficient thanks. But this is a cause of

       uneasiness to me; for the recital is, as it were, a censure3 to one forgetful of a kindness. 

       But tell me, in one word, what it is that you want with me.

SIMO   I'll do so. In the first place, in this affair I give you notice: this, which you suppose to be such,

       is not a real marriage.

SOSIA  Why do you pretend it then ?

SIMO   You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; by that means you'll be acquainted with both

       my son's mode of life and my own design, and what I want you to do in this affair. For after he

       had passed youthfulness, Sosia, and had obtained free scope of living, (for before, how could 

       you know or understand his disposition, whileyouthful age,fear, and a master were checking him ?)

SOSIA  That's true.

SIMO   What all young men, for the most part, do,--devote their attention to some particular pursuit, 

       either to training horses or dogs for hunting, or to the philosophers; in not one of these did 

       he engage in particular beyond the rest, and yet in all of them in a moderate degree. I was pleased.

SOSIA  Not without reason; for this I deem in life to be especially advantageous; that one do nothing 

       to excess. 

SIMO   Such was his mode of life; readily to bear and to comply with all; with whomsoever he was in 

       company, to them to resign himself; to devote himself to their pursuits; at variance with no one;

       never preferring himself to them. Thus most readily you may acquire praise without envy,

       and gain friends.

SOSIA  He has wisely laid down his rule of life; for in these days obsequiousness begets friends;

       sincerity, dislike.

SIMO   Meanwhile, three years ago,8 a certain woman from Andros removed hither into this neighborhood,

       driven by poverty and the neglect of her relations, of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.

SOSIA  Ah! I'm afraid that this Andrian will bring some mischief.

SIMO   At first, in a modest way, she passed her life with thriftiness and in hardship, seeking a 

       livelihood with her wool and loom. But after an admirer made advances, promising her a recompense,

       first one and then another; as the disposition of all mankind has a downward tendency from industry 

       toward pleasure, she accepted their proposals, and then began to trade upon her beauty. Those who 

       then were her admirers, by chance, as it often happens, took my son thither that he might be in 

       their company. Forthwith I said to myself, " He is surely caught; he is smitten." 
       In the morning I used to observe their servant-boys coming or going away; I used to make inquiry,

      "Here, my lad, tell me, will you, who had Chrysis yesterday?" for that was the name of the Andrian 

       (touching SOSIA on the arm) .

SOSIA  I understand.

SIMO   Phaedrus, or Clinias, or Niceratus, they used to say; for these three then loved her at

       the same time. "Well now, what did Pamphilus do?" "What ? He gave his contribution; 
       he took part in the dinner." Just so on another day I made inquiry, but I discovered 

       nothing whatever that affected Pamphilus. In fact, I thought him sufficiently proved, and a 

       great pattern of continence; for he who is brought into contact with dispositions of that sort,

       and his feelings are not aroused even under such circumstances, you may be sure that he is 

       already capable of undertaking the governance of his own life. This pleased me,

       and every body with one voice began to say all kinds of flattering things, and to extol 

       my good fortune, in having a son endowed with such a disposition. What need is there of talking?

       Chremes, influenced by this report, came to meof his own accord,to offer his only daughter as 

       a wife to my son, with a very large portion. It pleased me; I betrothed him; 

       this was the day appointed for the nuptials.

SOSIA  What then stands in the way? Why should they not take place ?

SIMO   You shall hear. In about a few days after these things had been agreed on, Chrysis, this 

       neighbor, dies.

SOSIA  Bravo! You've made me happy. I was afraid for him on account of Chrysis.

SIMO   Then my son was often there, with those who had admired Chrysis; with them he took charge 

       of the funeral; sorrowful, in the mean time, he sometimes wept with them in condolence.

       Then that pleased me.Thus I reflected:

      "He by reason of this slight intimacy takes her death so much to heart; what if he himself 

       had wooed her? What will he do for me his father?" All these things I took to be the duties of

       a humane disposition and of tender feelings.

       Why do I detain you with many words? Even I myself,(116) 11 for his sake, went forth to the funeral,

       as yet suspecting no harm.

SOSIA  Ha! what is this?

SIMO   You shall know. She is brought out; we proceed. In the mean time, among the females who were 

       there present. I saw by chance one young woman of beauteous form.

SOSIA  Very likely.

SIMO   And of countenance, Sosia, so modest, so charming, that nothing could surpass. As she appeared 

       to me to lament beyond the rest, and as she was of a figure handsome and genteel beyond the other 

       women, I approached the female attendants ; I inquired who she was. They said that she was 

       the sister of Chrysis. It instantly struck my mind:

      "Ay, ay, this is it; hence those tears, hence that sympathy."

SOSIA  How I dread what you are coming to !

SIMO   The funeral procession meanwhile advances; we follow; we come to the burying-place. 
       She is placed upon the pile; they weep. In the mean time, this sister, whom I mentioned, 

       approached the flames too incautiously, with considerable danger. There, at that moment,

       Pamphilus, in his extreme alarm, discovers his well-dissembled and long-hidden passion; 

       he runs up, clasps the damsel by the waist. 

      "My Glycerium," says he, "what are you doing? Why are you going to destroy yourself?" Then she,

       so that you might easily recognize their habitual attachment, weeping, threw herself back upon

       him--how affectionately !

SOSIA  What do you say?

SIMO   I returned thence in anger, and hurt at heart: and yet there was not sufficient ground 

       for reproving him. 

       He might say; " What have I done? How have I deserved this, or offended, father ? 

       She who wished to throw herself into the flames, I prevented; I saved her." The defense 

       is a reasonable one.

SOSIA  You judge aright; for if you censure him who has assisted to preserve life, what are 

       you to do to him who causes loss or misfortune to it?

SIMO   Chremes comes to me next day, exclaiming: "Disgraceful conduct!"--that he had ascertained 

       that Pamphilus was keeping this foreign woman as a wife. I steadfastly denied that to be

       the fact. He insisted that it was the fact. In short, I then left him refusing to bestow 

       his daughter.

SOSIA  Did not you then reprove your son?

SIMO   Not even this was a cause sufficiently strong for censuring him.

SOSIA  How so? Tell me. 

SIMO  " You yourself, father," he might say, "have prescribed a limit to these proceedings. The 

       time is near, when I must live according to the humor of another; meanwhile, for the present 

       allow me to live according to my own."

SOSIA  What room for reproving him, then, is there left?

SIMO   If on account of his amour he shall decline to take a wife, that, in the first place, is an

       offense on his part to be censured. And now for this am I using my endeavors, that, by means 

       of the pretended marriage,there may be real ground for rebuking him, if lie should refuse;

       at the same time, that if that rascal Davus has any scheme, he may exhaust it now, while his

       knaveries can do no harm: who, I do believe, with hands, feet, and all his might, will do

       every thing; and more for this, no doubt, that he may do me an ill turn, than to oblige my son.

SOSIA  For what reason ?

SIMO   Do you ask? Bad heart, bad disposition. Whom, however, if I do detect ---- But what need is 

       there of talking?

       If it should turn out, as I wish, that there is no delay on the part of Pamphilus, 

       Chremes remains to be prevailed upon by me; and I do hope that all will go well. 

       Now it's your duty to pretend these nuptials cleverly,to terrify Davus; and watch my son,

       what he's about, what schemes he is planning with him.

SOSIA 'Tis enough; I'll take care; now let's go in-doors.

SIMO   You go first; I'll follow. (SOSIA goes into the house of SIMO.) 

SIMO   (to himself.) There's no doubt but that my son doesn't wish for a wife; so alarmed did I

       perceive Davus to be just now, when he heard that there was going to be a marriage. 

       But the very man is coming out of the house. 

       (Stands aside.) 

                                  ACT 2

  Enter CHARINUS and BYRRHIA. 


CHARINUS How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?

BYRRHIA  It is so.

CHARINUS How do you know? 

BYRRHIA  I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.

CHARINUS Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope 

         and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.

BYRRHIA  By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish

         that which can.

CHARINUS I wish for nothing else but Philumena.

BYRRHIA  Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind,

         than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.

CHARINUS We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my 

         situation, you would think otherwise.

BYRRHIA  Well, well, just as you like.

CHARINUS (looking down the side scene.) But I see Pamphilus; I'm determined I'll try every

         thing before I despair.

BYRRHIA (aside.) What does he mean?

CHARINUS I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love.

         I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; 

         in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.

BYRRHIA  That something is nothing.

CHARINUS Byrrhia, how seems it to you ? Shall I accost him ?

BYRRHIA  Why not ? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant 

         ready provided for him, if he marries her.

CHARINUS Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal! (Enter PAMPHILUS.) 

PAMPHILUS I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!

CHARINUS  O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

PAMPHILUS I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what's the matter now?

CHARINUS  To-day you are going to take a wife ?

PAMPHILUS So they say.

CHARINUS  Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time. 

PAMPHILUS Why so...

CHARINUS  Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA   I'll tell it.

PAMPHILUS What is it?

BYRRHIA   He's in love with your betrothed.

PAMPHILUS Assuredly he's not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have you had any more

          to do with her, Charinus?

CHARINUS  Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

PAMPHILUS How much I wish you had.

CHARINUS  Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, 

          not to marry her.

PAMPHILUS For my own part I'll use my endeavors.

CHARINUS  But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you----

PAMPHILUS Agreeable to me?

CHARINUS  Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.

PAMPHILUS Now listen, once for all: I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an 

          ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as

          an obligation on his part. 

          I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.

CHARINUS  You have restored me to life.

PAMPHILUS  Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate,

          invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you; this I shall aim at, 

          how she may not be given to me.

CHARINUS  I am satisfied.

PAMPHILUS Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.

CHARINUS (turning to BYRRHIA.) But you, i'faith, tell me nothing, 
          except those things which there is no need for knowing. (Pushing him away.) 

          Get you gone from here.

BYRRHIA  Certainly I will, and with all my heart. ((Exit.)) 

                                    ACT 3

      Enter SIMO and DAVUS from the house of the former. MYSIS and LESBIA are coming toward the 

      house of GLYCERIUM.) 


MYSIS (not seeing SIMO and DAVUS.) Upon my faith, the fact is really as you mentioned, Lesbia, 

      you can hardly find a man constant to a woman. 

SIMO  (apart to DAVUS.) This maid-servant comes from the Andrian.

DAVUS (apart to SIMO.) What do you say?

SIMO  (apart to DAVUS.) It is so.

MYSIS  But this Pamphilus----

SIMO  (apart to DAVUS.) What is she saying?

MYSIS  Has proved his constancy.

SIMO  (apart.) Hah!

DAVUS (apart to himself.) I wish that either he were deaf, or she struck dumb.

MYSIS For the child she brings forth, he has ordered to be brought up.

SIMO  (apart.) O Jupiter! What do I hear! It's all over, if indeed this woman speaks the truth.

LESBIA  You mention a good disposition on the part of the young man.

MYSIS  A most excellent one. But follow me in-doors, that you mayn't keep her waiting.

LESBIA I'll follow. (MYSIS and LESBIA go into GLYCERIUM'S house.) 

DAVUS  (aside.) What remedy now shall I find for this mishap?

SIMO  (to himself aloud.) What does this mean? Is he so infatuated ?

      The child of a foreign woman? Now I understand; ah! scarcely even at last,

      in my stupidity, have I found it out.

DAVUS (aside to himself.) What does he say he has found out?

SIMO  (aside.) This piece of knavery is being now for the first time palmed upon me by this fellow; 

      they are pretending that she's in labor, in order that they may alarm Chremes.

GLYCERIUM  (exclaiming from within her house.) Juno Lucina,1 grant me thine aid, save me,

      I do entreat thee!

SIMO  Whew! so sudden? What nonsense! As soon as she has heard that I'm standing before the door,

      she makes all haste. These incidents, Davus, have not been quite happily adapted by you as to

      the points of time.

DAVUS By me?

SIMO  Are your scholars forgetful?  

DAY.  I don't know what you are talking about.

SIMO  (aside.) If he at the real marriage of my son had taken me off my guard, what sport he would 

      have made of me. Now it is at his own risk; I'm sailing in harbor.

                                 ACT 4

      Enter CHARINUS, wringing his hands.) 


CHARINUS (to himself.) Is this to be believed or spoken of; that malice so great could

         be inborn in any one as to exult at misfortunes, and to derive advantage from the

         distresses of another! Oh, is this true? Assuredly, that is the most dangerous class 

         of men, in whom there is only a slight degree of hesitation at refusing; afterward, when 

         the time arrives for fulfilling their promises, then, obliged, of necessity they 

         discover themselves.

         They are afraid, and yet the circumstances compel them to refuse. Then, in that case,

         their very insolent remark is, "Who are you? What are you to me? Whatshould I give up to you

         what's my own? Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests." But if you inquire 

         where is honor, they are not ashamed. Here, where there is occasion, they are not afraid;

         there, where there is no occasion, they are afraid. But what am I to do? Ought I not to go to him

         and reason with him upon this outrage, and heap many an invective upon him?

         Yet some one may say, "you will avail nothing." Nothing? At least I shall have vexed him, 

         and have given vent to my own feelings. (Enter PAMPHILUS and DAVUS.) 

PAMPHILUS  Charinus, unintentionally I have ruined both myself and you, unless the Gods 

         in some way befriend us.

CHARINUS   Unintentionally, is it! An excuse has been discovered at last. You have broken your word.

PAMPHILUS  How so, pray?

CHARINUS   Do you expect to deceive me a second time by these speeches?

PAMPHILUS  What does this mean?

CHARINUS  Since I told you that I loved her, she has become quite pleasing to you. Ah wretched me!

          to have judged of your disposition from my own.

PAMPHILUS  You are mistaken.

CHARINUS   Did this pleasure appear to you not to be quite complete, unless you tantalized me in

           my passion, and lured me on by groundless hopes?--You may take her.

PAMPHILUS  I, take her? Alas! you know not in what perplexities, to my sorrow, I am involved, 

           and what vast anxieties this executioner of mine (pointing to DAVUS) has contrived 

           for me by his devices.

CHARINUS   What is it so wonderful, if he takes example from yourself? 

PAMPHILUS  You would not say that if you understood either myself or my affection.

CHARINUS   I'm quite aware (ironically) ; you have just now had a dispute with your father, 

          and he is now angry with you in consequence, and has not been able to-day to prevail

          upon you to marry her.

PAMPHILUS No, not at all,--as you are not acquainted with my sorrows, these nuptials were not

          in preparation for me; and no one was thinking at present of giving me a wife.

CHARINUS  I am aware; you have been influenced by your own inclination.

PAMPHILUS Hold; you do not yet know all.

CHARINUS  For my part, I certainly do know that you are about to marry her.

PAMPHILUS  Why are you torturing me to death? Listen to this. He (pointing to DAVUS) never ceased

          to urge me to tell my father that I would marry her; to advise and persuade me, even 

          until he compelled me.

CHARINUS  Who was this person?

PAMPHILUS  Davus.

CHARINUS  Davus! For what reason?

PAMPHILUS  I don't know; except that I must have been under the displeasure of the Gods, for me 

          to have listened to him.

CHARINUS  Is this the fact, Davus?

DAVUS     It is the fact.

CHARINUS  (starting.) Ha! What do you say, you villain? Then may the Gods send you an end 

        worthy of your deeds. Come now, tell me, if all his enemies had wished him to be plunged

        into a marriage, what advice but this could they have given?

DAVUS   I have been deceived, but I don't despair.

CHARINUS  (ironically.) I'm sure of that.

DAVUS   This way it has not succeeded; we'll try another. Unless, perhaps, you think that because

        it failed at first, this misfortune can not now possibly be changed for better luck.

PAMPHILUS  Certainly not; for I quite believe that if you set about it, you will be making 

         two marriages for me out of one.

DAVUS  I owe you this, Pamphilus, in respect of my servitude, to strive with hands and feet, 

       night and day; to submit to hazard of my life, to serve you. It is your part, if any thing

       has fallen out contrary to expectation, to forgive me. What I was contriving has not succeeded;

       still, I am using all endeavors; or, do you yourself devise something better, and dismiss me.

PAMPHILUS  I wish to; restore me to the position in which you found me.

DAVUS   I'll do so.

PAMPHILUS  But it must be done directly.

DAVUS  But the door of Glycerium's house here makes a noise. 

PAMPHILUS  That's nothing to you.

DAVUS  (assuming an attitude of meditation.) I'm in search of----

PAMPHILUS  (ironically.) Dear me, what, now at last?

DAVUS  Presently I'll give you what I've hit upon.

                                  ACT 5

         Enter CHREMES and SIMO from the house of SIMO.) 


CHREMES  Enough already, enough, Simo, has my friendship toward you been proved. 

       Sufficient hazard have I begun to cncounter; make an end of your entreaties, then.

       While I've been endeavoring to oblige you, I've almost fooled away my daughter's 

       prospects in life.

SIMO   Nay but, now in especial, Chremes, I do beg and entreat of you, that the favor, 

       commenced a short time since in words, you'll now complete by deeds.

CHREMES  See how unreasonable you are from your very earnestness; so long as you effect 

       what you desire, you neither think of limits to compliance, nor what it is you request of me;

       for if you did think, you would now forbear to trouble me with unreasonable requests.

SIMO   What unreasonable requests?

CHREMES  Do you ask? You importuned me to promise my daughter to a young man engaged in 

       another attachment, averse to the marriage state, to plunge her into discord and a marriage 

       of uncertain duration; that through her sorrow and her anguish I might reclaim your son. 

       You prevailed; while the case admitted of it I made preparations. Now it does not admit of it; 

       you must put up with it; they say that she is a citizen of this place; a child has been born;

       do cease to trouble us.

SIMO   By the Gods, I do conjure you not to bring your mind to believe those whose especial

       interest it is that he should be as degraded as possible. On account of the marriage,

       have all these things been feigned and contrived. When the reason for which they do these

       things is removed from them, they will desist.

CHREMES  You are mistaken; I myself saw the servant-maid wrangling with Davus.

SIMO   (sneeringly.) I am aware.

CHREMES  With an appearance of earnestness, when neither at the moment perceived that 

         I was present there. 

SIMO   I believe it; and Davus a short time since forewarned me that this would be the case;

       and I don't know how I forgot to tell it you to-day, as I had intended.
  

                                   ----------------------

2. Certamen Historicum # 2

’About this time (in the latest years of the 2nd Punic
War) the citizens were much exercised by a religious
question which had lately come up. Owing to the
unusual number of showers of stones which had fallen
during the year, an inspection had been made of the
Sibylline Books, and some oracular verses had been
discovered which announced that whenever a foreign foe
should carry war into Italy he could be driven out and
conquered if the Mater Idaea were brought from
Pessinus to Rome. (Livy, 29. 10)’

QUAESTIO N°2 - So the Senate has decided to bring from
Asia Minor to Rome the black stone symbolizing the
Mother Goddess. Who was the king of Asia Minor who
handed Magna Mater to Rome?  

RESPONSUM N°2 – It was King Attalus who handed the
ritual black stone of Cybele to the romans.