_________ LUDI VICTORIAE SULLANAE________________

Ludi Victoriae Sullanae Program 27th October :

1. Munera Gladiatoria Quarters.

The registered Gladiatores for the Ludi :

      Name                 Player                Type

1. Agathyrsus -  Iulia Caesaris Cytheris Aege - Thraex.
2. Superstes  -  L. Vittelius Trarius         -  Secutor.
3. Spartacus  -  Gn. Cornelius Lentulus       - Thraex.
   Oenomaeus  -  Gn. Cornelius Lentulus       - Murmillo.
4. Marius     -  Laelia Laeta                 - Retiarius.
   Septimus   -  Laelia Laeta                 - Dimachaeus.

Results:

Combat #1: Agathyrsus vs Superstes. Superstes wins.
Spectators granted life to Agathyrsus.

Combat #2: Spartacus vs Marius. Spartacus wins.
Spectators granted life to Marius.

Combat #3: Oenomaeus vs Septimus. Septimus wins.
Spectators granted life to Oenomaeus.

Additional combat to provide even-numbered combats in
semi-finals (between the two first losers):

Combat #4: Agathyrsus vs Marius. Agathyrsus wins.
Eheu ! Spectators chose death for Marius.
 

2. Certamen Historicum # 2.

QUAESTIO N°2 – Dictator Sulla was honoured a special
cognomen, too: he was called "Felix" because of his
perpetual felicity on the battlefields. But the Greek
part of the Roman world used another (Greek) word to
address him. This Greek name of Sulla was also famous:
but what was this?

RESPONSUM N°2 - This Greek name was "Epaphroditos"
("beloved by Aphrodite), as Plutarchos writes: "And,
finally, from this felicity, he requested to receive
the surname of Felix. In writing and transacting
business with the Greeks, he styled himself
Epaphroditus, and on his trophies which are still
extant with us, the name is given Leukios Kornelios
Syllas Epaphroditos."(Plutarch, Sulla's Life; 34).
 

_________ LUDI MEGALENSES_________________________

 Ludi Megalenses Program 5th April :

1.Venationes

April 5th. Morning. The sun shines. The houses are empty. Groups and groups of people are going to the Circus Maximus.

Slaves, liberts, honourable citizens and magistrates. Senators with lictors !

Pedlars and merchants, to sell ...to buy...

New togas. Particularly, Constantinus Fuscus. Hairdos, and new clothes after the last fashion from Villa Julilla.

Wine. Rivers of wine. Falern, how the Senior Aedilis promised! Slibowitz for Flavius Fides.

New magistrates ! Equitius Marinus and Equitius Cato with a new and probably expensive lectica. Cato offers everybody the new roman calendars. Perusianus pictures of the Urbs.

Salve Pompeia and Hortensia Maior ! Finnica with her new born, and after them, Saturninus with the Thule's Academici. Lanius Paulinus who had returned from a long mission, at 1000 miles far away from home, is going to say his greatings to Finnica for her youngster…

Quintilianus with all his scribes from Officinas.

New Senators ! With a new enthusiasm. They give money to the poors.

Everyone at his place in stands.

Galerius Paulinus with the muses, Audens and Sodalitas Militaria offer, " The Pilum". I want two, say someone !

Cassius Iulianus with SPQR flag and Patricia Cassia who is wondering about the Ludi: how much would they cost to the Aedilis Sulla?!

Minervalis carefully with the donations, and Calvus who wants to upload all.

Apollonius Cordus and Fabia Livia smiles to friends. And Albucius is here. Look to Faustus ! What a green-yellow toga. Somewhere, Q. Sertorius offers a lot of links.

From Hispania came everybody. A lot from legions. Veterans, triarii and young velites. 

Gnaeus Caesar with  Caesar Cornelianus.

Serapio with Petronius speaking about Certamen and Conventus. Apulus Caesar with Dreamweawer and Octavius Germanicus with Linux. Salvete, amici ! 

Women warriors in the British legions. And a lot of olives branches. Praetorians !

Old citizens, new citizens. Assidui probationary citizens ?

Old provinces, new provinces. The last, a little concerned.

Quiet ! We have a lot before next elections. Nostalgics and modernists. But who cares ?

We are at Ludi Megalenses! Today everyone must be happy ! 

The consuls come, Apulus Caesar and Popillius Laenas. The cornicens blow. Senior Aedilis Sulla makes a sign: now the Venationes may start !"

The sand of the arena is clean.The people are waiting eagerly the
figths. The gates are open and the first fight begins. Tenax, Retiarius,
sponsored by hon. Iulius Perusianus against a ferocious and hunger tiger,
Scylla, property of hon. Equitius Cato. Tenax is faceing Scylla. With
little steps, he's looking and observing his enemy. Scylla reveals his
sharpened fangs and is looking after a good and flashing attack. Boths
are attacking with hardness. Tenax tries to shirk, but he hasn't any
chance. Scylla is over Tenax. And Tenax is trying to escape but he can't.
O ! Close your eyes. What a short fight ! And what a tragic final for
Tenax ! Nobody's understanding what is realy happening, but the winner
is the tiger Scylla.

The slaves are cleaning up the arena for the second fight.The gates are
opened again and two tigers come. Alice, property of the same hon.
Iulius Perusianus and Alf, a great white tiger from Sarmatian's deep
forests, property of Iulius Crassus. An equilibrate fight between two wild
animals with the same aggressivity. In the middle of the arena in a cage,
a beautiful tigress, is the gift for the winner. When the two tigers
have seen the tigress, animal instincts are breakeing loose. The fangs
and claws are all around. Blood drops stain the sand. The fight are very
powerful and people are beting for little amounts.In advantage is
Alice, accustomised with the heat, but Alf is stronger.And yes. That is a
reality because Alice started to retrait. Perusianus call for something,
but... nobody answer. Alice is gravely wounded and he awaits near the
arena's wall. Alf is the master. He's going to the cage. The tigress is
his trophy.

A lot of comments about the two fights. All are waiting the next fight.
Raptus a wonderful leopard of Consul Apulus Caesar against a big bear
from Finland, Ursus Fenicus, property of Curius Saturninus. Both wild
animals have different soft sigles who betray the owners preoccupations
painted on their fur.Ursus Finicus stands up and begins to stir his
enormous paws. Raptus easyly slides arround, trying to calculate his
attack. The bear turns arround heavily. But don't subestimate his power.
Raptor attacks with all his force. He has the flexibility advantage. The
leopard is trying to catch the bear under the neck, but the bear  takes
the leopard into the arms. danger ! He can mortal press the tiger.Raptus
with a supreme efort is crouching and release himself from the Ursus
paws. Raptus attacks again and he takes the bear from the...I'm sorry, I
can't say. Ursus Finicus runs away. The winner is Raptus. Who's beting
well, takes the money. Who's losing acused their wife.
The next fight.
Hungry and badly put out, because in the last time he liveed in the
tabularium, the lion Charybdus comes. Owner, Equitius Cato. After him a
little concerned and confused by the audience ovations, Wargi, a wild
boar from the Carpathians forests. Owner : Iulius Crassus
Wargi is looking at the lion and doesn't understand what is happening.
For him the lion doesn't seems like a  bull-fighter. He runs around the
arena's wall for publicity. Sensitives, the onlookers reward him with
vegetables and bread and with the traditional : Go to fight !
Charybdis in the middle of arena want to call his noble stand but with
the tabularium influences he can't say REX. Just LEX. The wild boar is
stopped. He stroke the earth and is attacking the lion. Charybdis avoid
to the wild boar. What abillitys ! The wild boar attack and attack
ceaselessly. The lion only run. If we remember he isn't a good hunter. The
lioness is. At one moment, with all his agility he was hurt. And he
limps. Something unavoidable is happening. At the next attack Wargi hit
his target. The lion falls down. Quat erat demonstrandum ! Someone is
beyond the laws. Guess, who ?
An interval for the audience. Another bottles of wine. Senators
discussions. Slaves are moving to right and to left with vegetables, fruits
and bread. The time is passing. The second part is coming. In semifinals
Scylla against Alf. The both hungered. Again sharpen fangs and sharpen
paws. With the same abillities the fight is equilibrate. And now they
are tired. What can do Scylla without Charybdis ? Only Ulisses know.
Scylla trys to resign oneself. But when Equitius Cato call him  he stands
up. He has no chance but the heroes die face to face with the enemy.
Alf is the winner. Crassus very happy give a lot of money to the poors.
The second semifinals is between Raptus the Apulus Caesar's leopard and
Wargi the boar of Crassus. With courage the wild boar have the same
tactics. But the fight against the leopard isn't easy. Raptus is faster
and he can jump up to the boar. Wargi trys to attack with a decisive
strike but he only prick the air. He is ready for the final attack. But
he's
 wrong. Wargi come very fast and stops in the wall of the arena. Now
he's dizzy. Piece of cake for Raptus.Wargi is full down, and Raptus is
happy. Now he wants to eat. In stands Crassus is furious because he lost
a lot of money. The Apulus Caesar's is to final.
And now, Cives NovaRomani the great final ! The cornicens blow. Iulius
Sulla is standing up and greetings the audience. Ovation after ovation.
Alf the white tiger against Raptus the leopard. One of Iulius Crassus
and the second of Apulus Caesar.
A deep quiet is spred around the stands. The fight begins.
The two animals attack simultaneously. A tigress under the arena is
roaring frightful. All the storys in the history are the same. When Alf
want to answer to the tigress with the last forces Raptus catch him from
the thron. Alf can't escape. The raptus sharpen fangs shorten his life.
Nobody belive that, but it's true. Raptus is the winner in Ludi
Megalenses Venationes. He awaits for a long time a good fare. Or after that
maybe Apulus Caesar has a surprise for him. But this one only Apulus
Caesar knows.
 
THE WINNER :  Raptus
OWNER      :  Franciscus Apulus Caesar.
 

2.Munera Gladiatoria, Quarter matches

Today the Circus Maximus offers one of the most spectacular competitions: Munera
Gladiatoria quarters. Man vs man, sword vs sword and ability vs ability.
Only one shall be the winner. He shall be one of heroes of the Megalesia.

Let’s get it started.

Sposorized by hon.Triarius, Superstes, a Secutor, enter the arena for battle
with Tenax, a Retiarius, who are sponsorized by hon. Iulius Perusianus. All of
them are heading the crowd take a bow and then salute.
The crowd is cheering them. The gladiators wait for the beginning signal. And
this one is coming right now.
Tenax attacks first. His trident strikes hard on Superstes shield. With the
trident Tenax keeps a distance between him and Superstes. Superstes trys to get
closer and closer but it is difficult for him. He has got a short sword. His
only chance is to avoid the trident and find a way to close combat for his
strike. But there is also dangerous: the Retiarus’ net.The sound of metal shakes the ground harder and harder. The dust is rising from the arena. Broken bodies and killing looks. Secutor tryes to catch the trident between his body and his shield but hurts himself trying. The blood sharps the spirits. Somebody must be mistakeing here. And that one is Tenax. He throws the net over Superstes. This one strafes and quickly move towards Tenax hurting him badly. Tenax is shakeing and falls back. He falls down in his knees. He can’t continue. Superstes is getting closer for the final hit. He looks to the audience and waits the decision. The noble Roman people worships the bravery and Tenax showed it. His life is spared. Superstes is the winner !

The second fight of the day is between Bestius, a Retiarius of the same hon.
Triarius and Memius Rododactilos, a Thraex, trained at the renowned school of
the hon. Praetor Faustus.
The name of Faustus gladiator are famous in the Circus Maximus, just because
factually it takes time to pronounce.
The gladiators salute the spectators and are recompensed by ovations. The tactic
of a Retiarius is known since last fight. Now the spectators have their eyes
fixed on the Thraex. This one flutters his bent sword. The signal is given. The
fight begins.
At first sight it doesn't look different from the previous one. The same
doggedness and desire to show their ability. But this day is not a lucky one for
the trident bearer. He is not able to exploit the advantage of
distance. Youthfulness also weights in.
In this situation it is an handicap. Bestius self confidently hastens but
miscalculates. On the contrary Memius proves his maturity. He defends himself
progressively, and also adopts a defensive tactic. He makes it on purpose, to
attract Bestius in a trap. Bestius is tricked and attacks more and more with
fury. He doesn't realize why the fight goes on and on and he obtains nothing.
The unavoidable happens.
He thrusts the trident and throws his net. He fails his goal. Memius as quick as
lightening attacks and in a moment has his dagger at Bestius' throat . He cannot
help but wait powerless. Youth and courage have been aways rewarded. The
spectators offer him life. Winner, Memius Rododactilus, salutes the public and
exits the arena.

The third battle is about to begin. The spectators'expectances are high. The
best justification for the bets that have been made would be a demonstration
above what the public expected. Two gladiators Murmillio enter the arena.the
first one Perspicax,trained at the well known Perugiana School, the property of
hon. Iulius Persianus, and the second one,Ftatius Achilean owned by Preator
Faustus. The same type of gladiators, identic weapons and similar techniques.
This means that it is going to be an interesting confrontation and more than
that a classical one. The gladiators salute one another following the ceremonial
and prepare for the battle. After the signal is given the battle begins. The
attack is fast. They heavily hit against one another,and then retreat just to
attack again more agresively. The sand in the arena is scattered around them.
Their bodies are covered by insignificant bleeding wounds. The confrontation
seems to last more than anyone expected. None of them appears to
be in advantage, but both make the proof of their qualities.The public enjoys
the confrontation. The gladiators are showing signs of tiredness. As an
apreciation of their gladiatorial skills Iulius Sulla ends the fight.The public
decides: equality.

He who said that the women lack the courage was wrong. The fourth fight proves
that.Magister Valencianus, a Dimacherus, property of the Consul Apulus Caesar against a beautiful gladiatrix with the legendary name Achillea, a Retiara, trained in the Hibernias Mountains, and sponsored by Hortensia Maior. The audience is
calling her name.
Magister Valencianus is saluting with those two swords. Achillea raises her
trident.Start signal and the fight begin. Encouraged by the crowd, Achillea strikes
hard. If we observe her fighting position she’s trying to use the net. But
magister Valencianus is very hard to be tricked. His swords form a windmill. It
is very difficult to fight the trident without a shield. Short time after that
he’s wounded. In the crowd ovations Achillea attacks with determination. With
her trident she manages to tear one of his swords. Inspired and taking advantage
of the Valencianus inattention she throws the net. This one covers him without
giving him a chance of escape. Achillea takes the dagger for the final hit but
master Valencianus wasn’t a coward and the audience spares him.

The last fight of the day is being showed between Hipolita, Achillea’s friend
and master Webmaster, a well known gladiator from Thule. Belonging the Curius
Saturninus Domus. Again is a fight between two identical gladiators, Retiarus.
Both of them are heading to the middle of the arena and salute the audience as
the ritual says. Hipolita as well is ovationed by the public and that gives her
courage. Younger than her predecessor she is inpatient. And that in the
situation that she has in her front a more experienced enemy and well known one
for the cold blood he stands for. Master Webmaster makes few moves but all of
them are precisely. Hipolita is attacking furious and does nothing but waste her
energy. The metal sound of tridents is heard continuously. In the mean time they
are hitting each other with the nets making of them painful weapons. Master
Webmaster throws away Hipolita’s trident. This one doesn’t seem to be impressed
and attacks with the dagger. Webmaster throws his
trident that is not a weapon for close combat and attacks with the dagger too.
The nets that are wrapped around their hands are like shields. But the force has
a word to say. Hipolita’s hits are loosing there intensity and Webmaster’s are
growing stronger and attacks quicker. The result is predictable. With a strafe
perfectly executed the gladiator gets rid of Hipolita’s hit and manage to
immobilize her. He looks at the public and waits the decision. Astonished by her
bravery and skills the crowd spares Hipolita’s life.
Tommorow the semifinals !
 

3.Certamen historicum #3

QUAESTIO N°3 – So the Senate had to decide who was the
best and noblest man in the State. Every one felt that
to gain this distinction would be for him a real
victory, far outweighing any official position or
honourable distinction which either Romans could
confer. Who was judged as ’The Best And Noblest Man In
Rome’ by the Senate; so who was honoured to receive
Magna Mater arriving at Rome in 204 BC?  

RESPONSUM N°3 – The young P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica
was the best man in Rome as the Senate judged and he
received the Great Goddess when arrived at Ostia, port
city of Rome.