Nova Roma
Encyclopedia
Nova Roma is an international Roman revivalist and reconstructionist
organization
created in 1998 (or MMDCCLI AUC by the Roman calendar
) by Joseph Bloch and William Bradford, later incorporated in Maine
as a non-profit organization
with an educational and religious mission. Nova Roma claims to promote "the restoration of classical Roman religion, culture, and virtues"
and "shared Roman ideals".
Reported to provide a good online source of information about ancient Roman costuming and reenactment guidelines, Nova Roma aims to be more than a community of reenactors or history study group. Most of the publications that mention Nova Roma focus on its Roman religious reconstructionism, but it's hard to put Nova Roma into any definite category. Because it has a structure based on the ancient Roman Republic
, with a Senate, magistrates and laws enacted by vote of Comitia, and with its own coinage, and because the Nova Roma Wiki states that the group self-identifies as a "sovereign nation", most outside observers classify it as a micronation
.
, but also maintains the freedom of religion
of its citizens. Both the domestic religious traditions and the so-called state religion (sacra publica) are represented in the practices of Nova Roma, including the restoration of the ancient priestly collegia, and the honoring of the full cycle of Roman holidays throughout the year.
, now-defunct Roman Market Day in Wells Harbor Park, Maine
and Forum Fulvii in Italy
, Ludi Savarienses Historical Carnival or the Aquincum Floralia Spring Festival in Hungary
.
, author of many Roman themed best-selling novels, and Prof. Dr. T. P. Wiseman, university professor of Roman history and former vice-president of the British Academy
.
Roman polytheistic reconstructionism
Roman polytheistic reconstructionism, also known as Cultus Deorum Romanorum , Religio Romana or Romano-Italic Tradition, is the contemporary movement which reconstructs or revives the traditional Roman and Italic religious cults.-Practices:Roman polytheistic reconstructionism is a revived...
organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
created in 1998 (or MMDCCLI AUC by the Roman calendar
Roman calendar
The Roman calendar changed its form several times in the time between the founding of Rome and the fall of the Roman Empire. This article generally discusses the early Roman or pre-Julian calendars...
) by Joseph Bloch and William Bradford, later incorporated in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
as a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
with an educational and religious mission. Nova Roma claims to promote "the restoration of classical Roman religion, culture, and virtues"
and "shared Roman ideals".
Reported to provide a good online source of information about ancient Roman costuming and reenactment guidelines, Nova Roma aims to be more than a community of reenactors or history study group. Most of the publications that mention Nova Roma focus on its Roman religious reconstructionism, but it's hard to put Nova Roma into any definite category. Because it has a structure based on the ancient Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
, with a Senate, magistrates and laws enacted by vote of Comitia, and with its own coinage, and because the Nova Roma Wiki states that the group self-identifies as a "sovereign nation", most outside observers classify it as a micronation
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
.
Roman religion
Nova Roma has adopted the ancient Roman religion as its state cultState religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
, but also maintains the freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
of its citizens. Both the domestic religious traditions and the so-called state religion (sacra publica) are represented in the practices of Nova Roma, including the restoration of the ancient priestly collegia, and the honoring of the full cycle of Roman holidays throughout the year.
Live events
Nova Roman citizens participate in such events as the Festival of Ancient Heritage in Svishtov, BulgariaBulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, now-defunct Roman Market Day in Wells Harbor Park, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and Forum Fulvii in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Ludi Savarienses Historical Carnival or the Aquincum Floralia Spring Festival in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
.
Cultural competitions and games
Among the cultural activities of Nova Roma, competitions and games honoring various Roman festivals have an important place. They can include a wide range of various programs from humorous online games up to serious art competitions like the Certamen Petronianum, a literary contest of historical novel writing, where the jury was composed of notabilities including world-famous novelist Dr. Colleen McCulloughColleen McCullough
Colleen McCullough-Robinson, , is an internationally acclaimed Australian author.-Life:McCullough was born in Wellington, in outback central west New South Wales, in 1937 to James and Laurie McCullough. Her mother was a New Zealander of part-Māori descent. During her childhood, her family moved...
, author of many Roman themed best-selling novels, and Prof. Dr. T. P. Wiseman, university professor of Roman history and former vice-president of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
.