Nova Roma

Nova Roma. Nova Roma is an international nonprofit group founded in 1998, dedicated to the study and revival of ancient Roman culture, religion, and virtus. It functions as a modern societas with a constitutional structure modeled on the Roman Republic, engaging in educational, religious, and community-building activities for its global membership. The organization seeks to provide a living historical experience and foster a community centered on Romanitas.

History

The organization was established on March 1 (the Kalends of Martius), 1998, by Flavius Vedius Germanicus and Marcus Cassius Iulianus via an Internet mailing list. Its early growth was fueled by the expanding World Wide Web, allowing historical reenactors, Latin enthusiasts, and practitioners of Religio Romana from nations like the United States, Hungary, and Finland to connect. Key early developments included the drafting of its foundational constitution and the establishment of its initial provincial structure. The community has since participated in major events like the Millennium March and commemorations of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.

Organization and governance

The governance structure is a detailed reconstruction of the mid-Republican system. Sovereign authority resides in the Comitia and the Plebeian Council, which elect magistrates and enact leges. The executive branch includes pairs of consuls, praetors, and quaestors, while the Senate serves as an advisory body. The territory of the empire is symbolically divided into provinciae, such as Italia, Gallia, and Pannonia, each overseen by a governor. Legal matters are handled through a reconstructed Roman law code and a vigintisexviri board.

Activities and projects

Primary activities focus on education and living history. Members engage in the study and use of the Latin language, often through resources like the Vicipaedia Latina. The Roman calendar is observed, with celebrations for festivals like the Saturnalia and Lupercalia. The organization maintains an active mailing list and online presence for sodalitates (special interest groups) dedicated to topics from military history to Roman cuisine. Other projects have included archaeological site clean-ups, support for the Temple of Venus Genetrix, and the publication of the Nova Roma Handbook.

Cultural and religious aspects

Cultural life is centered on the cultivation of Romanitas, embracing the mos maiorum and classical virtues. The state religion is practiced, with reverence for the Dii Consentes like Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Flamines and the Pontifex Maximus oversee rituals, including the Lustratio and rites for the Lares. The community also studies and celebrates art, literature from authors like Virgil and Ovid, philosophy, and traditional dress such as the toga and stola.

Recognition and controversies

The group has sought formal recognition, successfully registering as a nonprofit in the state of Maine. It has engaged with other reconstructionist communities and was involved in early dialogues with the Holy See regarding interfaith issues. Internal disputes have occasionally arisen over interpretations of the constitution, the authority of the Senate, and theological directions. These have sometimes led to public debates within the broader modern pagan and reenactment spheres.

Category:Modern paganism Category:Historical reenactment organizations Category:Organizations established in 1998