06/04/2025
LUDI MEGALENSES NOVAE ROMAE | Dedication of a new Vicus
To mark the celebrations of the Ludi Megalenses and in honor and dedication to Magna Mater, local citizens in Provincia Australia came together to found the first formal vicus forum in the province.
In attendance was the governor, who marked the start of the meeting and celebratory feast, of the soon to be vicani, with an opening speech. They met in a local Italian café, and feasted in celebration as they discussed Magna Mater and the history of the Ludi Megalenses.
Below is a brief extract of the presentation:
The Ludi Megalenses were public games held in ancient Rome from April 4th to April 10th in honor of the goddess Magna Mater (the "Great Mother"), also known as Cybele, whose cult was brought to Rome from Phrygia in 204 BCE during the Second Punic War. The festival celebrated the goddess’s arrival and her divine protection of the Roman state. The ludi included theatrical performances, chariot races, and public feasting, reflecting both religious devotion and civic entertainment. The cult of Magna Mater was known for its ecstatic rituals and was one of the first major foreign religions formally integrated into Roman religious life.
The governor then formally read the founding edict for the vicus. The edict, as read, is below:
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Edictum Proprætorium de Conditione Vici Kanberrae
Edict for the Creation of Vicus Kanberrae
Preamble
This edict is hereby read at a live celebration event of local Nova Roma citizens, allies and guests, by the current appointed governor of provincia Australia.
I. In my capacity as Propraetor Australiae, bestowed upon me by the Senate under senatus consultum ultimum de rectoribus provinciarum, prorogued for the current term under the Senatus consultum de prorogatione et de relatione praesidum provinciarum, with the authority granted to me under the lex Cornelia Domitia de re publica constituenda, I may proclaim those edicts necessary to engage in those tasks which advance the mission and function of Nova Roma.
II. In accordance with the Lex Fabia de oppidis et municipiis, I approve the presented constitutio (charter), version 2.1 of the Constitutio Vici Kanberrae, as certified by the Praetorian Law Revision Committee of Classicists and Latinists. This Constitutio is received from the citizens of Nova Roma in the metropolitan and greater region of the City of Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, to establish the recognised forum of 'Vicus Kanberra'.
III. We dedicate this founding of this vicus in the name the goddess Magna Mater, whom we celebrate today and during the time April 4 to April 10. With the opening of the Ludi Megalenses, in Rome by aedilis curulis L. Calpurnius Bestia, our founding of the vicus is another celebration, coinciding with the Nova Roman festival program in Diocletianopolis, a program organised by Provincia Thracia. May Magna Mater watch over Vicus Kanberra and Provincia Australia.
IV. As a fellow member of the vicus, I shall manage the election of the first inaugural magistrates under appointment as the praefectus iure dicundo. It is with adequate quorum and recognised candidates that the first election shall be conducted live after the reading of this edictum.
V. This becomes a momentous occasion in the history of our province. This vicus becomes the first of its kind in the region and now sets the benchmark for future local groups around the province, across Australia and New Zealand. I encourage all citizens from all over the region to celebrate Romanitas with their fellow Roman community wherever they reside. May the gods watch over this new vicus with great favour.
VI. This edict is effective immediately. Given under my hand this 06 April 2778 ab Urbis condita.
Datum a.d. VIII Id. Apr. ‡ P. Aurelio C. Flavio cos. ‡ MMDCCLXXVIII a.u.c.
D. Aurelius Ingeniarius
Praetor Australiae
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Proceeding the edictum reading, the election of the first magistri vici of the new vicus forum was conducted for Vicus Kanberra.
Report of the results of the election as follows:
Elected in first place with 6 votes, Marca Tuccia Merga – Is elected Magister Vici.
Elected in second place, with 5 votes, Aulus Claudius Venator – Is elected Magister Vici.
The governor passed on his heartfelt congratulations to the new magistri vici. He stated his thanks to them and all local citizens who came together to make this happen. The rest of the province now looks to Vicus Kanberra as the bench mark for forming municipalities.
