• Rules
• Texts

• Nova Roma

CERELIA LITERARY CONTEST - RULES

Our ancestors, O judges, ordained that the sacred rites of Ceres should be performed with the very strictest religious reverence and the greatest solemnity;

M. Tullius Cicero, Pro Flacco

OVERVIEW: For the greater glory of Nova Roma, enlightening of our people, and satisfaction of Mother Ceres, the Cerealia Ludi this year is granting a great literary Contest opened to all citizens.

LANGUAGES:  The text can be presented on Latin, English, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. We strongly recommend that a English abstract follow the non-english texts.

THEME: Free! (Roman themes are always recommended, but if the daughters of Mnemosine inspire on other way, who can resist?)

STYLE: Free!

I � Prose

II � Poetry

III � Historical Essay

IV � Political Speech

V � Religious Hymn

VI � Play (Theater)

LENGTH: Free!

SUBSCRIPTIONS: The text must be sent as plain email text to Aedile L. Arminius Faustus ([email protected]) until the ides of april (15^th april). The email must have the subject: �Cerealia Literary Contest� and the following information as a header:

a) Roman Name

b) Province

c) Title

--- Text

JUDGES: The four members of the Collegium Aediles shall judge, the Honourable Curules Aediles and the Illustrious Plebeian Aediles; they will judge as the muses shall fit. Anyone desiring to be a judge can contact the Aedile L. Arminius ([email protected]) until 10^th april.

MULTIPLE PARTICIPATION: Texts running on other contest, as the fine Megalesia Epigram Contest, can run on Cerealia as well.

But when the home of Cybele they make with toil out-worn

O'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;

Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly

And raving frenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.

Gaius Valerius Catulus, Carmina

WINNERS: The winners shall be known until four days after the end of the Cerealia Ludi. As a reward, a virtual  monument will be granted on the Aediles site to the winner.

And now 'tis done: more durable than brass
My monument shall he, and raise its head
O'er royal pyramids: it shall not dread
Corroding rain or angry Boreas.

Nor the long lapse of immemorial time.
I shall not wholly die: large residue
Shall 'scape the queen of funerals. Ever new
My after fame shall grow, while pontiffs climb

With silent maids the Capitolian height.
�Born,� men will say, �where Aufidus is loud,
Where Daunus, scant of streams, beneath him bow'd
The rustic tribes, from dimness he wax'd bright,

First of his race to wed the Aeolian lay
To notes of Italy. Put glory on,
My own Melpomene, by genius won,
And crown me of thy grace with Delphic bay.

Q. Horatius Flaccus, Odes