An Ancient Worlds Newsletter



VOLUME II - ISSUE VI
Id. Feb.

Page 1 | Page 2 Editorial As the Ides of February in Roman calendar happened to be so close to the modern Valentine's day, love was selected to be theme for this sixth issue of the AncientWorlds Newspaper. This issue is a bit different from those we all are used to: the reports from our wonderful reporters in different cities are a bit unlike the conventional. You will also notice that whereas other cities concentrate in group formation and love, something completely different in taking place in Germania! Again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all reporters, writers, and contributors for their hard work for this newspaper. Together we managed to put up an informative, interesting, and even funny newspaper. The next issue of Acta Diurna will be published on or around the Ides of March - and as we have reported on love already, the obvious theme for our next paper is death. Enjoy! Maximius Flavius AncientWorlds Update LOVE OF HISTORY: HERAKLIA'S AFFAIR WITH CAESAR Here comes an interview with the divine Heraklia Aelius, on her love on history and specially that of another deity, Gaius Julius Caesar. Where did you first hear the name "Julius Caesar?" (You MUST remember this!) LOL - I saw the movie "Antony and Cleopatra" about the same time as my first Latin classes. He was just a dead guy in a toga that looked like Rex Harrison. What kind of role did Caesar play in the birth of your love for history? Did the love for Julius conflate to all of history, or the other way around? My special interest was always medieval and Renaissance England. AncientSites really refocused me on ancient Rome, especially the late Republic - and Caesar's critical in that period. Then I got involved with the Roma Redux series in 2000 and 2001 which "did" chats with Julius Caesar and even murdered him! So it was the late Republic first, but then my admiration and fascination for Caesar came from that. How did you become familiar with this historical character? I had two years of Latin in junior high school (age 12-13) and in second year, we read (OF COURSE) the "Gallic War" commentaries. I had been pretty bored until we started reading Caesar, but he was a lot more interesting; then for Christmas, my French cousins sent me three "Asterix" comic books. That did it! But for a long time, I just knew the Gallic War bits. What especially did you find interesting in Julius Caesar? There are few characters in history that are literally endlessly fascinating because the bits we know about them never quite add up or make sense. Caesar is one of them. You can read everything ever written about him or by him, and you still don't know if he was a good guy or a bad guy - but he was never a BORING guy. And he changed the western world. What compelled you - to the great fortune of us all - to compose your website on Caesar's life, as well as the group Aedes Divii Julii? Simple - the demise of AncientSites! I'd written several articles about Caesar's life for The History Vine. When AS disappeared on March 30, 2001, I went into withdrawal. I decided to turn my articles into a web site. Of course, I hardly knew how to do a table in those days so it took advice from every Roman friend I had to get it together. It went up in May! What is the future of your relationship with Julius Caesar like? *g* I've already started researching the companion site I hope to do next, doing the same thing to Augustus I did to Jules. What's another 45,000 words or so? Thank you for the interview! Maximius Flavius ROME IN LOVE Roma is Amor backwards, and this spring seems to especially fruitful and busy for us Romans! (That is just to get from the business of love to the events in Rome.) On the mainboards, New topics on Women in Antiquity and Roman Housing have been started on the Subura board. Also the discussion on Academic Centre formation has been started again. One interesting item on Rome mainpage is our new Roman History at AncientWorlds index. The idea is to gather all discussions on Roman history and link them to that page. Also, everyone can and is encouraged to post about interesting new or ongoing discussions on Roman history at AncientWorlds as "comments" to the index! Some new groups have been opened in Rome after our last issue. The newest group is Ex Libris, a general group for discussion on literature of all kinds! A new academic center is Lex Romana, which covers interesting Roman history topics such as - obviously - Roman law and its heritage, as well as Roman commerce and coinage. The site-wide Spring Festival will be celebrated in Rome in the form of Floralia, which is celebrated April 29th-May 3rd. This means decorating the whole city in flowers, sacrificing milk and honey to Flora, as well as some special events that are to be organised. Please post a comment here if you wish to join the planning or could design graphics for the festival! Mark the Floralia on your calendars: you do not want to miss all the fun! Maximius Flavius ATHENS AROUND VALENTINE'S With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we have our team for the AncientWorlds Valentine's Day Trivia Quiz this coming Sunday evening! The team members are: Ioannis Nestor, AeneasIulius Romulus, and Tanaquil Sergius. We wish them the best. I know they will do marvelously for our city! Interested in learning some modern Greek? Lessons are just beginning at the group, Scholeio Neoellinikon. If you are interested, please join! For those of you who are interested in role-playing but have never tried it, or if you are an old pro looking to brush up on some skills, join us at Quill and Parchment. A new board dedicated to role-playing has been added. Speaking of role-playing, the group Exotikos is growing every day. Three new islands are now inhabited and ready for you to explore. Sail on over and visit Chios, Lesvos, and Thera! Excellent discussions continue at Philos Sophia. Join us as we talk about why philosophy started with the Greeks. And at Ancient Scripts, we are beginning discussions on those ancient writings that still elude decipherment. There is much to do in the city of Athens! If you are new to the city, please introduce yourself on the Welcome to Ancient Worlds and the City of Athens thread. If you are in need of refreshment, feel free to drop in at the Agora Taverna. Enjoy! Louisa Agis ATHENS IN LOVE MODERN SCIENCE UPHOLDS APHRODISIAC MYTH Aphrodisiac: of, concerning, or promoting sexual love or desire. Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, aphrodisiacs are substances that are purported to arouse or increase sexual desire. Among the better known edible aphrodisiacs are caviar, frog legs, oysters and truffles. Modern science is finally getting around to validating what the ancients knew to be inherently true: Aphrodisiacs really work! Ingested aprodisiacs include food, drink, spices, herbs, and a few other things that defy categorization. Arguably, the oddest aphrodisiac on record is a mixture of the semen of virile young men mixed with hawk or eagle excrement and formed into pellets which are swallowed as needed. Chinese eunuchs who had undergone a change of heart would consume of the warm brains of newly decapitated criminals in the hope of regenerating their lost genitalia. Puts a whole new spin on "you are what you eat," doesn't it? Aphrodisiacs are even mentioned in the Bible. Mandrake, which is still in use today, is a member of the potato family. The alkaloids in this plant actually induce sleep, and in higher doses can be fatal, but the visual resemblance of its physical form to human genitalia becomes a kind of "sympathetic" magic, and the plant is believed to have an aphrodisiac effect. Musk remains popular as a modern perfume and cologne ingredient. In earlier times musk, a brown substance originating in an abdominal gland of small southeastern Asian deer was used not only to tread epilepsy, typhoid and pneumonia, but also dried, powdered and sprinkled over food as an aphrodisiac. Ok, so does work? Ingested aphrodisiacs work by altering the body's chemical and hormonal balance. These alterations cause specific changes to take place within the body and various states of desire and arousal are then obtained. In the course of discussing aphrodisiacs a fundamental distinction must be made between natural and synthetic or chemical products; this article will discuss aphrodisiacs in terms of natural products. Much of aphrodisiac folklore is rooted in common sense. As a result Herbs and spices that are commonly used for various reasons extend their benefits into areas including the human libido. Cayenne and other hot peppers, for instance, are favoured by dieters for their abilities to "heat things up" and raise the body's metabolism. They do this by increasing circulation which also benefits sexual stimulation and performance. Nutmeg from Indonesia is reputed to be man's best friend though apparently does nothing for women, and saffron stimulates the erogenous zones in both sexes but be careful because too much and you will end up laughing uncontrollably. Oysters are renowned for their aphrodisiac properties and may be one of the few things that actually work on the libido itself. Raw or cooked, they contain high levels of zinc which has been proven to increase male testosterone and female vaginal lubrication. Oysters and other seafood also also contain other nutrients that are not found in dry land foods. When our bodies are fed these otherwise lacking nutrients a general feeling of physical well-being results. Which brings us back to common sense. Good physical health is in and of itself an aphrodisiac. Maintaining optimum balances of chemicals naturally occurring in the human body is imperative to maintaining the libido. But what about non-ingested aphrodisiacs? Scents and smells were the first aphrodisiacs and for good reason. Not only do they serve as a primal indicator of fertility, scents also soothe and stimulate by triggering reactions in certain parts of the brain. These reactions can affect the libido by releasing endorphins and other hormones to relax and/or stimulate the body depending on the desired effect. But no aphrodisiac will have much of an effect without the help of the human mind. Not only does it work by believing any given substance or ritual is stimulating to the libido giving rise (no pun intended) to the many ineffective aphrodisiac concoctions, it is also the nerve center of any physical encounter. The brain reacts to sensory and culturally appropriate stimuli for various situations. When a person is exposed to sexual or romantic stimuli parallel to what that person believes to be contextually correct s/he begins to "get in the mood" for sex. And where the brain leads the rest of the body usually follows. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica "the psychophysiological reaction that a well-prepared meal can have upon the human organism. The combination of various sensuous reactions - the visual satisfaction of the sight of appetizing food, the olfactory stimulation of their pleasing smells and the tactile gratification afforded the oral mechanism by rich, savory dishes - tend to bring on a state of general euphoria conducive to sexual expression." So next time you prepare a romantic dinner for your favourite victim, remember to set the mood as well as the table. Resources: http://www.naturallove.net/moods/html http://www.sexscrolls.net/foodandsex/html http://www.health.discovery.com http://www.virilplant.com http://www.all-naturalsex.net Aphrodite Theocritos EGYPT IN THE SEASON OF LOVE In the season of love, ancient Egypt, which has lasted for millenia (that's love!) wishes to wish all members a happy Valentine's season. Egypt wishes to commend its newest group, Ancient Expressions. It is an academic group for the study of written and spoken communication in Ancient Egypt. Led by Tryphaena Hatshepsut and Hapshetsut Nebet, it contains useful data on vocabulary, heiroglyphics, linguistics, and more. Although new, the group is growing well. The Alexandria Library is quite active. There are now guidelines posted for creating references, whether by web or by book/journal. Also, there will be a Chief Librarian of the Month, starting in March, and official Resource Plaques will be awarded to outstanding web site resources for Egyptology. Come to the Library to find out the details! The Women of the Two Lands has an ongoingly active Kaffa bar, and continues discussion on the role of women in Egyptian history. As for other groups, Seven Wonders (headed by Ceres Cornelius and Edwinus Aelius) and Architectural Methods proceed to provide us with information. KMT. Now, this is roleplay. We've got several good things going on in here. This is our list of current roleplays. Ta-meri: Heredet ne Hap: Post-Cleopatra roleplay Ankh Tawy: Life in the Two Lands, 343 BCE, reign of Nakhthoreb roleplay The Golden Horus: 1280 BCE, reign of Seti I roleplay The Horizon of the Aten: 1350 BCE, reign of Akhenaten roleplay Old Kingdom: Dynasties III-VI, 2686 to 2181 BC The Chasm: Mystic Realm of KMT: fantasy Egypt The Old Kingdom is the newest of these, and we can expect great things. Most active current roleplays appear to be Ta-meri and Golden Horus. However, each and every one of these awaits your own input and character, as that is what roleplay is built upon. On the main boards, Alexandria After Dark (the bar scene), and the Trivia thread, continue to go strong. Alexandria After Dark has been hosting a "Key Contest", rather one of these things one has to witness, if but for the joviality. Watch out for the hot tub!!! Onions Hatshepsut MARRIAGE IN BABYLON In Ancient Mesopotamia there were religious practices where a priestess and or a king or priest would enact marriages between deities. The priestess would play the part of a goddess and the king or priest would become the god. They would go through the marriage ceremony and end up consummating the marriage. An example of such a marriage is that of the goddess Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love and war (Babylonian Ishtar), and her spouse Damuzi (also known as Tammuz). Inanna sang: "Last night as I, the queen, was shining bright, Last night as I, the Queen of Heaven, was shining bright, As I was shining bright and dancing, Singing praises at the coming of the night - He met me - he met me! My lord Dumuzi met me. He put his hand into my hand. He pressed his neck close against mine. My high priest is ready for the holy loins. My lord Dumuzi is ready for the holy loins. The plants and herbs in his field are ripe. O Dumuzi! Your fullness is my delight!" She called for it, she called for the bed! She called for the bed that rejoices the heart. She called for the bed that sweetens the loins. She called for the bed of kingship. She called for the bed of queenship. Inanna called for the bed: "Let the bed that rejoices the heart be prepared! Let the bed that sweetens the loins be prepared! Let the bed of kingship be prepared! Let the bed of queenship be prepared! Let the royal bed be prepared!" Inanna spread the bridal sheet across the bed. She called to the king: "The bed is ready!" She called to her bridegroom: "The bed is waiting!" (Above excerpt taken from the book, "Inanna" by Diane Wolkenstein and Samuel Noah Kramer, pages 41-42) The book does go into greater detail of what happened between Dumuzi and Inanna in the marriage bed. But, it does get explicit. The above is also a good example of a happy marriage. Marriages in ancient times were pre-arranged, but love did grow from them and often there are tales of pre-marital sex happening between a man and his intended. If they had a Valentines' Day back then, I am sure this is one they would choose to entertain :) Leah Enkidu VANDALISM AT A TAVERN AND OTHER STRANGE DOINGS AT GERMANIA Pubs often suffer at the hands of vandals, especially after a few too many ales, but the Red Boar Tavern has recently seen vandalism of another sort. Germania's most lively social centre recently suffered an attack by (actual) Vandals - one that was beaten off by its various denizens, who took time off from weapon throwing, mead quaffing, flirting and bread baking to do battle with the invaders. Exactly why these raiders chose to attack the Red Boar is a mystery, but the regulars were quick to put down their drinking horns and take up swords and spears for what turned into a desperate battle in the snow. Thanks to some brave efforts by the menfolk and some robust fighting by the formidable women of Germania, the Vandal interlopers soon found the Tavern was not the easy target they had thought. Assailed from all sides by fierce warrior women, mysterious strangers, some passing warriors, one berserker and some helpful deities, the Vandals were roundly defeated and the denizens of Germania are now preparing a sacrifice to the gods and a drunken victory feast to celebrate their success. Several new groups have also been established at Germania as well. A board for discussion of the runes has been set up, to cover all aspects of this ancient Germanic alphabet and its continuing modern usages. After much discussion, the foundations of a group for the discussion of the migrations of the Germanic tribes have also been laid. The Wanderings of the Tribes is still in its infancy, but when fully established it will allow discussion of all the tribes which took part in the "Great Migrations" and will analyse their part in the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Meanwhile, Angelcynn: The History of Anglo-Saxon England continues to be one of Germania's most popular groups, with Lucius Aelius beginning a detailed analysis of Beowulf, the great Old English epic. And Icel Scylding has begun a discussion of Arminius and the Teutoburgerwald, covering all aspects of the Cheruscian uprising of 9 AD and the Germanic victory over Varus' legions. The Valkyries of the Germania Welcoming Committee have been busy making the newcomers to Germania welcome and helping them to settle into their new home. The population of Germania is rising daily, and we have plans for more festivals, games, historical and discussions in coming weeks, so feel free to join us or simply to drop in and say "Wes thu hael!" Thiudareiks Gunthigg MEANWHILE IN MACHU PICCHU As many of you have already noticed there are two new Scribes in the city: Xolotl Huascar, who has enriched the city with a great deal of historical posts Bryce Yupanqui, our image and database wizard Good luck to the both of you! The city is proud to have a wonderful library tool on the mainpage, the Machu Picchu Library of the Americas Resource Links Database. Looking for information on a certain culture, geographical area or looking for good links? With the library tool you can easily find what you are looking for: Simply select the appropriate filter and there you are.... The Machu Picchu Homes Tour 2003 round some of the houses in the different areas of MP is ready to rock... Bryce has designed some great images and when everybody has put up the links on their homes... we can entertain the first guest. The Spring Festival 2003 will be held on the 21rst of March in the Mayan quarter. See the brochure here: Brochure There is also a Kulkulkan spectacle of the year. On this very day something special is happening. If the wheater is fine and there are no clouds we can see the shadow shaped serpent come down the stairs of the northeast staircase. Virtual Pokatok Ballgame is virtual game that takes a lot of speed of reading and writing. Read the brochure for more info and sign up on this thread: Spring Festival 2003. ChanChan Tupac AN AZTEC LEGEND In the Mexican Valley, where the capitol city is located, there are several surrounding mountains. If you go east about forty-five miles, you arrive at a little town named Amecameca. If you look east you see a big mountain, but you have to bend your head over your back to see the peaks of this mountain named Iztlacihuatl, which in native language means: Sleeping woman. The road up to the mountain starts in the town of Amecameca and ends where the snow begins about fifteen miles away. This mountain is about 13,000 feet above sea level and 5,000 feet from the terrain. The snow always covers the summit, and we can see from this place a beautiful view of the valley. Nearby is another peak, named Popocatepetl (Smoky Mountain) also with snow covering it all year long. There is a legend about these two mountains. When the Aztecs, a Mexican kingdom, were in the valley, there was a king with a pretty daughter. She was very young, she had long black hair down her back, large black eyes, and beautiful eyebrows, like two triumphal arches. She had a swan-like neck, fine hands and a beautiful body covered with a fine skin like velvet. She loved a warrior, a good-looking man. His head was covered with a beautiful tuft of feathers; his face serious and eyes were hard like an eagle. His neck was strong like a bull. He was muscular with a broad back, and was a courageous man. When the king discovered his daughter's love, he sent the warrior to fight a far-off enemy tribe. The princess was sad and sick with love over his absence. She died just when her lover came back from the war. When the warrior saw his lady dead, he took the body outside of the town. He leveled a space near a lot of flowers. He put a knee on the ground and sadly contemplated the body like a sleeping woman and he also died. Both lovers became two big mountains, the Iztlacihuatl and the Popocatepetl volcano with both silhouettes drawn again the sky. Legend says she lay down with her head, hair, lips breast and feet and he lies beside her watching his beloved princess. If we learn the lessons of this legend, it is that when love is sincere and strong, it is an everlasting love. Xolotl Huascar

In This Issue EDITORIAL LOVE OF HISTORY AMOR IN ROMA ATHENS AROUND VALENTINE'S ATHENS IN LOVE EGYPT IN THE SEASON OF LOVE MARRIAGE IN BABYLON VANDALISM IN GERMANIA MEANWHILE IN MACHU PICCHU AN AZTEC LEGEND POMPEII BOOK REVIEWS Reporters and Contributors Editor: Maximius Flavius Reporter, Rome: Heraklia Aelius Reporter, Rome: Caeseria Maximus Reporter, Athens: Aphrodite Theocritos Reporter, Athens: Louisa Agis Reporter, Egypt: Onions Hatshepsut Reporter, Egypt: AzureEyes Ramesses Reporter, Babylon: Apiladey Apilsin Reporter, Babylon: Leah Enkidu Reporter, Celtia: Caileadair Morna Reporter, Germania: Thiudareiks Gunthigg Reporter, Machu Picchu: ChanChan Tupac Article: Heraklia Aelius Article: Cornellia Cornelius Book Review: Xolotl Huascar Book Review: Optimus Valerius Acta Graphics: Tobius Tullius Articles, stories and reports for Acta are very welcome. Contact Maximius if you wish to contribute.