Martia Dementia 2021 (Updated with Voting Bracket)

As 2021 marches on, it’s time for the madness to start anew: the seventh annual Bolchazy-Carducci Martia Dementia is now upon us! In 2020, various military figures from across the ancient world rose up to combat a miscellany of mythological monsters. While the monsters were strong contenders, Alexander the Great proved himself difficult to defeat. Now, the famed generals, rebels, and strategists are back and ready to take on whatever stands in their way, even if they must face . . . . birds. Birds, really? Yes, really! Martia Dementia 2021—inspired by Emma Vanderpool’s two Latin language immersive readers Explore Latin: Aves and Augury Is for the Birds—will pit some cacophonous, clamorous, riotous birds against the greatest military minds of ancient times. 

Some winged creatures of myth will be making a return—sirens, griffins, and harpies are back! Some new faces (or should I say beaks?) are also in the mix. Aethon, the infamous eagle that repeatedly devoured Prometheus’s liver, may prove a daunting adversary. The Crocodile Bird (possibly an Egyptian plover?) shows no fear when approaching the mouth of the frightening Nilotic reptile. Its fearlessness will surely be of benefit now. The Poisonous Ducks of Mithridates fed on hemlock and other toxic plants, rendering their flesh deadly and destructive. Will they prove to be lethal to their opponents? 
 
To the victor—whoever finishes with the best bracket—belong the spoils. Before getting to the prizes, here is the way the competition will work. Please read through the process carefully: this year we will continue to use an online bracket and voting system. 

The Bracket

Starting today, complete and submit a bracket to be eligible for wondrous prizes. Please access and submit your bracket online via the following link: Martia Dementia 2021 Bracket. 
 
When you access the online Martia Dementia bracket, click the “Submit your bracket!” button to start making your selections. You will be prompted to enter your name and email address; we need this information so that we can track and notify the winners of the competition once Martia Dementia is completed. After signing up, you will be asked to predict a winner for each game in the bracket. 

 

You will be asked to select a winner for each match-up
in the bracket.

At the bottom of this post, you will find a link to a PDF showing short descriptions of each of this year’s Martia Dementia participants. You can access the same descriptions by clicking on the photo of a given figure in the bracket.

Click on the image of a Martia Dementia competitor in
the online bracket to pull up a full description.

Once you have completed all of your selections and have submitted your bracket, you will receive a notice thanking you for your submission:
 
If you would like to view your prediction bracket, simply click on the link to “View My Prediction.” We recommend saving a copy of your bracket at this point so that you can keep track of how you are doing as the competition progresses. With our online submission system, you can also easily share your prediction bracket via email or social media—a great way to show off how you’re doing, or earn some pity points if your bracket is going poorly. 
 
We are also providing a PDF copy of the bracket here (for reference only) in case you would like to print a copy and fill one in with your class. However, we are not accepting scanned brackets this year, so make sure that you also submit the bracket online.

Brackets will be accepted through March 16.

 

The Survey

A voting survey will be made available on March 17, where you can vote for your picks. Whichever figures have the most votes by the time the survey closes will advance through the round. Actively participating in the survey betters your chances at winning. 
 
Beginning March 17, simply access the voting survey bracket here, which will be updated with the link (the voting survey has a black background). We will announce on social media when voting for each round has opened; note that during each round, you will vote using the voting bracket rather than the forms used in previous years.
 
We cannot stress enough the importance of voting early and voting often. When the survey goes live, cast your votes! Get your friends to vote for your picks. Teachers, get your students to stuff the survey with favorable votes!

Victori Spolia

This competition is not solely for bringing glory to your favorite ancient figure or bird. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers is offering book prizes for the brackets that most closely resemble the final results: a $100 book credit will be awarded to the first-place participant, a $50 credit to the second-place participant, and a $25 credit to the third-place participant. Feeling like you no longer stand a chance? Do not give up! There will also be a $25 credit for having the most abysmal bracket! 

Stay Connected

Be sure to bookmark this post and check back here to access the link to the voting bracket. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates as the competition progresses.

Remember, brackets close March 16, and the first round of voting will begin March 17.                                                                                        

Bracket and Other Resources
Access the online bracket (submissions now closed)
Access a printable bracket (for reference only) 
Access a description of all Martia Dementia 2021 figures 
Access the voting bracket

Voting Schedule:

Round 1: March 17–18

Round 2: March 19–22

Round 3 (Sweet 16): March 24–25

Quarterfinals (Elite 8): March 26–29

Semifinals (Final 4): March 31–April 2

Final (Championship): April 5–7

Note that each round of voting will open at 7:30 a.m. central time and close at 4:00 p.m. central time on the designated days.