[Born at Cures, in the country of the Sabines.]
The life of Numa Pompilius belongs to the realm of fable. “His name,”
says Dr. Smith, “represents the rule of law and order, and to him are
ascribed all those ecclesiastical institutions which formed the basis of
the ceremonial religion of the Romans.” The legend attached to Numa
describes him as the mildest, wisest, and most virtuous of men. After
his election to the throne, vacated by Romulus, his first care was to
ameliorate the condition of his people, and to legislate on behalf of
religion. He reigned thirty-nine years in uninterrupted peace. It is
suggested that as Numa was reputed chosen from amongst the Sabines, the
Romans, in all probability, drew their religious institutions from that
nation, rather than from the Etruscans.
[From the bust in the Vatican at Rome.]