Key figures in Numa’s life
- Tatius, father-in-law and king of the Sabines and Romans
- Tatia, Numa’s wife and King Tatius’ daughter
- Egeria, goddess with whom Numa communes
Key events in Numa’s Life
- Born on the same day as Romulus founded the city of Rome
- Numa’s wife Tatia dies in the 13th year of their marriage
- Recruited by Senate to be king of Rome
- Organized the priesthood; established the college of Vestal Virgins
- Introduced palladia (fire of Vesta, ancilia [sacred shields])
- Built the Regia
- Introduced festivals
- Organized the people into trades
- Adjusted the Roman Calendar
Key Characteristics of Numa
- He was a Sabine
- Humble
- Logical
- Intellectually curious
- Uninterested in glory
- Preferred a quiet contemplative life/Influenced by Pythagorean thought
- Interested in piety towards the gods/religious ritual
- Favored peaceful development rather than expansion by war
