# Numa Pompilius

> legendary second king of Rome, succeeding Romulus

**Wikidata**: [Q200031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200031)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numa_Pompilius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/numa-pompilius

## Summary
Numa Pompilius was the legendary second king of Rome, succeeding Romulus. He is primarily known as a politician who introduced religious and legal reforms to stabilize the early Roman monarchy. His reign is celebrated for bringing peace and prosperity to Rome through his governance.

## Biography
- Born: -0753-04-21T00:00:00Z
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: [Not specified]
- Known for: Establishing religious and legal institutions to govern Rome
- Employer(s): House of the Vestals
- Field(s): Political governance, religious reform

## Contributions
Numa Pompilius is credited with introducing the Salii, a collegium of priests who performed ritual leaps in honor of Mars, and organizing the Fornacalia and Terminalia festivals to mark boundary markers. These contributions helped solidify Rome's religious and legal framework during his reign.

## FAQs
**What was Numa Pompilius's role in Rome?**
Numa Pompilius served as the second king of Rome, succeeding Romulus, and implemented religious and legal reforms to stabilize the monarchy.

**Which festivals did Numa Pompilius establish?**
He organized the Fornacalia and Terminalia festivals, which were tied to religious observances and boundary markers in Roman society.

**Who were the Salii, and what did they do?**
The Salii were a collegium of priests who performed ritual leaps in honor of Mars, a key religious practice during Numa's reign.

## Why They Matter
Numa Pompilius's reign marked a turning point in Rome's early history by introducing structured religious and legal practices. His reforms helped transition Rome from a mythical foundation to a more organized political entity. His legacy endures in the enduring traditions of Roman festivals and priestly colleges.

## Notable For
- Introduced the Salii, a collegium of priests honoring Mars
- Established the Fornacalia and Terminalia festivals
- Succeeded Romulus as Rome's second king
- Governed during a period of peace and prosperity

## Body
### Early Life and Reign
Numa Pompilius was born on April 21, 753 BCE, and succeeded Romulus as Rome's second king. His reign began in 715 BCE and lasted until his death in 673 BCE. Little is known about his early life, but he is credited with introducing significant religious and legal reforms.

### Religious and Legal Reforms
During his reign, Numa Pompilius established the Salii, a collegium of priests who performed ritual leaps in honor of Mars. He also organized the Fornacalia and Terminalia festivals, which marked important religious and boundary-related observances. These reforms helped solidify Rome's religious and legal framework.

### Legacy and Influence
Numa Pompilius's contributions to Roman governance laid the foundation for future political and religious traditions. His reign is often seen as a period of stability and prosperity, with his reforms influencing later Roman institutions. The House of the Vestals, where he served, became a key archaeological site preserving aspects of his legacy.

### Cultural Impact
The festivals and priestly colleges established by Numa Pompilius remain significant in Roman mythology and history. His reign is celebrated as a time when Rome transitioned from a mythical foundation to a more structured political entity, with his reforms shaping the religious and legal practices that followed.

## References

1. general catalog of BnF
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
5. Enciclopedia Treccani
6. Dizionario di Storia