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NUMA POMPILIUS
Legendary； 8th…7th Century B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
THOUGH the pedigrees of noble families of Rome go back in exact form
as far as Numa Pompilius； yet there is great diversity amongst
historians concerning the time in which he reigned； a certain writer
called Clodius； in a book of his entitled Strictures on Chronology；
avers that the ancient registers of Rome were lost when the city was
sacked by the Gauls； and that those which are now extant were
counterfeited； to flatter and serve the humour of some men who
wished to have themselves derived from some ancient and noble lineage；
though in reality with no claim to it。 And though it be commonly
reported that Numa was a scholar and a familiar acquaintance of
Pythagoras； yet it is again contradicted by others； who affirm that he
was acquainted with neither the Greek language nor learning； and
that he was a person of that natural talent and ability as of
himself to attain to virtue； or else that he found some barbarian
instructor superior to Pythagoras。 Some affirm； also； that
Pythagoras was not contemporary with Numa； but lived at least five
generations after him； and that some other Pythagoras； a native of
Sparta； who； in the sixteenth Olympiad； in the third year of which
Numa became king； won a prize at the Olympic race； might； in his
travel through Italy； have gained acquaintance with Numa； and assisted
him in the constitution of his kingdom； whence it comes that many
Laconian laws and customs appear amongst the Roman institutions。
Yet； in any case； Numa was descended of the Sabines； who declare
themselves to be a colony of the Lacedaemonians。 And chronology； in
general； is uncertain； especially when fixed by the lists of victors
in the Olympic games； which were published at a late period by Hippias
the Elean； and rest on no positive authority。 Commencing； however；
at a convenient point； we will proceed to give the most noticeable
events that are recorded of the life of Numa。
It was the thirty…seventh year； counted from the foundation of Rome；
when Romulus； then reigning； did； on the fifth day of the month of
July； called the Caprotine Nones； offer a public sacrifice at the
Goat's Marsh； in presence of the senate and people of Rome。 Suddenly
the sky was darkened； a thick cloud of storm and rain settled on the
earth； the common people fled in affright； and were dispersed； and
in this whirlwind Romulus disappeared； his body being never found
either living or dead。 A foul suspicion presently attached to the
patricians； and rumours were current among the people as if that they；
weary of kingly government； and exasperated of late by the imperious
deportment of Romulus towards them； had plotted against his life and
made him away； that so they might assume the authority and
government into their own hands。 This suspicion they sought to turn
aside by decreeing divine honours to Romulus； as to one not dead but
translated to a higher condition。 And Proculus； a man of note； took
oath that he saw Romulus caught up into heaven in his arms and
vestments； and heard him； as he ascended； cry out that they should
hereafter style him by the name of Quirinus。
This trouble； being appeased； was followed by another； about the
election of a new king； for the minds of the original Romans and the
new inhabitants were not as yet grown into that perfect unity of
temper； but that there were diversities of factions amongst the
commonalty and jealousies and emulations amongst the senators； for
though all agreed that it was necessary to have a king； yet what
person or of which nation was matter of dispute。 For those who had
been builders of the city with Romulus； and had already yielded a
share of their lands and dwellings to the Sabines； were indignant at
any pretension on their part to rule over their benefactors。 On the
other side； the Sabines could plausibly allege； that； at their king
Tatius's decease； they had peaceably submitted to the sole command
of Romulus； so now their turn was come to have a king chosen out of
their own nation； nor did they esteem themselves to have combined with
the Romans as inferiors； nor to have contributed less than they to the
increase of Rome； which； without their numbers and association；
could scarcely have merited the name of a city。
Thus did both parties argue and dispute their cause； but lest
meanwhile discord； in the absence of all command； should occasion
general confusion； it was agreed that the hundred and fifty senators
should interchangeably execute the office of supreme magistrate； and
each in succession； with the ensigns of royalty； should offer the
solemn sacrifices and despatch public business for the space of six
hours by day and six by night； which vicissitude and equal
distribution of power would preclude all rivalry amongst the
senators and envy from the people； when they should behold one；
elevated to the degree of a king； levelled within the space of a day
to the condition of a private citizen。 This form of government is
termed； by the Romans； interregnum。 Nor yet could they； by this
plausible and modest way of rule； escape suspicion and clamour of
the vulgar； as though they were changing the form of government to
an oligarchy； and designing to keep the supreme power in a sort of
wardship under themselves； without ever proceeding to choose a king。
Both parties came at length to the conclusion that the one should
choose a king out of the body of the other； the Romans make a choice
of a Sabine； or the Sabines name a Roman； this was esteemed the best
expedient to put an end to all party spirit； and the prince who should
be chosen would have an equal affection to the one party as his
electors and to the other as his kinsmen。 The Sabines remitted the
choice to the original Romans； and they； too； on their part； were more
inclinable to receive a Sabine king elected by themselves than to
see a Roman exalted by the Sabines。 Consultations being accordingly
held； they named Numa Pompilius； of the Sabine race； a person of
that high reputation for excellence； that； though he were not actually
residing at Rome； yet he was no sooner nominated than accepted by
the Sabines； with acclamation almost greater than that of the electors
themselves。
The choice being declared and made known to the people； principal
men of both parties were appointed to visit and entreat him； that he
would accept the administration of the government。 Numa resided at a
famous city of the Sabines called Cures； whence the Romans and Sabines
gave themselves the joint name of Quirites。 Pomponius； an
illustrious person； was his father； and he the youngest of his four
sons； being （as it had been divinely ordered） born on the twenty…first
day of April； the day of the foundation of Rome。 He was endued with
a soul rarely tempered by nature； and disposed to virtue； which he had
yet more subdued by discipline； a severe life； and the study of
philosophy； means which had not only succeeded in expelling the
baser passions； but also the viol