| According to legend, this was home to another king of the city, whose influence shaped the earliest traditions of Roman life. His name was Numa Pompilius. The Romans believed that it was Numa who created the religious rituals and structures that made possible the rise of Rome. And he did it right here. When you visit the Forum for the first time, you're both dazzled and bewildered. It's a mishmash of architectural fragments from different ages. There are traces of temples built and rebuilt, layer upon layer of Roman history. Much of what stands here today belongs to the time of the emperors, the last leaders to make their mark. But the origins of this site can be dated right back to the period of the Roman monarchy. King Numa was said to have established four colleges of priests. With very clear responsibilities, they were not just religious, they were also political. And without their say-so, the entire routine of Roman politics would grind to a halt. |
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