Numa Pompilius

Numa was elected king of Rome after the death/ascension of Romulus. He lived away from Rome and banished all luxury and softness from his own home. When he was elected and asked to be the king he was not interested. His father and others convinced him to take the job as it would be a service to God. What a difference from our own presidents who spend billions of dollars trying to get the job.

Numa's very first act was to dismiss the royal bodyguard. He then focuses on spreading religion to the people in an attempt to cool their love of war. He was very successful in this work and there were no wars, sedition or conspiracy during his 43 year reign. This feeling a peace spread all through Italy.

To soften the distinction between Roman and Sabine he set up guilds so people began to distinguish them self by their trade rather than their heritage. This helped bring the city closer together.

He also made many modification to the calendar which we still use today such as the ordering of January, February and March. The calendar was also more accurate on the time in a year than the previous calendar in use.

"It is the fortune of all good men that their virtue rises in glory after their deaths." -Plutarch