Numa Pompilius

(reigned 715-673) It is believed that Numa Pompilius was chosen after the death of Romulus by the Sabines. According to H. H. Scullard [1] he built a palace (the Regia), near the Forum in order to be closer to the Capitol, as opposed to his previous home on the Quirinal.

Tradition says that he is the priest-king[1] who organised the priestly colleges to Mars, Jupiter and the Vestal Virgins, as well as changing the religious calendar from a ten month calendar to a twelve moth calendar. [1]

Temple of Janus

Livy [2] states that 'he built the Temple of Janus at the foot of the Aventine as an index of peace and war, to signify when it was open that the State was under arms, and when it was shut that all the surrounding nations were at peace'

He is also notable for the creation of the religious figure head pontifex maximus, [2] a term still used by the pope today. This position was given to a Senator, and he then became responsible for all regulations bearing on religion - including the victim, the temple, the god and the day of each and every sacrifice.[2] It also included several religious practices required by the people on a regular basis. This significant change in the role of religion in society severly impacted the foundations of their society as it had become more about appeasing the gods and living a righteous life than it was about land, as it had been in previous years.

Numa also made efforts to distinguish between the days that business could
take place and those it could not. This is because, as Livy puts it 'it would sometimes be advisable that there should be no business transacted with the people.' [2]

And to Numa Pompilius is credited a whole 43 year reign of complete peace.[2]