Nu′ma Pompil′ius, the second Roman king, (who ruled 715–672 B. C.), successor to Romulus, was a native of Cures, in the Sabine country, and esteemed for his piety and wisdom. He was elected king by the Roman people and by the aid of supposed interviews with the nymph Egeria in the groves near the city began to draw up forms of religious institutions for the people, and was thus, according to story, the author of the Roman ceremonial. He reigned during 39 years of peace and happiness.
