Numitor

A king of Alba Longa. He is the son of Procas, and father of Rhea Silvia and Lausus. His younger brother Amulius dethroned him but allowed him to live in the enjoyment of his private fortune. Fearful, however, lest the heirs of Numitor might not submit so quietly to his usurpation, he caused his only son to be murdered. He then made Silvia one of the Vestal virgins under the pretense of honoring her, but hoping that by consigning her to perpetual virginity she would not bear any children. She became however, pregnant by Mars and gave birth to Romulus and Remus who eventually reinstated Numitor as the legitimate ruler.

References

Sources

  • Juvenal, vii, 74.
  • Livy. The History of Rome i, 3.
  • Ovid. Fasti iv, 53.
  • Virgil. Aeneid vi, 768.