The Peaceful and Pious King: Numa Pompilius in the Works of Cicero and Livy

This study analyzes the distinctive portrayals of Numa Pompilius in Cicero's De Re Publica and Livy's Ab Urbe Condita, focusing on how their respective historical contexts shaped these narratives. Cicero emphasizes Numa's contribution to the development of Rome’s mixed constitution and his role in maintaining peace through juridical and religious institutions, while rejecting claims of Greek influence on his achievements. Livy, in contrast, presents Numa's peaceful reign as complementary to Romulus's martial leadership, suggesting that their combined qualities were pivotal to Rome's strength and prosperity. The image of pius Numa, absent in Cicero's account but central to Livy's portrayal, underscores the augmented importance of pietas in the Augustan age. Numa's embodiment of peace and piety likely gained renewed significance as an exemplum under Augustus, who sought to establish his own legacy as a pious pontifex maximus and perpetuator of pax Augusta.