Numa Pompilius and the Vestal Cult
2024 © Maxim Tabachnik
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Numa Pompilius and the Vestal CultCavalier d’Arpino

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Cavalier d’Arpino (Giuseppe Cesari) depicts Numa Pompilius, Rome’s second king, founding the Vestal cult in his 1636–1638 fresco. Numa is credited with establishing this order of priestesses devoted to Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The artwork illustrates the integration of religion and governance in ancient Rome, emphasizing Numa’s influence on Roman spiritual and civic life.