Numitor
Early Life
Numitor was a mythical king of Alba Longa, an ancient city located in the Alban Hills near Rome, Italy. According to the traditional history of Rome, as preserved by Roman historian Livy, Numitor was the son of Procas, the penultimate king of Alba Longa.
Ascension to the Throne
After the death of Procas, Numitor, the elder son, inherited the throne. However, his reign was short-lived as his brother, Amulius, seized the throne. Amulius forced Numitor to give up his claim to the throne and ordered the death of his male heirs. He also forced Numitor's daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal Virgin, swearing a vow of chastity to prevent her from giving birth to potential legitimate heirs to the throne.
Rhea Silvia and the Birth of Romulus and Remus
Despite Amulius' efforts, Rhea Silvia was impregnated by the god Mars and gave birth to twins, Romulus and Remus. Fearing the threat they posed to his rule, Amulius ordered the infants to be drowned in the Tiber River. However, the servant tasked with this act of infanticide relented, and instead placed the twins in a basket on the river, where they were discovered by a she-wolf who nurtured them.
Restoration to the Throne
Romulus and Remus, upon reaching adulthood and learning of their royal heritage, led a revolt against Amulius. They killed him and restored Numitor to the throne. Numitor's restoration marked the end of a dark period in the history of Alba Longa.
Legacy
Numitor's legacy is significant in the founding myth of Rome. After restoring Numitor to the throne, Romulus and Remus went on to found the city of Rome. Numitor's lineage, therefore, is directly linked to the foundation of one of the most powerful empires in history, the Roman Empire.