Forum Romanum Quotes

certain curiosity on that swarm of people and on that Forum Romanum, which both

Frontinus, in his treatis On the Water Supply of the City of Rome, writes that “the memory of the springs is still considered holy and revered; indeed they are believed to restore sick bodies to health, such as the spring of the Camenae, and … that of Iuturna.”20 A question arises, however, as to why the Vestals did not fetch their daily water at the closer lacus Iuturnae. Two reasons come to mind. First, the Vestals, walking through the city to fetch water, must have made quite an impression. They were recognizably different from other women, but at the same time, they were doing women’s work. Most likely, fetching water would be only one aspect of their daily duties, but it was one that took them outdoors, thus making them visible. Since it was part of a routine, the water fetching might have taken place at the same time every day. Second, before its springs fed into a marble basin, the lacus Iuturnae was, as the Latin word lacus suggests, a pool. The whole forum Romanum area was prone to floods, and one can but imagine rather swampy and unhealthy conditions. This fact did not, however, seem to impede the water quality of the Iuturna. Like the Camenae, according to Frontinus, it had salutary effects. According to tradition, the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, watered their horses at the Iuturna. Indeed, like any creature, thirsty horses drink stagnant water when no other water is available, and so the poor condition of the water might not have been a deterrent. The Camenae, whose water was considered especially good,21 was linked to Numa. According to tradition, in the grove (lucus) where the spring (fons) of the Camenae was, Numa conversed with Egeria, a water nymph with mantic powers. She became the king’s major inspiration. Water flowing (fons), rather than standing water in a pool (lacus), moved spirits and intellects. For the Romans, Numa was first to organize Roman religion, and this he did with the help of a prophesying nymph.