Who was Egeria?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

June 27, 2003

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Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa Planchon) is a graceful plant added to aquaria to oxygenate the water. The plant was named for a nymph, a nature spirit worshipped by the ancient Sabines in the early years of the Roman Empire.

After the death of Romulus, the founder of Rome, the senate ruled for one year. The senators were oppressive and the people of Rome demanded a just leader. The Romans would select the new king, but to keep peace the leader had to be from the conquered Sabines. It is said all voices concurred in selecting the wise and pious

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Egeria was a Camenae, one of four nymphs who remembered the past and foretold the future, at Porta Capena in the valley of Caparella near Rome. Landscape with the Nymph Egeria Framed Art Print by  Claude Lorrain Buy Framed Art Print at AllPosters.com

Numa Pompilius as king of Rome. Numa consulted the auguries (signs or omens) and when assured his rule was the will of the gods, he took the throne.

Egeria was a Camenae, one of four nymphs who remembered the past and foretold the future. Both a prophetess and a giver of life, Egeria gave aid to pregnant women and mothers. There were two places in the land sacred to the immortal nymph--a shady vale in Aricia and Porta Capena in the valley of Caparella near Rome.

Every evening, Numa went to Caparella to the place where a spring flowed from a dark recess. Egeria and her sisters instructed him in the proper religious observations. Numa set down the ecclesiastical laws taught to him by the Camenae, he returned lands to their rightful heirs, and entreated Jupiter until the god relented on human sacrifice. Egeria was Numa's beloved and his reign was one of quiet happiness for Rome.

Even Mars blessed the kingdom. That nothing should break the peace, Mars dropped his ancile into the valley of Caparella and Numa ordained the order of the Salii, the priests of Mars. The Salii were charged with the care of the ancile and for as long as the shield should remain in Rome, the country was protected from all calamities.

After thirty-nine years of reign, Numa had filled his days. He fell asleep, never to awaken. Egeria fled to Aricia. In the shady vale, a spring formed as Egeria melted into her tears.

The University of Adelaide Library Electronic Texts Collection has Bulfinch's Age of Fable, chapter 22, has the various legends of the nymphs and nature spirits. To read the legends, click on the link:

http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/b/bulfinch/thomas/b93fab/chap22.html

Space.com has a page about Mars the "god of war". To learn more click the link:

http://www.space.com/mars/

(Compiled from the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, William Smith, editor, John Murray, London, 1902)

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