“From the still glassy lake that sleeps
Beneath Aricia’s trees –
Those trees in whose dim shadow
The ghastly priest doth reign,
The priest who slew the slayer,
And shall himself be slain” (1)
Thomas Babbington Macaulay
These words by Thomas Babbington Macaulay succinctly sum up the deadly duel of life and death to decide the Rex Nemorensis, the legendary High Priest of Diana Nemorensis of the Sacred Grove of Lake Nemi. The Rex Nemorensis was a shadowy figure in ancient Greek and Roman myth and legend. Most versions of his story agree that he earned his title and role by winning a fight to the death to become the “ghastly priest” of the above verse. Here we shall briefly discuss the mythical goddess of the Sacred Grove, Diana Nemorensis, followed by a look at her high priest and his deadly duel…
View original post 1,656 more words
We Are Star Stuff 
Interesting! I’ve read the post and I’m wondering if the ‘King of The Wood’ and challenger idea wasn’t what inspired the newer Arthurian tales of the Green Knight and (I think) the Black Knight?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Possibly the account in Strabo’s Geography (and other sources) may have influenced the author. It’s the sort of thing someone who learned the classics would very likely know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool, thanks!
LikeLike
The way the Rex Nemorensis priesthood works reminds me a bit of how lions supposedly operate, challengers trying to unseat an incumbent who only holds his place until he weakens or a stronger challenger appears.
LikeLike