Mortal princess of Alba Longa; daughter of the deposed king Numitor; forced into Vestal virginity by her usurping uncle Amulius to prevent her bearing heirs to the Alban throne. Conceived Romulus and Remus by Mars during the rites. Imprisoned (or drowned in the Tiber per Horace and Ovid) after the twins' birth; tradition has her becoming the bride of the river-god Tiberinus or Anio after death — preserving her in deified form. Mythic ancestress of Rome.