How did one of the most successful cities in the world begin?
Rome is renowned for its long and extraordinary history, home to crumbling ruins and epic artefacts that have been within the city walls for thousands of years. However, the foundation of Rome is still not absolutely known, being way back on the 21st of April 753 BCE. However, there has been numerous myths and legends on the city’s birth that have been told for centuries by the Romans.
The Myth of Romulus and Remus
This historic legend tells the tale of twin brothers Romulus and Remus. Their mother, Rhea, was said to be a Vestal Virgin, with rumours that their father was the God of War, Mars. Their great uncle was King Amulius, who was didn’t want any rival claimants to his title. Amulius ordered the infants to be put to death when he discovered their birth, ordering them to be drowned in the Tiber River. However, the babies were simply dropped into the river, and washed downstream, washing up on the banks of what would later be known as Palatine Hill. The twins were discovered by a she-wolf called Lupa, who took the babies in and let them drink her milk. After some time, they were found by a shepherd called Faustulus and his wife, who raised the boys as their own. The twins grew up to be glorious, young, strong men, and once discovering their true origin, they sought to overthrow Amulius. However, instead of taking Amulius’ crown, they instead restoring their grandfather to the throne and sought out a new region to rule. Heading to the spot they were first discovered by a she wolf, Romulus and Remus went about founding a new city of their own.
However, once discussing their shared goal, Romulus and Remus became involved in a petty quarrel, which led to a deadly battle where Remus was brutally slain. Romulus became the sole ruler of the settlement, naming it “Rome” after himself.
The Myth of Roma
Another retelling of the foundation of Rome came from ancient Greece. The tale states that the mythical Trojan Aeneas founded Lavinium, and began a dynasty that would lead to the birth of the twins Romulus and Remus centuries later. In a Greek poem written by the poet Homer in the 8th century BC, It states that Aeneas was the only main Trojan survivor. With the passage saying that his descendants would rule the Trojans one day. Greek scholars proposed from this evidence that Aeneas and his followers must of relocated and settled into the region now known as Rome. This legend says that Rome was infact named after a woman called Roma, not Romulus. Roma was said to travel along with Aeneas at the time of relocating. After resting for some time resting in the region of Rome, the men of the group wanted to keep moving to find another settlement area, whereas Roma and the other women did not. The men decided to leave, but Roma decided to burn the Trojan ships, stranding the Trojan men and women at the site which would become Rome.
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