Romulus and Remus, mythological twin brothers and the legendary founders of Rome, were the children of Rhea Silvia and the god of war, Mars. The twin brothers were direct descendants of Aeneas, the character in Virgil’s Aeneid.
Early Childhood
Both Romulus and Remus were banished from their home city, because the king, King Amulius, thought they would overthrow him. The king took the children in a basket and put them on the Tiber River thinking they would die on their own. Tiberinus, god of the Tiber River, calmed the river for the children’s safety. Along with ensuring their safety, he guided the basket to a fig tree near the Palatine Hill in the Velabrum swamp. This is where the she-wolf (lupus) found the twins. The she-wolf took in the twins and treated them as one of her own. Ultimately, a shepherd and his wife, Faustulus and Acca Larentia, found the twins and raised them.
Romulus and Remus were herding sheep one day, when King Amulius came by and captured Remus. King Amulius thought that both of them were dead, so he didn’t recognize them. Romulus created an army of shepherds and rescued his brother. Romulus killed King Amulius.
The Founding of Rome
Romulus and Remus were offered the crown of Alba Longa, but they declined and went to find a new place to found Rome. Romulus wanted the city on the Palatine Hill, but Remus wanted the city on the Aventine Hill. The twins used an augury in order to determine which hill to build upon. Even with this, they still were unable to determine who won. The two brothers bickered until Romulus started to build walls around the Palatine Hill. Remus made fun of the wall and jumped over it. Romulus felt mocked and was so angered by Remus’ actions that he killed Remus. Romulus buries his brother and gives him a proper funeral. April 21st, 753 BCE, was the day that Rome was founded, named after its founder, Romulus.
Romulus became the first king of Rome and organized the city. He built an army including legions of 3,300 men. He organized the society with Patricians and the Senate. He established a city that would last over one thousand years.
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