Romulus And Remus

Romulus And Remus

This story is from Roman mythology, and tells of the events leading to the founding of the city of Rome.

Rhea was a princess, the daughter of Numitor, the rightful ruler of the kingdom of Alba Longa. But Numitor was killed by his brother Amulius. Rhea, afraid of what Amulius might do to her, went into hiding.

Rhea was visited by Mars, the Roman God of war, from whom Rhea conceived and later gave birth to twin sons, Romulus and Remus. Amulius heard of this, and was furious. He put the boys in a basket and left the basket in river Tiber in the hope that they will die a natural death.

But the twins were saved by the god Tiberinus, Father of the River. They were nourished by a she-wolf, who took Romulus and Remus to her cave and suckled them to life like her own cubs.

Later, a shepherd called Faustulus and his wife found the twins. The couple fostered the boys to manhood, but as they got older they wanted to be kings, not just simple shepherds.

Eventually, the twins discovered the truth of their birth. They killed Amulius and brought back Numitor as king. Rather than wait to inherit Alba Longa, they decided to found a new city on the shores of the Tiber.

Romulus wanted the new city to be on the Palatine Hill; Remus preferred the Aventine Hill. They quarreled and in a fit of rage Romulus picked up a rock and killed his brother.

Romulus founded the new city, which he named Roma, after himself. He created its first legions and senate, and became the great city’s first king.