The Myth of Romulus and Remus
-Christina

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            The traditional date for the foundation of Rome is 21 April 753 BCE. This is the day on which Romulus established the settlement on the Tiber River that would become Rome.

            Their part of the story begins with the twins’ grandfather, Numitor, who was the rightful heir to the throne of Alba Longa, but was overthrown by his younger brother Amulius. In order to assure his position, he killed Numitor’s son and dedicated Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, to the priesthood of the goddess Vesta. As a priestess of Vesta, she was required to remain a virgin and so would not produce an heir for her father, causing his line to die out and legitimizing Amulius’ usurpation after the fact.

            Rhea Silvia served honorably as a Vestal; it was a respected position even if not one she had chosen. Her service was forced to an end by Mars, the god of war, who raped her, leaving her pregnant. The punishment for a Vestal who broke her vows (whether it was consensual or not) was death, but Rhea was spared through the intercession of her cousin Antho, who was Amulius’ daughter. Rhea Silvia gave birth to twin boys, Romulus and Remus, who Amulius ordered killed immediately. The servant given the task threw them into the Tiber; instead of drowning, they washed up on shore. There, they were nursed by a wolf until a shepherd named Faustulus found them He and his wife raised them as their own, and they grew up knowing nothing of their origin. We do not hear of Rhea Silvia again, though Ovid claims she committed suicide by throwing herself into the Tiber, that river that had drowned her sons, as far as she knew.

            As adults, while celebrating the festival of the Lupercalia in Alba Longa, the true parentage of Romulus and Remus was revealed. They aided their grandfather Numitor in killing Amulius and retaking the throne. In celebration of the victory, and in order to expand the settlements and reach of Alba Longa, the twins decided to establish a new settlement where they had washed upon the riverbank. However, they disagreed on who should name and rule the town. They decided to settle the issue by augury: each would watch for signs and omens and, in this way, allow the gods to make the decision for them. Romulus chose to observe the heavens from the Palatine Hill and Remus chose the Aventine. Remus was the first to report seeing an omen: six birds flew overhead. Romulus reported a flock of birds quickly thereafter, but his was larger at a dozen birds. Remus argued that the gods favored him because his sign was first; Romulus argued that the gods favored him because his sign was larger. Each man had supporters who advocated for him. The dispute turned to violence and Remus was killed. Another version of the story has the men competing to build the base of their city walls the quickest; in that account it is Romulus who personally kills Remus for jumping over or kicking down his wall. Both versions leave Romulus triumphant. The new city was centered on the Palatine Hill and named Rome in honor of its founder.