The story of Romulus and Remus is one of the most iconic legends in Western civilization. Rooted in myth, yet woven deeply into Roman identity and history, it tells of twin brothers, divine prophecy, betrayal, and the founding of one of the greatest empires the world has ever known, Rome. Passed down through centuries by poets, historians, and artists, the legend captures both the brutal and heroic spirit of the ancient Romans.
Origins of the Myth
According to Roman mythology, the saga of Romulus and Remus begins with the fall of Alba Longa, a city said to have been founded by Aeneas’ son, Ascanius, after the fall of Troy. Generations later, the throne of Alba Longa was usurped by Amulius, who seized power from his brother Numitor.
Fearing retribution, Amulius eliminated Numitor's male heirs and forced Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal Virgin, sworn to chastity and service to the goddess Vesta. However, Rhea Silvia became pregnant, claiming she had been visited and impregnated by the god Mars, the Roman deity of war.
She gave birth to twin boys: Romulus and Remus.
The Abandonment and the She-Wolf
Amulius, enraged by this perceived threat to his rule, ordered the infants to be drowned in the Tiber River. But fate intervened. The servant assigned to the task took pity on the twins and abandoned them along the riverbank instead.
Miraculously, the river’s waters had receded, leaving the infants alive in the marshy lands of the Palatine Hill. There, a she-wolf (lupa in Latin) discovered them. Moved either by maternal instinct or divine will, the she-wolf nursed and cared for the boys in her den.
Eventually, a shepherd named Faustulus found the twins and, along with his wife, Larentia (sometimes also associated with the she-wolf myth), raised them as his own.
Growth and Discovery
Romulus and Remus grew into strong and courageous young men. They became natural leaders among the local shepherds and young warriors. However, conflicts soon arose with the forces loyal to Amulius.
During a skirmish, Remus was captured and brought before King Amulius. Romulus rallied a rescue, leading to the discovery of their royal lineage. With the help of Numitor, who revealed their true heritage, Romulus and Remus overthrew and killed Amulius. They restored Numitor to the throne of Alba Longa.
Freed from their royal obligations, the twins decided to found a new city of their own, along the banks of the Tiber where they had been miraculously saved.
The Founding of Rome and the Tragic Rivalry
Romulus and Remus, however, disagreed about the exact location and leadership of the new settlement. Romulus preferred the Palatine Hill, while Remus favored the Aventine Hill. To settle the dispute, they sought an omen from the gods, a practice known as augury, interpreting the will of the gods through the flight patterns of birds.
Remus claimed to have seen six birds first, but Romulus later saw twelve, and each claimed victory based on the signs. Tensions escalated rapidly.
In the ensuing conflict, Romulus killed Remus. Different versions of the myth describe the death variously: Remus mocking Romulus by leaping over his newly built walls; Romulus slaying Remus in anger; or Romulus's followers murdering Remus. Regardless, Romulus stood as the sole founder of the city.
Romulus named the city "Rome" after himself and became its first king.
Romulus's Reign and Legacy
After founding Rome on April 21, 753 BC, a date celebrated in ancient Roman festivals, Romulus set about organizing its initial structure. He fortified the city, attracted citizens by offering asylum to fugitives and exiles, and even arranged the famous abduction of the Sabine women to secure wives for his male settlers.
According to legend, Romulus reigned for many years before mysteriously disappearing during a thunderstorm. Some believed he was taken up to the heavens and deified as the god Quirinus, one of Rome’s early deities.
Symbolism of the Romulus and Remus Legend
The legend of Romulus and Remus is more than a tale of adventure and violence. It embodies central themes that shaped Roman identity:
Divine destiny: Their birth from Mars connects Rome to the gods.
Strength and survival: Nursed by a wild animal, raised among shepherds, the twins' early lives symbolize endurance and fortitude.
Sacred violence: The fratricide between Romulus and Remus reflects Rome's often brutal path to greatness and the harsh realities of statecraft.
Civic pride: Rome’s foundation myth reinforced the belief in the city’s unique destiny to rule the world.
The image of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, known as the Lupa Capitolina, became one of the most enduring symbols of Rome, appearing in art, sculpture, and modern city emblems.
Historical Interpretations
Historians have long debated the historicity of Romulus and Remus. Some suggest the story is an allegory for rival tribal groups competing for dominance in early Latium. Others see echoes of older myths from Greek and Etruscan traditions that were adapted by early Roman writers to create a uniquely Roman identity.
Regardless of its literal truth, the legend was a powerful tool for Rome’s elite, from the Republic through the Empire, used to legitimize political authority and foster unity among Rome's citizens.
Conclusion
The legend of Romulus and Remus, with its drama, violence, and divine intervention, remains a cornerstone of Roman mythology. It speaks to the origins not only of a city but of a civilization that would shape the history of the world. In the wilds by the Tiber, nurtured by a she-wolf and driven by fate, two brothers gave rise to the Eternal City, a story of ambition, rivalry, and destiny that still captivates imaginations thousands of years later.
