Romulus

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Romulus and Remus

ROMULUS, brother of Remus, was the traditional founder and first King of Rome. According to legend, Romulus was the son of Mars, the god of war, and Rhea Silvia, daughter of Numitor, the Latin King of Alba.

When Amulius usurped the Alban throne, he commanded the babes to be thrown into the Tiber, but they were cast ashore at the foot of Mount Palatine and suckled by a she wolf. A shepherd named Faustulus discovered them and with the assistance of his wife, Acca Laurentia, brought them up in his own home. After attaining manhood, they discovered their true rank and restored their grandfather, Numitor, to his throne.

Afterward they resolved to found a city on the spot where their lives had been saved, but consulted the omens to see who should select the site. As the honor fell to Romulus, he was scorned by his brother Remus. Romulus then slew him and exclaimed, "So perish every one who may scorn the city."

It was founded in 754 a. c., and called Rome after his own name, and he became its first king. He made his city the asylum of refugees. As there was a lack of women, young Romans seized maidens from the Sabines, which became known as the "Rape of the Sabines," and involved the new city in a war. The contest soon after ended through the entreaties' of the Sabine wives and the two peoples became united. The death of Romulus, in 716 B.C., is accounted for in legends by the assertion that he disappeared in a thunderstorm.