Describe the two legends that tell the founding of Rome. Then describe how and when Rome was actually founded.
There are two legends about the founding of Rome. One of these involves two twins: Romulus and Remus. These two were abandoned by the river Tiber River and were expected to die. However, they were rescued by a female wolf, and were later found by a shepherd, who raised them. At around 753 BC, Romulus and Remus decided to build a city. All was going well until the two brothers began to argue. While searching out different sites of where to begin building, they kept their eyes out for omens that would show which of the sites was best. Remus apparently saw 6 vultures, which was a very good omen, whereas Romulus claimed to have seen 12 - an even better one. They began arguing over the number of vultures they had seen, and during the argument, Remus made fun of the walls Romulus had built. This was the last straw for Romulus, who then killed his twin. This made Romulus the single king and leader of Rome, which he named after himself.
The second legend involving the origins of Rome tells that the ancient city is far older than Remus and Romulus. In the Aeneid, it tells of a hero, Aeneas. Aeneas had been fighting in the Trojan War against the Greeks, and had escaped being killed when Troy was destroyed. He arrived in Rome with a few of his men after many adventures. After a few wars, Aeneas managed to marry the king's daughter and unite the Latins and the Trojans, and creating the city of Rome.
What historians really believe happened in the founding of Rome began with the Latins, as far back as 1000 BC. Originally, there were a few different tribes who grew crops and tended to their herds or flocks of livestock. Later, at around 700-800 BC, they decided to band together for protection against invading tribes. This little town of people grew into what we now know as the city of Rome.
There are two legends about the founding of Rome. One of these involves two twins: Romulus and Remus. These two were abandoned by the river Tiber River and were expected to die. However, they were rescued by a female wolf, and were later found by a shepherd, who raised them. At around 753 BC, Romulus and Remus decided to build a city. All was going well until the two brothers began to argue. While searching out different sites of where to begin building, they kept their eyes out for omens that would show which of the sites was best. Remus apparently saw 6 vultures, which was a very good omen, whereas Romulus claimed to have seen 12 - an even better one. They began arguing over the number of vultures they had seen, and during the argument, Remus made fun of the walls Romulus had built. This was the last straw for Romulus, who then killed his twin. This made Romulus the single king and leader of Rome, which he named after himself. |
| Aeneas |
What historians really believe happened in the founding of Rome began with the Latins, as far back as 1000 BC. Originally, there were a few different tribes who grew crops and tended to their herds or flocks of livestock. Later, at around 700-800 BC, they decided to band together for protection against invading tribes. This little town of people grew into what we now know as the city of Rome.
Works Cited
“The Founding of Rome.” The Roman Empire. roman-empire.net, 4 July 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.roman-empire.net/founding/found-index.html>.
“Myths and Legends - Rome, the Wolf, and Mars.” About.com. about.com, 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/grecoromanmyth1/a/mythslegends_3.htm>.
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