As you wander through the streets of Rome, you will see the she-wolf nursing two boys almost everywhere you look. It is the symbol of Rome, and this is the legend behind it.
Romulus and Remus - The Twin Sons of the Roman God Mars.
Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Alba Longa, there were two brothers named Remus and Romulus. They were twins, born to the god of war, Mars, and a Vestal Virgin named Rhea Silvia. Rhea Silvia was the daughter of the former king, Numitor, who had been displaced by his brother Amulius.
Sent to die by their grand uncle - the king.
Amulius, the king of Alba Longa and the boys’ great uncle fearing the potential power of the twins, ordered them to be abandoned on the banks of the Tiber River, the famous river that still flows in today’s Rome. So, when you cross the bridge to Sant’Angelo Castle or to the Trastevere neighborhood, remember that these legendary waters were once supposed to kill Romulus and Remus.
Saved by the gods and raised by a she-wolf.
Thankfully, the god Tiberinus, Father of the River, intervened and sent a she-wolf to save the infants. Romulus and Remus were saved and suckled by the she-wolf, in a cave located at the foot of the Palatine Hill, until they were found and raised by a shepherd named Faustulus.
Remus and Romulus decided to build a city of their own.
Growing up, Remus and Romulus became natural leaders and popular figures in their community. One day, the twins got involved in a fierce dispute between the supporters of Numitor and Amulius. The conflict led to Remus being taken prisoner and brought to Alba Longa, where both Numitor and King Amulius had their suspicions about the true identity of the twins.
With the help of the city, Romulus freed his brother. It was during the rescue mission that the twins discovered their identity and joined forces with their grandfather to restore him to the throne. The plan was successful, and Amulius was killed, with Numitor being reinstated as the rightful king of Alba. Following their success, Romulus and Remus decided to build a city of their own.
How Rome was founded: a dispute between brothers and a crime.
However, they could not agree on the location of the city. Remus favored the Aventine Hill, while Romulus preferred the Palatine Hill. To settle the dispute, they sought the approval of the gods through a sign. Romulus saw a group of vultures on the Palatine Hill, while Remus claimed to have seen them on the Aventine Hill. Romulus was declared the winner and they began building their city on the Palatine Hill.
However, Remus was not pleased with the outcome and mocked the size of the walls Romulus was building. In a fit of rage, Romulus killed his brother Remus. He then went on to name the city after himself – Rome.
And so, the legend of Remus and Romulus lives on as a tale of sibling rivalry, divine intervention, and the founding of one of the greatest cities in history.
If you travel to Rome, I definitely recommend you visit both hills that were subject to the brotherly dispute. The Palatine Hill, where the she-wolf nursed the twins, and the place chosen by Romulus to build Rome, can be visited together with the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It is a magical place, with a beautiful park and ancient ruins, where you can wander for hours. The Aventine Hill is just as beautiful. There is a lovely park up there, called Giardino degli Aranci, with a mindblowing optical illusion. Nearby, you will find the iconic Knight of Malta Keyhole.
In Rome, but also throughout Europe, you may have seen copies of the statue portraying the she-wolf nursing the twins. The original bronze statue is housed at the Capitoline Museums in Rome, and I was there just to see it because it is a symbol dear to my heart, I definitely recommend you check it out, as it’s an impressive experience.
