You might have probably heard of Romulus when you were in school. Romulus’s story, highlighted by his founding of Rome, symbolized the city’s origins and power. His tale of overcoming challenges reflects Rome’s emphasis on power, unity, and destiny in establishing a great city and civilization. Romulus’s leadership and military power laid the groundwork for Rome’s expansion and dominance in ancient history.
Romulus’s early years and Rome’s beginnings
Romulus was central to Rome’s legendary foundation. Born to a priestess named Rhea Silvia and the god Mars, Romulus and his twin brother Remus faced many challenges from birth. Their great-uncle Amulius, who had taken the throne of Alba Longa from their grandfather Numitor, tried to kill the infants by ordering them thrown into the Tiber River.
The twins survived and were cared for by a she-wolf before being found by Faustulus, a shepherd. As young men, Romulus and Remus learned of their true identities and helped restore their grandfather Numitor to the throne of Alba Longa.
Wanting to establish a city they could call their own, the brothers argued over its location. They agreed to settle the dispute through augury – watching for signs from the gods in the form of birds. Remus saw six vultures, while Romulus claimed to see twelve, leading to more conflict.
Romulus started building the walls of his new city on the Palatine Hill. Remus jumped over the low wall to mock it during a heated moment with his brother. Enraged, Romulus or one of his followers struck and killed Remus. This act of fratricide marked the founding of Rome, traditionally dated to 753 BCE.
As Rome’s first king, Romulus worked to grow and strengthen the new settlement. He offered asylum to outcasts and fugitives to increase the population, created the Roman Senate with 100 members, and organized the citizens into military units.
However, Romulus faced a major problem – Rome had very few women, making it hard to sustain the population. His solutions were controversial. For instance, he invited the neighboring Sabine people to a festival. At a signal, the Romans abducted many Sabine women, who were forced to marry Roman men.
This incident, known as the Rape of the Sabine Women, led to war between Rome and the Sabines. The conflict ended when the Sabine women, now married to Romans, intervened to reconcile the two sides. The Sabines agreed to join Rome, with their king Titus Tatius co-ruling alongside Romulus for a time.
Romulus continued to lead Rome and fight wars to expand its territory. Ancient writers credit him with creating many of Rome’s early political, military, and religious institutions. But his reign ended mysteriously – legend says he vanished in a storm or was taken to the heavens, becoming the god Quirinus.
Romulus’s good and bad side
The story of Romulus contains both heroic and troubling elements. He overcame early hardships to found a great city. Romulus created important Roman institutions and expanded Rome’s power and influence.
Romulus’s leadership and vision led him to establish Rome’s early laws, structures, and institutions. His vision helped lay the foundation for what would become one of history’s greatest empires.
Romulus was also a strong and brave warrior whose military prowess enabled him not just to defend his city, but also expand its territory. He also established significant military strategies, such as the formation of the Roman legions in the creation of the Roman senate. His actions reflect his strategic mind, enabling him to think of long-term plans and organize a solid society.
Many people saw Romulus as a charismatic leader. He could easily attract people to his causes. Romulus established Rome as a haven for outcasts – such as refugees and exiles – thus helping to increase the city’s population.
Despite these admirable characteristics, Romulus also exhibited many negative traits. Historians describe him as violent and ruthless. He killed his brother during a dispute over the founding of Rome. Romulus’s willingness to use violence to achieve his goals cast a shadow on his otherwise great legacy.
Romulus was also deceptive. As part of his plan to abduct Sabine women for his male followers, he invited the neighboring Sabines to a “festival.” These celebrations were a sham, as the Romans drove the men away and kidnapped the women.
His morally questionable decisions and acts reflect that he was willing to deceive and violate other people for the sake of Rome’s growth. He placed ambition over ethics or morality to achieve his goals.
And most of all, Romulus ruled as an absolute monarch. Some accounts suggested he was a tyrannical leader who never allowed dissent. His disappearance, or some say murder, often attributed to dissatisfaction among the Roman elite with his rule.
This combination of glory and violence reflected how later Romans viewed their city’s origins. Even though they saw Romulus’s actions as harsh, they thought these actions were necessary for Rome’s eventual greatness.
The legend of Romulus
While likely not historical, the Romulus legend remained significant to Roman identity for centuries. It explained Rome’s name, location on the Seven Hills, and rise from humble beginnings to a mighty empire. The twins’ survival and rise to power showed divine favor for Rome.
If you’re interested in following Romulus’s story, you may want to visit the places mentioned in the legend. There’s the Lupercal cave, where the she-wolf nursed the twins, and the Palatine Hill, where Romulus built the first walls.
The spot where Romulus supposedly vanished, Campus Martius, is now part of today’s Rome. However, it’s no longer a vast open space. The area is now densely built with streets, plazas, and notable landmarks (such as the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and parts of Via del Corso).
Romans celebrated the city’s founding each year with the festival of Parilia on April 21. The legend also inspired Roman art and literature, appearing in works by Livy, Ovid, Virgil, and others.
Archaeologists have found evidence of early settlements on Rome’s hills dating to the 8th century BCE. However, the historical reality behind Rome’s beginnings remains unclear. The Romulus story likely combined scraps of history with myth to create an origin befitting a great empire.
Let’s take a look at the timeline of key events in the Romulus’s legend:
- c. 770 BCE – The birth of Romulus and Remus
- c. 753 BCE – The founding of Rome
- c. 750 BCE – The abduction of the Sabine women
- c. 717 BCE – Romulus’s death or disappearance
The impact of Romulus’s story
As far as impact goes, Romulus’s story went far beyond ancient times. Renaissance artists depicted scenes from the legend. Early modern Europeans used it as a model for colonization and empire-building. Even up to now, the famous bronze statue of the twins with the she-wolf remains Rome’s symbol.
While modern historians view the tale as mostly mythical, it offers insights into how the Romans saw themselves and their past. The combination of divine ancestry, humble beginnings, and ruthless ambition in Romulus reflected Rome’s journey from a small city-state to a world empire.