Romulus and Remus: Founders of Rome

The Twins of Destiny

Long before Rome became an empire that stretched across continents, before emperors ruled and legions marched, there was a story — a myth of twin brothers, abandoned at birth, saved by a wild creature, and destined to shape the fate of the world. This is the tale of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, whose legend echoes with both glory and tragedy.

Birth of the Twins — Children of Mars

The story begins with Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin and descendant of Aeneas, the Trojan hero. She was forced into chastity by her uncle Amulius, who had seized the throne of Alba Longa. But fate cannot be silenced. Mars, the god of war, visited Rhea Silvia, and from their union were born the twins Romulus and Remus.

Fearing prophecy, Amulius ordered the infants drowned in the River Tiber. Yet the river itself, swollen and merciful, delivered them to safety. Destiny had begun its course.

The She-Wolf and the Shepherd

On the riverbank, a she-wolf (lupa) discovered the crying twins. Instead of tearing them apart, she suckled and protected them, embodying the raw, untamed spirit that would one day define Rome. Later, a shepherd named Faustulus found the boys and raised them as his own, teaching them the ways of men — but their divine heritage burned within them.

Brothers Against a Tyrant

As young men, Romulus and Remus learned of their royal lineage. They gathered allies and overthrew Amulius, restoring their grandfather Numitor to the throne of Alba Longa. Yet their destiny lay beyond Alba. The twins dreamed of founding a new city — one that would eclipse all others.

The Quarrel of Omens

But where to build? Romulus favored the Palatine Hill, while Remus chose the Aventine. To settle the matter, they sought divine signs. Remus saw six vultures, Romulus twelve. The brothers quarreled bitterly, their rivalry echoing the eternal struggle between ambition and brotherhood.

The Death of Remus

In the end, fate demanded a price. Accounts differ: some say Romulus slew Remus in anger after he mocked his brother by leaping over the city walls; others claim Remus fell in the quarrel of omens. What remains certain is that Romulus stood alone, victorious but scarred by fratricide.

He named the new city Rome, after himself. The foundations of empire were laid not only in stone but in blood.

Rome’s Eternal Destiny

Romulus became the first king of Rome, shaping its laws, institutions, and armies. He invited exiles and wanderers to populate the new city, making Rome a refuge for all — and in that inclusivity lay its future power. He also established the Senate, a body that would outlive kings, dictators, and even emperors.

Though Romulus eventually vanished in a storm, some say he was taken up by the gods, becoming the deity Quirinus, guardian of Rome.

Legacy of the Founders

The myth of Romulus and Remus is more than a story of twin brothers. It is a tale of destiny, divine will, and sacrifice. Rome was born from struggle, ambition, and the cost of kinship — themes that would echo throughout its history. The she-wolf’s image still stands as the eternal symbol of Rome: fierce, protective, and untamed.

Conclusion — From Myth to Empire

The story of Romulus and Remus is not history in the strict sense, but it is truth in another way. It reveals how Romans understood themselves — as a people chosen by destiny, forged by struggle, and unafraid of sacrifice. From the suckling of a wolf to the crowning of emperors, Rome’s journey begins with two brothers on the banks of the Tiber.