Deep in the heart of ancient Italy, a legend was born—one that would shape the history of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. According to Roman mythology, the city of Rome was founded in 753 BCE by Romulus and Remus, twin brothers abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf. Their story is one of fate, betrayal, and the rise of an empire that would dominate the ancient world for centuries.
The tale begins with their grandfather, Numitor, the rightful king of Alba Longa, who was overthrown by his brother, Amulius. To prevent any future threats to his rule, Amulius forced Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal Virgin, swearing her to a life of celibacy. However, according to legend, the war god Mars intervened, and Rhea Silvia gave birth to twin sons, Romulus and Remus. Fearing they would one day challenge him, Amulius ordered the infants to be drowned in the Tiber River. But fate had other plans—the basket carrying the twins drifted safely to shore, where they were discovered by a she-wolf who nurtured them as her own. Later, a shepherd named Faustulus took them in and raised them as his sons.
As the twins grew, so did their strength and ambition. Upon learning their true heritage, they led a rebellion, overthrowing Amulius and restoring their grandfather to the throne. But their destiny lay elsewhere. They sought to build a city of their own near the banks of the Tiber, where they had been saved as infants. However, a bitter dispute arose over where to establish the new city. Romulus favored Palatine Hill, while Remus preferred Aventine Hill. When neither could agree, Romulus took matters into his own hands, marking the city’s boundaries. Remus, in defiance, mocked his brother by stepping over the sacred line—a fatal mistake. In a fit of rage, Romulus struck down his twin, cementing his place as the sole founder of Rome.
With Remus gone, Romulus set forth to build his city, naming it after himself. He established its first government, welcomed outcasts and exiles as citizens, and laid the foundation for what would become one of the most powerful empires in history. Though the story is steeped in myth, its themes of destiny, conflict, and ambition echo through Rome’s history. Whether fact or fable, the legend of Romulus and Remus continues to inspire, reminding us that even the greatest empires are born from struggle and sacrifice.