The Legend of Romulus and Remus

Background

• Ria Sylvia: Daughter of Pneumatore, King of Alba Longa.
  • Forced to serve as a Vestal Virgin by Amulius, the usurper of her father.
  • Seduced by Mars, the Roman God of War.
  • Mother to twins Romulus and Remus.

The Birth and Condemnation of Romulus and Remus

• Twins were condemned to death by Amulius.
• Ordered to be thrown into the Tiber River.
• Ria Silvia was imprisoned.
• Twins placed in a basket and set afloat on the river.

Divine Intervention

• Basket stranded on the riverbank, saved by a she-wolf.
• She-wolf nursed the twins in her cave near the Capitoline and Palatine Hills.
• Pastor Faustalis, a shepherd, found and rescued them.
  • Noticed a sacred woodpecker, a bird sacred to the Latins, present on a fig tree.
  • Raised the twins with his wife.

Growing Up

• Romulus and Remus grew into strong and daring young men.
• Known for hunting and robbing travelers.
• During a raid, Remus was captured and taken to Alba Longa.

Discovery of True Heritage

• Romulus learned of his noble ancestry from his adoptive father.
• Pneumators, their grandfather, supported Romulus in attacking Alba Longa.
• Romulus led an attack, killed Amulius, and rescued Remus.

Founding of Rome

• Returned to Alba Longa but decided to establish a new city.
• Romulus and Remus gathered men to found a city near the she-wolf’s cave.
• Disagreement on the location:
  • Romulus preferred Palatine Hill, naming the city Rome.
  • Remus preferred Aventine Hill, naming it Remora.

The Tragic Conflict

• Both started building their settlements.
• Dispute escalated when Remus overstepped Romulus’s borders.
• Romulus, in rage, attacked and killed Remus.

Legacy of Romulus

• Despite the tragic beginning, Rome thrived.
• Romulus ruled for 38 years.
• At the end of his life, Romulus was deified as the warrior god Corinius.
• Rome grew to be the most important city in the ancient world, forming a great empire.