Romulus and Remus: The Myth Behind Rome’s Birth, Brotherhood, and Eternal Power

A She-Wolf, an Empire, and Fratricide! And at the end, you'll discover why Romulus vanished — rather than died...

The Legend of Romulus and Remus

The myth of Romulus and Remus emerged during the early Roman Republic and is recounted in the works of Livy, Plutarch, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. It tells the tale of twin brothers — sons of Mars — who were raised by shepherds and went on to found Rome, one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Their story is one of power struggles, loyalty, rivalry, and the birth of Roman civilization.

Divine Descent and Royal Lineage

According to legend, in the city of Alba Longa, King Numitor, a descendant of the Trojan hero Aeneas, was overthrown by his brother Amulius. To eliminate any potential heirs, Amulius forced Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal Virgin — a priestess sworn to chastity.

Yet Rhea became pregnant and claimed Mars, the god of war, was the father of her twins. Enraged, Amulius ordered the infants to be thrown into the Tiber River. But the river had flooded, and their basket was gently carried to the bank — where, according to myth, a she-wolf nursed the boys.

This image — a she-wolf suckling two infants — became an enduring symbol of Rome.

Raised by a Shepherd in the Wild

After being nursed by the she-wolf, the infants were discovered by a shepherd named Faustulus, who, along with his wife Larentia, raised them without revealing their royal origins.

The boys grew strong, free-spirited, and skilled in hunting, combat, and leadership. They quickly rose to become leaders among the local shepherds and eventually led a rebellion against Amulius’s tyranny.

They did not yet know who they truly were — but fate had destined them for greatness.

Return to Alba Longa: Justice Restored

As young men, Remus was captured and brought before King Amulius. Upon learning this, Romulus set out to rescue his brother. In the process, Faustulus confessed the truth — they were sons of Rhea Silvia.

Together with their grandfather Numitor, the brothers led a revolt, killed Amulius, and restored Numitor to the throne. But instead of remaining in Alba Longa, the twins chose to found a new city — one with a new destiny.

They returned to the spot where the she-wolf had found them — near the Palatine Hill.

A Dispute Over Omens and Destiny

The brothers agreed to found a city — but quarreled over who would rule it and on which hill it should be built: Aventine or Palatine.

To resolve the dispute, they turned to augury — the ancient Roman practice of interpreting omens through the flight of birds. Remus saw six birds first, but Romulus saw twelve. A dispute broke out: who was favored — the first to see, or the one who saw more?

This quarrel would prove fatal.

Fratricide: The Death of Remus

Romulus, convinced he was chosen by the gods, began building the city walls. In defiance, Remus mocked him by jumping over the walls — and Romulus killed him. According to Livy, Romulus declared:

“So shall perish whoever dares to cross the walls of my city!”

This act became a symbol of sacrifice and the sanctity of Roman boundaries. Romulus did not rejoice in his victory — but his will became law. He completed the city's construction and named it Rome, after himself.

The Reign of Romulus: Rome’s First King

Romulus became Rome’s first king. He founded the Senate, divided the population into patricians and plebeians, and offered asylum to outcasts, fugitives, and slaves — anyone seeking a new life.

To provide wives for the city's men, Romulus organized the Consualia Festival and orchestrated the abduction of the Sabine women — an event that led to war but eventually unified the Sabines and Romans, strengthening the city.

Romulus ruled with authority, vision — and often with severity. He established laws, military structure, and administration — the pillars of a state that would endure for centuries.

The Disappearance of Romulus: Not Death, but Deification

One day, while reviewing his army, a storm descended from the heavens. When it cleared — Romulus was gone. The Romans believed he had been taken by the gods.

A man named Proculus Julius later claimed that Romulus appeared to him in a vision, declaring:

“I am Quirinus, a god. From now on, I shall watch over Rome from above.”

Thus Romulus became not only Rome’s founder and first king, but also its divine protector. His story did not end in death, but in ascension.

The Meaning Behind the Myth

The legend of Romulus and Remus is not just about two brothers — it’s about the birth of an idea: the idea of Rome itself — its greatness, sacrifice, order, and divine mission. The myth helped shape Roman identity, justify authority, social order, and even military conquest.

The image of the she-wolf with the twins became an iconic emblem of Rome — appearing in art, architecture, coins, and state seals. It still adorns the Capitoline Hill in Rome today.

This myth lives on — because it speaks not just of the past, but of a vision that outlasted time.