Birth and Abandonment:
- Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin, and Mars, the Roman god of war.
- Rhea Silvia was forced to become a Vestal Virgin, but Mars visited her in her dreams, impregnating her.
- When the twins were born, Rhea Silvia was accused of breaking the vow of chastity, and the king of Alba Longa, Amulius, ordered the twins to be thrown into the Tiber River to die.
Survival and Upbringing:
- The basket carrying Romulus and Remus floated downstream and eventually landed on the banks of the Tiber near a fig tree known as the Ficus Ruminalis.
- A she-wolf (lupa) found them, suckled, and raised them in her den.
Founding of Rome:
- When the twins grew older, they were found by a shepherd named Faustulus, who took them home and became their adoptive father.
- Romulus and Remus learned about their royal heritage and decided to found a city.
- They consulted augurs (priests who interpreted divine signs) to determine the best location. Romulus read a favorable omen, but Remus received an unfavorable sign.
- This disagreement led to a quarrel, and Romulus killed Remus. Some versions say that Remus jumped over the new city walls in mockery, prompting Romulus to strike him down.
Naming Rome:
- After Remus's death, Romulus named the city "Rome" (Roma) after himself and declared himself its first king.
- The date traditionally given for the founding of Rome is April 21, 753 BC.
Later Additions:
- Over the centuries, additional details and versions of the story developed, including the myth of Aeneas, the Trojan hero who came to Italy and became the ancestor of Romulus and Remus.
Significance:
- The legend of Romulus and Remus is important as a foundation myth of Rome, symbolizing the city's origins and its association with divine providence and the will of the gods.
- It also highlights themes of conflict, death, and the birth and growth of civilization.