Romulus and Remus, << ROM yuh luhs and REE muhs, >> in Roman mythology, were twin brothers who founded the city of Rome. The Romans considered Romulus their first king.
According to tradition, Romulus and Remus were born in the ancient Italian city of Alba Longa. King Numitor ruled Alba Longa until Amulius, his younger brother, deposed him. Amulius killed Numitor’s sons and forced Rhea Silvia, Numitor’s daughter, to become a Vestal Virgin. Vestal Virgins were priestesses who were required by law to remain virgins. Amulius hoped that Rhea Silvia’s being a Vestal Virgin would prevent her from bearing children who might threaten his rule. But the god Mars seduced Rhea Silvia, and she gave birth to Romulus and Remus. Amulius had Rhea Silvia executed and ordered the babies placed in a basket and thrown into the Tiber River.
After floating downstream, the twins were washed ashore. A female wolf found the infants and nursed them. Romulus, Remus, and the wolf became popular subjects for Roman artists. Several ancient statues show the babies with their animal protector.
A shepherd named Faustulus discovered Romulus and Remus. Faustulus and his wife raised the boys as their own children. After the twins became young men, they learned their true identity. They overthrew Amulius, killed him, and restored Numitor to the throne.
Soon, Romulus and Remus set out to found their own city. However, the brothers quarreled over the site where the city should be built. To settle the argument, they agreed that the one who saw the largest number of vultures in flight should choose the site. Romulus claimed he saw 12 vultures, which he declared was a sign from the gods that his location was the proper one. Remus, who saw only 6 vultures, thought his brother had cheated. After Romulus began to build a wall around his chosen site, Remus leaped over the ditch that was to hold the foundation of the wall. As he did so, he mocked Romulus. For this act of disloyalty, Remus was killed, either by Romulus himself or by one of Romulus’ followers. Romulus then became the sole ruler of the city, which he named Rome for himself.
Rome prospered, but only men lived there. To provide wives for his subjects, Romulus had women kidnapped from the neighboring Sabine people (see Sabines). Romulus was a wise and popular ruler and a fine military leader. He expanded Rome until it became the most powerful city in its region.
After a long reign, Romulus disappeared mysteriously during a storm. According to a later myth, he became the god Quirinus.
