Rome, the Etruscans, & myth

Posted by Robin Fowler Apr 2, 2006

The true founding and subsequent rise to immense power of the city of Rome is something of an historical mystery. Scholars sort of agree that the region was likely settled by Latins around 1000 B.C.

It was the Etruscans that had settled in the surrounding areas by sometime around 650 B.C., making their way toward Latium by crossing the Tiber River. Putting down stakes in several settlements in the area, it is thought that the people in this area, around the Palatine Hill (one the 7 hills of Rome) unified, either for agricultural gain or as defense of the oncoming Etruscan kings hungry to conquer.

But what of the time between 1000 and 650 B.C.? Mythology conveniently fills in the gaps that history left wide open. He we find a tale of mythological kings that were created to explain the lull in Roman history for a few hundred years. Then we find the tale of Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome.

As infants, they were left to float on the River Tiber by an enraged King whose mother had broken the sacred law of chastity of the Vestal Virgins (it was actually the god Mars, who had astoundingly impregnated her!). They were rescued by a she-wolf and suckled until saved by a shepherd, and raised as his own children. When the twins grew up, they were told their true story, and they decided to found a city where they had been rescued by the wolf.

Omens told them to establish the city on the Palatine Hill, and that Romulus should be the king of the new city...Rome. The date was April 21, 753 B.C. (the official start of the Roman calendar).

As Remus was marking the city's borders with his plough, Romulus took offense for some reason, and began taunting his brother. He then grew angry, and murdered Remus.

Later, Romulus realized that his small city lacked a female presence, and decided to throw a festival to which he invited the Sabines. Rather than showing hospitality, he kidnapped 600 of the Sabine women, and kept them for his new city of Rome.