Ancient Rome was a society of power in authority and myth. Folk religion and government seeped into every part of Roman life. Therefore, their founding myths incorporated each of these aspects of their lives. Two founding myths shaped Roman society, both directly and indirectly. These two tales, the story of Romulus and Remus and the Epic of Aeneas formed Rome at different times in diverse ways. Nevertheless, both made their mark on Rome.
Roman citizens needed to have faith in their leaders. Naturally, citizens believed that their founders had many supernatural influences. They thought that Rome was founded by two brothers named Romulus and Remus. These twin boys were of divine birth, their father was Mars, the god of war, and their mother was Rhea Silvia, daughter of the king of Alba Longa. Their strength as leaders came from emotional tragedy. As is typical with most myths, they were abandoned at birth. Infant Romulus and Remus were adopted by a female wolf, and this aspect of the story adds to its lack of foundation in reality. They were nursed by the she-wolf until a shepherd, Faustulus, took them. The twins grew up, and henceforth overthrew their great-uncle, Amulius, who had usurped the throne of Alba Longa years earlier. Supposedly, the two used the power of the throne to begin conquering the surrounding …show more content…
One interesting factor of this story is that it complements Romulus and Remus’s tale, for it occurred nearly 400 years earlier. Aeneas was a Trojan soldier who survived the Trojan war. He had many adventures in trying to return home, one such example being betraying the queen of Carthage. Finally, he settled in Italy and his son, Iulus, whom he brought with him, created the city of Alba Longa. Alba Longa would become Romulus and Remus’s birthplace. This story, although written much later, provided a rationale for many aspects of Roman History, including their long-standing feud with
Roman citizens needed to have faith in their leaders. Naturally, citizens believed that their founders had many supernatural influences. They thought that Rome was founded by two brothers named Romulus and Remus. These twin boys were of divine birth, their father was Mars, the god of war, and their mother was Rhea Silvia, daughter of the king of Alba Longa. Their strength as leaders came from emotional tragedy. As is typical with most myths, they were abandoned at birth. Infant Romulus and Remus were adopted by a female wolf, and this aspect of the story adds to its lack of foundation in reality. They were nursed by the she-wolf until a shepherd, Faustulus, took them. The twins grew up, and henceforth overthrew their great-uncle, Amulius, who had usurped the throne of Alba Longa years earlier. Supposedly, the two used the power of the throne to begin conquering the surrounding …show more content…
One interesting factor of this story is that it complements Romulus and Remus’s tale, for it occurred nearly 400 years earlier. Aeneas was a Trojan soldier who survived the Trojan war. He had many adventures in trying to return home, one such example being betraying the queen of Carthage. Finally, he settled in Italy and his son, Iulus, whom he brought with him, created the city of Alba Longa. Alba Longa would become Romulus and Remus’s birthplace. This story, although written much later, provided a rationale for many aspects of Roman History, including their long-standing feud with