Founding of Rome
The twins Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin, a descendant of Aeneas and of Mars (Ares), god of war. At the moment of their birth, their mother’s wicked uncle, Amulius (who had deposed their grandfather) kills her and throws the infants into the river Tiber. Fortunately, when they are carried to the bank, a she-wolf protects them, until Faustulus, a shepherd of the old king, finds them. As the boys grow up, Faustulus tells them the story; they then kill Amulius and restore their grandfather to the throne. They then decide to build a city beside the Tiber. Both climb a hill and seek omens from the gods to decide who shall rule it. Romulus prevails, having seen twelve vultures to Remus’s six, and begins to trace a furrow to mark the city’s boundary. Remus then begins to mock him and leaps over the furrow, whereupon Romulus kills him.
In order to populate the city, Romulus turns it into a sanctuary city that soon fills with outlaws, who carry off their wives from the neighbouring tribe of the Sabines. Once Rome is established, Mars takes Romulus away in his chariot and makes him a god.