romulus

Romulus is the legendary founder of Rome in ancient Roman mythology. According to the tale, he and his twin brother Remus were sons of Mars and Rhea Silvia. They were abandoned and suckled by a she-wolf before being raised by a shepherd. As adults, they agreed to found a city on the site of the Palatine Hill, but a dispute over where to place the walls led Romulus to kill Remus. Romulus then became the founder and first king of Rome, and the city took its name from him. He is credited with establishing Rome’s early institutions, including the senate and the rule of law, and with founding a number of temples and religious practices.

Historical reliability: The Romulus narrative appears in later Roman authors such as Livy and Plutarch. It blends myth and history, and modern scholars view it as a foundational legend rather than a strictly factual account. The etymology of the name Romulus is uncertain; some scholars connect it to Roma, while others propose different explanations.

Death and deification: After his reign, Romulus was said to have disappeared in a storm or to have been abducted by the gods; in some traditions, he was deified as Quirinus, a god associated with the Roman state. His figure remained central to Roman identity and memory.

Modern usage and culture: Romulus appears in literature, art, and media as a symbol of Rome’s origins. The name is used for people and fictional characters, and a 2020 Italian television series Romulus dramatizes the founding of the city.

In astronomy: Romulus is the name given to one of the moons of the asteroid 87 Sylvia, paired with Remus. The names reflect the myth of the twins who founded Rome.