The Enigmatic Origins of Rome: Myths and Histories Explored
Written on
Chapter 1: The Legendary Beginnings of Rome
The origins of the Eternal City have sparked debates among scholars from various disciplines. Today, we possess a wealth of knowledge regarding this ancient empire’s history. What led to the establishment of Rome? This question will be addressed in the following sections.
It is undeniable that the Mediterranean civilization provided the groundwork for contemporary culture, art, architecture, and legal systems. Ancient Rome's contributions significantly impacted global history. One of the most notable examples is the renowned Roman roads, which played a crucial role in the economic growth of the regions they connected. Had it not been for the Eternal City, the world we know today might look remarkably different. Thus, it is worthwhile to delve deeper into the annals of Roman history.
Section 1.1: The Founding Myth
According to ancient legend, the city of Alba Longa was established by Ascanius. This city saw a succession of rulers, the last of whom was Prokas, who had two sons, Numitor and Amulius. While Numitor ascended to the throne, Amulius was not content with his position. He usurped power, imprisoning his brother and seeking to eliminate any threats to his reign by killing Numitor's son and forcing his daughter, Rea Silvia, into the priesthood. As a vestal virgin, she was forbidden to bear children.
However, fate intervened when Rea Silvia was assaulted by Mars, leading to her bearing twin sons, Romulus and Remus. Upon discovering her pregnancy, Amulius condemned her to starvation and ordered the twins to be drowned in the Tiber. Yet, the boys were placed in a wicker basket, which fortuitously lodged against a tree trunk and floated to safety on the Palatine Hill.
Their cries attracted a she-wolf, who nurtured them with her milk. Eventually, a shepherd named Faustulus discovered the boys and chose to raise them as his own.
As adults, Remus and Romulus attended the Lupercal festival in Alba. On their return, they encountered a skirmish between Numitor’s and Amulius's shepherds. The brothers sided with Numitor’s men but faced challenges. Remus was captured and brought before Amulius, who recognized him and sought to unite forces with Romulus to overthrow the tyrant. With their grandfather's support, they succeeded in reclaiming the throne for Numitor.
Following the defeat of Amulius, Numitor advised the brothers to establish their own city. They selected a location where they had miraculously survived. However, a dispute arose over the city’s name, which they decided to resolve through divine signs. Remus counted six vultures on Aventine Hill, while Romulus saw twelve on Palatine Hill. With this, Romulus marked the city’s boundaries, but when Remus crossed them, Romulus killed him, and thus the city was named Rome. Romulus established a Senate and sought to bolster the city's population by creating a sanctuary for all, even those who were outlaws. To attract women, he orchestrated games, leading to the abduction of the Sabine women.
The ensuing conflict with the Sabines was ultimately quelled by the women, who called for peace and unity. Romulus vanished in a fog and was deified as Quirinus, while his wife, Hersilia, became the goddess Hora. Following Romulus, Rome was governed by six kings until the republic emerged.
This video, "How was Rome founded? - History of the Roman Empire - Part 1," delves into the various theories and legends surrounding the establishment of Rome.
Section 1.2: Myths Versus Historical Facts
Myths and legends are integral to every culture's heritage. The founding tale of Rome, while captivating, has muddled historical timelines, as the narrative contains more legends than verified events. Systematic analysis of Rome's origins began during the republic's decline, but reliable written records were scarce due to the many disasters that plagued Rome. Historians, eager to assert noble lineages, often relied on literary traditions recorded during Octavian Augustus's reign, resulting in a blend of fact and fiction over time.
Chapter 2: The Chronological Dilemmas
Roman historians endeavored to pinpoint the founding date of the city and significant events in its history, but differing opinions emerged. Quintus Fabius Pictor, the earliest known Roman historian, suggested the city was founded around 729 or 728 BC. Lucius Cynsius Alimentus, inspired by Fabius, proposed a founding date of 748 or 747 BC. Meanwhile, Titus Pomponius Atticus, in his "Book of Annals," claimed Rome was established in 753 BC, a date that Terentius Varron also endorsed, asserting that an astrologer confirmed Romulus's birth year. This date became the official founding year under Octavian Augustus, perpetuated by subsequent historians.
What we understand today suggests that Rome's origins might predate these traditional accounts. Archaeological findings on the Palatine Hill suggest settlements as early as 730 BC, while other researchers argue for an even earlier establishment around the 9th century BC. Thus, consensus remains elusive within the scholarly community regarding Rome's exact founding.
How did the founding of Rome transpire?
Evidence indicates that the area destined to become Rome was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age, circa the 16th century BC. By the Iron Age, Latin tribes settled in the Lazio plain, forming city-states around the mid-8th century BC. The Palatine Hill saw the establishment of the city named Roma. Rome soon merged with a Sabine settlement, and by the 7th century BC, it dominated the left bank of the Tiber, monopolizing the salt trade and emerging as a powerful Latin city-state ruled by a king and a Senate.
The monarchy met its end around 509 BC, triggered by the invasion of Lars Porsenna, an Etruscan king, marking the dawn of the Roman republic. The imperial era began in 27 BC and continued until 476 AD.
The second video, "How Rome Forged an Epic Empire | Engineering an Empire | Full Episode," explores the monumental achievements and engineering marvels that characterized Rome's expansion.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, please leave a comment, share your thoughts, or consider leaving a tip to support my work. Your encouragement inspires me to continue sharing intriguing content. Follow me for daily updates on new articles! Thank you!