Preview

The Mythological Accounts of the Founding of Rome

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
974 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Mythological Accounts of the Founding of Rome
The mythological accounts of the founding of Rome are:
Aeneas as Founder of Rome:
The Trojan prince Aeneas is sometimes credited with the founding of Rome as the culmination of his post-Trojan War adventures, but the version of the Roman foundation myth that is most familiar is that of Romulus, the first king of Rome.
Birth of Romulus and Remus
Romulus and Remus were twin brothers, the sons of a virgin named Rhea Silvia ( also called Ilia) and the god Mars, according to legend. The grandfather, Numitor, and the great-uncle, Amulius, who between them divided the wealth and kingdom of Alba Longa, a city founded by Aeneas’ son Ascanius, but then Amulius seized Numitor’s share and became sole ruler. To prevent retaliation by offspring of his brother, Amulius made his niece a vestal virgin. When Rhea became pregnant, her life was spared because of the special pleading of Amulius’ daughter Antho. Although she kept her life, Rhea was imprisoned.
Exposure of the Infants
Contrary to plan, the virgin Rhea was impregnated by the god Mars. When the twin boys were born, Amulius wished to have them killed, and so bid someone, perhaps Faustulus, a swineherd, expose the boys. Faustulus left the twins on the river bank where a she-wolf nursed them, and a woodpecker fed and guarded them until Faustulus took them into his care again. The two boys were well educated by Faustulus and his wife, Acca Larentia. They grew up to be strong and attractive.
"They say that his name was Faustulus; and that they were carried by him to his homestead and given to his wife Larentia to be brought up. Some are of the opinion that Larentia was called Lupa among the shepherds from her being a common prostitute, and hence an opening was afforded for the marvelous story.
Romulus and Remus Learn Their Identity
As adults, Remus found himself imprisoned, and in the presence of Numitor, who determined from his age that Remus and his twin brother could be his grandsons. Learning of Remus'

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There are many similarities that are found in between Roman and Greek Mythology. Both, Greek and Roman mythology are mostly influenced by Greeks myths and legends, then Italians, since Greek literature and myth occur before the Romans. This demonstrates why Roman myths have similar themes and myths as Greek Mythology. The twelve Olympian god/goddesses in Greek mythology are represented in Roman mythology, but with different names. Also, each god/goddess symbolize and power are similar in both mythologies. These similarities is what makes Greek and Roman mythology parallel to each other.…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thi Big Dipper

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The god Zeus hid the nymph Callisto from his wife Hera by changing her into a bear. Her son, Actas, did not know she was now a bear and while hunting one day came across Callisto. To keep Actas from accidentally killing his mother, Zeus placed them together into the sky as the Big and Little Bear (we know them better by the names Big and Little Dipper).…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Silver Donkey

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The story tells many tales and morals of bravery and confidence. The first tale the lieutenant tells to the girls was a tale about an old donkey named, Hazel who was to carry Joseph, his wife Mary and a baby yet to be born back to their hometown of Bethlehem for the census. As the new baby arrives Hazel, the donkey, soon kisses him.…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Foundations of Mythology

    • 1367 Words
    • 6 Pages

    I think that most cultures have the same beliefs about morality and that we believe a higher power exists and that beyond that the similarities end. Differences between social and cultural details are what divide’s us on virtually all…

    • 1367 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Roman mythology the Graces (Plural of Grace) are the trio of minor deities representing joy, charm, and beauty. Originally, however, the Graces were simply considered as the goddesses of fertility and fecundity, including vegetation and animal life. In Greek mythology they are known as the Charites (Plural of Charis). In some accounts, Charis was not merely the singular form of the Charities rather it was the name of a single member of this group of deities. The Graces are also called Gratiae (Plural of Gratia), Kharites (Plural of Kharis), and Charitae.…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Herakles’ journey begins from the shared birth from his mother Alcmena, father Zeus and half-brother Iphikles. Hera (Zeus’ wife) decides to take revenge because of the affair Zeus had with Alcmena for Herakles. One the morning Herakles was supposed to be born Zeus had made a previous oath stating the son of his bloodline through Pereus who was born that morning would rule Mycenae. Hera made sure Zeus swore to this and sent down the goddess of childbirth Eileithuia to slow the birthing process. A sly serving girl named Galanthis had told the goddess of childbirth that Alcmena had her twins, once Eileithuia’s guard was down and so was her spell. Alcmena bore twins and Herakles was not the first born, one was the son of Amphitryon and the other Zeus. Hera decides to take action by putting snakes in the twins’ crib in hopes to “destroy Zeus’ latest offspring” (Martin 148), while Iphikles only wailed, Herakles decided to strangle both snakes to death, identifying the true son of Zeus. Amphitryon stated, “well, that one’s not my boy” (Martin 148).…

    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Fairy Tale Conventions

    • 1627 Words
    • 7 Pages

    They married the god of the river and Lily by the river; they lived happily ever after and gave birth of many children. Those children all lived by the river and swear to guard the river for generations.…

    • 1627 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Zeus Facts

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Fact 13: His mother Rhea incited the Gigantes (a race of giants) to rebel against the Olympian gods who were victorious in the Battle of…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The initial incident occurs when Simon and Levi, two of Dinah’s oldest brothers, enter the city of Shechem and murder all of the resident men, including Dinah’s beloved husband, Shalem. Cursing her entire family, a pregnant Dinah is taken to Egypt by Shalem’s mother, Re-nefer.…

    • 5163 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt and tells his sons to retrieve it in order to survive, all except the youngest of brothers so he doesn’t act in mischievous ways. They meet their brother Joseph yet do not know his identity while Joseph knows theirs. Joseph sets them up to be condemned as spies in order to see his youngest brother to seek the truth from him and sends Judah to retrieve the youngest. Joseph weeps from the fact that his brothers do not know him.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ariadne had been in love with Theseus. Theseus had volunteered to slay the Minotaur, which broke her heart to think he would die.She spoke with Daedalus, and he gave her some yarn to guide him out. She thanked him, and gave it to Theseus. Theseus ended up slaying the minotaur, and came out from the Labyrinth thanks to the ball of yarn. Theseus took Ariadne with him back to Athens, before Minos could kill them. Theseus, however grew bored of her, and brought her to an island. They fell asleep that night and Theseus left early in the morning, before Ariadne had woken up. Days later, Ariadne was at near death and had been crying for days. She had given up everything for Theseus, who had left her to die. Dionysus saw her. Not only did he ache for her but also loved her. He went down and brought her to civilization. The two were soon married. Eventually, they had children. There were many children, but some of Dionysus’ most famous children were Priapus, Phthonus, and Deianira. Priapus was a minor rustic fertility god, and protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens, and male genetalia. Phthonus was the personification of jealousy and envy. Deianira was the second wife of Hercules. Her name means “destroyer of her husband. Deianira had killed her husband, Hercules using the poisoned Tunic of…

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Uranus The King Essay

    • 370 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Not only was Cronus the only one the youngest of their sons, but he was also the only one who had the ambitions to do so. Anyway with the help of the sickle given by Gaia, he ambushed his father and successfully became the new ruler of the world. After becoming the new ruler, he married a female titan by the name of Rhea and had his own children. The problem with all of this was the history repeats itself even in myths. Kronos happened to learn that one day, his own son would overthrow him, and as such he gained this strange habit of swallowing every son of his. Again this method would have been fool proof had it not been for the wife. Rhea absolutely loved her children, and wished to take revenge not only for them but also Uranus. So instead of presenting their youngest son, Zeus, to Cronus, she instead hid Zeus until he was old enough to fight Cronus. Which he did, and with the help of his siblings he saved, he sealed most of the titans, including their father to Tartarus, where they have been, even up till…

    • 370 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the youngest gods Cronus, replaced Uranus than married Rhea, his sister. Uranus and Rhea had children together, but they came out scary, so he slowed them whole except for Zeus because Rhea hid him. Zeus grew up and fed Cronus poison and all of his siblings that had been slowed whole…

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    he story starts with two twin boys, Castor and Pollux. They both share the same mother Leda, but they both had different fathers. Castor's father is Tyndarus, the king of Sparta, and Leda's husband. Pollux's father is the god Zeus. As such Pollux is an immortal while his brother is mortal. The twins were young, handsome and adventures. They took part in many adventures together and were well known for their livelihood and curiosity. Castor was a renowned horseman, while his brother Pollux was known for his strength. Their sister is the beautiful Hellen of Troy, whom the great Trojan war is fought over. The twins not only took part in the war together but they also helped on the quest for the Golden Fleece. But like all mortals Castor finally…

    • 199 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to popular legend, Romulus killed Remus on April 21st 753 BC to be crowned the first king of Rome. The event is still celebrated in the city today, with historical parades and re-enactments.…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays