LA HISTORIA DE ROMA: LA LEYENDA DE RÓMULO Y REMO | INFONIMADOS

Summary

The video humorously retells the legendary founding of Rome, focusing on the story of twins Rómulo and Remo. Born to the vestal virgin Silvia and the god Mars, they survive an assassination attempt and are raised by a she-wolf. After helping restore their grandfather to the throne, they decide to found their own city. A dispute over where to build the city leads to Rómulo's victory, but in the process, he kills Remo. The video also covers the famous 'Rape of the Sabines,' the eventual rise of Rome under Rómulo's rule, and his mysterious disappearance, leading to his deification as Quirinus.

Takeaways

• 😀 Romulus and Remus were twins born to the Vestal Virgin Silvia, after the god Mars impregnated her. They were abandoned by their uncle Amulius, who had seized the throne of their grandfather, King Numitor.
• 😀 Romulus and Remus were placed in a basket and set adrift in the Tiber River, only to be saved and suckled by a she-wolf named Luperca.
• 😀 The twins grew up and got involved in a conflict, leading to Remus's capture and the revelation that they were the grandsons of King Numitor.
• 😀 Romulus and Remus helped their grandfather reclaim the throne, defeating their uncle Amulius.
• 😀 The twins decided to found their own city but disagreed on the location. Romulus won by seeing more vultures, and thus, founded Rome on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC.
• 😀 To populate Rome, Romulus invited criminals, exiles, and slaves, while also establishing laws, customs, and the Senate with patricians and plebeians.
• 😀 Rome's founding lacked women, so Romulus organized the 'Rape of the Sabines,' where Roman men abducted women from neighboring cities during games, leading to conflict with the Sabines.
• 😀 The Sabine women, after initially being abducted, intervened to prevent the fighting between their fathers and husbands, resulting in peace and the merging of the two peoples.
• 😀 Romulus and Titus Tatius, the Sabine king, shared power in a diarchy, but after Titus's assassination, Romulus became the sole ruler of Rome.
• 😀 Romulus expanded Rome by forming alliances and conquering other cities, contributing to its growth as a prominent power in the region.
• 😀 At age 54, Romulus mysteriously disappeared after a storm and was later deified as the god Quirinus, despite some claiming he was assassinated by senators. This marked the beginning of Rome's path to becoming a powerful empire.

Q & A

Who were Romulus and Remus and what was their origin story?

Romulus and Remus were twin brothers in Roman mythology, born to the priestess Silvia and the god of war, Mars (or Ares). Their uncle, Amulius, overthrew their grandfather, Numitor, and attempted to kill the twins. However, they survived, being abandoned in a basket and later raised by a she-wolf named Luperca before being adopted by a shepherd.

What was the significance of the wolves in the Romulus and Remus legend?

In the legend, a she-wolf named Luperca cared for Romulus and Remus after they were abandoned. The wolf symbolizes the protection and nurturing of the twins, highlighting the mythical and supernatural aspects of their upbringing.

How did Romulus and Remus come to know their true identity?

Romulus and Remus discovered their true identity when they were imprisoned after getting involved in a dispute. They were taken to Numitor, their grandfather, who recognized them as his grandsons. This revelation led them to help Numitor reclaim his throne.

What led to the conflict between Romulus and Remus?

The conflict arose when Romulus and Remus wanted to found their own cities, with Romulus preferring the Palatine Hill and Remus the Aventine Hill. They could not decide who would have the better location, so they agreed that the one who saw more vultures would win. Romulus won, but this led to Remus's death when he mocked Romulus’s wall.

How did Romulus establish Rome after the death of Remus?

After killing Remus, Romulus continued to build Rome on the Palatine Hill. He became its first king and established the city on April 21, 753 BC. Despite the lack of archaeological proof, the myth suggests a divine aspect to Romulus's reign and the founding of Rome.

What role did the Sabine women play in the early history of Rome?

The Sabine women were abducted during a festival organized by Romulus. He invited neighboring tribes under false pretenses and, once there, the Romans abducted the women to secure wives for the city. This event, known as the 'Rape of the Sabine Women,' led to conflict, but ultimately the women reconciled both sides, bringing about a peaceful union between the Romans and Sabines.

How did Romulus's reign end?

Romulus's reign ended when he disappeared during a storm while reviewing his army at the age of 54. The legend suggests that he was taken up into the heavens and became a god, but some also believe he was assassinated by Roman senators due to growing dissatisfaction with his rule.

What is the significance of the 'Rape of the Sabine Women' in Roman history?

The 'Rape of the Sabine Women' is a foundational myth that represents the early growth of Rome and its need for population expansion. The abduction of the women was a violent yet significant act in Roman history, which eventually led to the integration of the Sabines into Roman society and the establishment of a lasting peace.

What role did Romulus play in the political and social structure of early Rome?

Romulus established the foundational political and social systems of Rome, including the creation of laws, the division of society into patricians (aristocrats) and plebeians (commoners), and the formation of the Senate. His actions helped transform Rome from a small settlement into a structured society.

How does the legend of Romulus and Remus reflect Roman cultural values?

The legend reflects Roman values such as bravery, divine destiny, and the importance of both war and peace. It emphasizes the roles of the gods in Roman life, the significance of family, and the belief in the heroic nature of Rome’s founding. Additionally, it illustrates the integration of conquered peoples, such as the Sabines, into Roman society.