The Founding of Rome: The Roman Myth of Romulus and Remus Animated

Summary

The transcript narrates the legendary founding of Rome, starting with Aeneas's journey from Troy to Italy and the establishment of Lavinium. His son, Ascanius, founds Alba Longa, which falls under the tyrannical rule of Amulius. After the birth of twin brothers Romulus and Remus, they are abandoned but raised by a she-wolf. As they grow, they overthrow Amulius and seek to found their own city. Their rivalry leads to tragedy when Romulus kills Remus. He establishes Rome, attracts women through abduction, and ultimately unites with the Sabines. Romulus's ascension to the heavens marks the divine endorsement of Rome's greatness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aeneas leads the surviving Trojans to Italy after the fall of Troy and marries Lavinia.
• 🏛️ Aeneas establishes a new city named Lavinia in honor of his wife.
• 👶 Aeneas and Lavinia have a son named Ascanius, who later founds the city of Alba Longa.
• 👑 The Silvian family rules Alba Longa until King Procas's sons, Numa Pompilius and Amulius, take the throne.
• 🔪 Amulius usurps the throne from Numa, kills his sons, and forces Rhea Silvia to become a Vestal Virgin.
• ⚔️ Rhea Silvia bears twin sons, Romulus and Remus, with Mars, despite her vows.
• 🛶 Romulus and Remus are abandoned but saved by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd named Faustulus.
• 👊 The brothers grow up to be strong and respected, eventually rescuing Remus from Amulius's captivity.
• 🏙️ After overthrowing Amulius, Romulus and Remus seek to found their own city, leading to a tragic dispute.
• 💔 The conflict between Romulus and Remus culminates in Romulus killing Remus, making him the sole ruler of Rome.
• 🎉 Romulus abducts women from neighboring tribes during a festival, leading to conflict with the Sabines.
• ⚔️ A battle ensues between the Romans and the Sabines, resulting in peace through the intervention of the Sabine women.
• 🌩️ Romulus mysteriously disappears in a storm, and the senators proclaim him a god, marking his legacy in Rome.

Q & A

What led Aeneas to settle in Italy?

Aeneas settled in Italy after leading the Trojan people through many wanderings following the sack of Troy.

Who was Ascanius and what did he do?

Ascanius was the son of Aeneas. When he came of age, he desired to found a new city, which he named Alba Longa.

How did Amulius usurp the throne of Alba Longa?

Amulius, motivated by greed, overthrew his brother Numa Tor, who was the rightful heir, and took the throne for himself.

What was Rhea Silvia's fate after becoming a Vestal Virgin?

Rhea Silvia was condemned to live as a virgin in service to the goddess Vesta, but she was impregnated by Mars and gave birth to twin boys.

What happened to Romulus and Remus after their birth?

After being set adrift in a reed basket, they were found by a she-wolf, who suckled them until a shepherd named Faustulus discovered them.

How did Romulus and Remus prove their strength and bravery?

They helped their foster father, hunted game, practiced with weapons, and defended the weak against robbers, earning respect in the region.

What was the cause of the conflict between Romulus and Remus?

The conflict arose over the founding of a city and which hill to build it on, leading to a quarrel about the signs from the gods regarding augury.

How did Romulus become the sole ruler of the new city?

Romulus killed Remus during their argument over the interpretation of augury, thus becoming the sole ruler of the new kingdom.

What solution did Romulus find for the shortage of women in Rome?

Romulus organized the abduction of women from neighboring cities during a festival, asserting that the Romans had the right to marry and have children.

How did the conflict with the Sabines resolve?

The conflict ended when the Sabine women intervened between the combatants, leading to a truce and the incorporation of the Sabine territories into Rome.