The Founding of Rome

1
The Founding of Rome

• Fact vs. Myth

2
Aeneas

• Ancient Romans liked to trace their roots to a
  famous Trojan prince, Aeneas.
• The myth teaches that Aeneas was directed by the
  gods to travel west after Troy fell.
• Aeneas is said to have lead a few remaining
  Trojans to safety this way.

3
The Latins

• When Aeneas and his followers arrived in
  modern-day Italy they encountered a group called
  the Latins.
• The two groups intermarried and lived in harmony.

4
Rhea Silvia

• Around 800 BC, a Latin princess, Rhea Silvia, is
  said to have given birth to twins fathered by the
  god Mars.
• This princess had taken a vow as a priestess and
  was forbidden to marry or have children.
• As punishment for breaking her vow, the twins
  were taken from her and left to die.

5
The Twins

• The newborn twins, Romulus and Remus, were thrown
  into the Tiber River.
• Luckily, the babies were rescued by a she-wolf.
  The she-wolf raised them as her own.
• One form of the myth also says a woodpecker
  helped to feed the twins.

6
Rescue by Shepherd

• The she-wolf was later killed by a shepherd.
• Fortunately, the shepherd found the babies and
  took them home to his wife.

7
Romulus and Remus

• As adults, Romulus and Remus decided to build a
  city on the Tiber River.
• They fought over who should rule the city. After
  a lot of arguing, they decided to let the gods
  choose between them.
• They each stood atop a hill waiting for a sign.
  The gods sent 12 vultures over Palatine where
  Romulus stood.

8
Romulus is King

• Romulus claimed he had been chosen king.
• Remus wasnt happy with this. The brothers
  fought and Romulus killed Remus.
• Romulus became king of the new city which he
  named Rome (after himself).

9
The Historical Findings

• Archeologists know that people with iron weapons
  began invading the Mediterranean lands around
  1200 BC.
• One group, called the Latins, did live on
  Palatine.
• By 776 BC, Palatine was a farming village of
  about 1,000 people.

10
Etruscans

• A people called the Etruscans settled near
  Palatine in about 800 BC.
• By 600 BC, the Etruscans had conquered all of
  northern Italy (including the Latins).
• The Etruscans were an advanced civilization.
  Their kings ruled Rome for more than 200 years.