The Founding of Rome (753 BC): The Myth That Shaped a Civilization

From myth to history: how a legend became the origin of an empire.

Introduction: Between Legend and Reality

According to Roman tradition, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC by two twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, raised by a she-wolf on the banks of the Tiber River. This account, transmitted by historians such as Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus, blends history and legend. Yet behind this myth lies a much more complex reality: the birth of a city that would become the heart of one of the greatest empires in history.

The founding of Rome was not the work of a single day, but the result of a long process of human settlement in the Latium region. Archaeological excavations on the Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills, have revealed traces of occupation dating back to the 10th century BC, well before the traditional date of 753 BC.

Historical Context: Italy Before Rome

The Peoples of Pre-Roman Italy

Before the rise of Rome, the Italian peninsula was inhabited by various peoples:

• Latins: Indo-European people who settled in Latium around the 2nd millennium BC
• Etruscans: Civilization from northern Italy, masters of metallurgy and urban planning
• Greeks: Colonies established in southern Italy and Sicily (Magna Graecia)
• Sabines: Mountain people from central Italy
• Samnites: Italic people from the Apennines

The Etruscan Influence

The Etruscans, who dominated central Italy from the 8th to the 6th century BC, played a crucial role:

• Advanced civilization: Skilled in metalworking, pottery, and architecture
• Urban development: Built cities with impressive walls and monuments
• Religious practices: Introduced divination and complex rituals
• Kings of Rome: According to tradition, Rome’s first kings were of Etruscan origin

The Etruscan influence on early Rome was considerable, particularly in:

• Architecture: Temples, roads, and drainage systems
• Religion: Adoption of Etruscan gods and rituals
• Political organization: The concept of monarchy

The Greek Colonies

Greek colonies in southern Italy (Magna Graecia) from the 8th century BC:

• Cumae (first Greek colony in Italy)
• Neapolis (modern Naples)
• Tarentum (modern Taranto)
• Syracuse (in Sicily)

These colonies brought:

• Trade networks with the entire Mediterranean
• Cultural exchanges: Philosophy, art, and architecture
• Technological knowledge: Writing, coinage, and urban planning

The Legend of Romulus and Remus

The Mythical Narrative

The most famous version of Rome’s founding comes from Roman historian Livy (59 BC - 17 AD):

1. The Twins’ Birth: Romulus and Remus were sons of the god Mars and the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia
2. Abandoned: Fearful of their potential power, they were placed in a basket on the Tiber
3. Rescued: A she-wolf (lupa) found and nursed them
4. Raised: Found by the shepherd Faustulus and raised by his wife Acca Larentia
5. Conflict: As adults, they decided to found a city but disagreed on its location
6. Fratricide: Romulus killed Remus and became the first king of Rome

Symbolism of the Myth

The legend contains several symbolic elements:

• The she-wolf: Represents the wild, untamed nature of early Rome
• The Tiber: Symbolizes the life-giving river at the heart of the city
• The Palatine: The hill where the city was founded, becoming its first nucleus
• Fratricide: Illustrates the violent origins of Roman power

Historical Interpretation

Modern historians see in this myth:

• A foundation myth: Common to many ancient civilizations
• Integration of different populations: Latins, Sabines, and Etruscans
• Legitimization of power: Romulus as the first king justifies the Roman monarchy
• Connection to the divine: Mars as the father gives Rome a divine origin

Archaeological Evidence

The Palatine Hill Excavations

Recent excavations on the Palatine Hill have revealed:

• Huts from the 8th century BC: Circular structures with thatched roofs
• Wall fragments: Dating to the mid-8th century BC
• Pottery: Local and imported (Etruscan and Greek)
• Sacred area: A shrine dedicated to the cult of the she-wolf (Lupercal)

These discoveries confirm:

• Human presence on the Palatine from at least the 10th century BC
• First permanent settlements around 750-700 BC
• Urban development beginning in the 6th century BC

The Lapis Niger

The Lapis Niger (“Black Stone”) on the Roman Forum:

• Inscription from the 6th or 5th century BC
• Oldest known Latin inscription
• Possible reference to the foundation of Rome or early kings

The Capitoline Wolf

The famous Capitoline Wolf statue:

• Etruscan or Medieval origin: Probably added in the Middle Ages
• Symbol of Rome: Kept in the Capitoline Museums
• Twins added: The figures of Romulus and Remus were added in the Renaissance

The Birth of a City

From Village to City

The transformation of Rome from a cluster of villages to a true city:

8th century BC: First settlements on the Palatine 753 BC: Traditional founding date (Romulus) 7th century BC: Etruscan kings rule Rome 6th century BC: Rome becomes a major urban center

The Seven Hills of Rome

Rome was built on seven hills, each with its significance:

Early Rome’s Institutions

Under the Etruscan kings and early Republic:

• Senate: Council of elders (patres)
• Assemblies: Popular assemblies (comitia)
• Magistrates: elected officials (consuls, praetors)
• Religion: State religion with priesthoods

The Significance of Rome’s Foundation

A Model for Other Cities

Rome’s foundation myth influenced:

• City planning: The concept of founding a city with proper rituals
• Historical writing: Livy and other historians documented the foundation
• Political ideology: The myth justified Roman expansion and power

The Legacy of the Myth

The founding myth of Rome:

• Survived the fall of the Empire: Continued to inspire throughout the Middle Ages
• Renaissance revival: Artists and writers rediscovered the myth
• Modern symbol: The she-wolf remains a symbol of Rome today

Historical Debate

For a historical foundation around 753 BC:

• Archaeological evidence supports settlement in the mid-8th century BC
• The date aligns with the beginning of Etruscan influence
• The traditional date may have been calculated by Roman scholars

Against a precise foundation date:

• Rome developed gradually from multiple settlements
• The “founding” was likely a process, not a single event
• The date 753 BC may be symbolic rather than historical

Modern Consensus

Most historians agree that:

• Settlement began on the Palatine in the 10th-8th centuries BC
• Urbanization occurred in the 7th-6th centuries BC
• 753 BC serves as a symbolic foundation date
• Rome’s greatness came from its ability to integrate different peoples and cultures

Key Figures

Timeline

Sources and Further Reading

Ancient Sources

• Livy, Ab Urbe Condita (From the Founding of the City) - Main historical source
• Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities - Greek perspective
• Plutarch, Life of Romulus - Biographical account
• Tacitus, Annals - Later historical context

Modern Sources

• Andrea Carandini, La nascita di Roma (2011) - Archaeological perspective
• Mary Beard, SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (2015)
• Adrian Goldsworthy, The Roman Army (2003)
• Jochen Bleicken, History of Roman Republic (1998)

Online Resources

• Wikipedia: Founding of Rome
• Livius.org: Rome’s Foundation
• British Museum: Rome
• Ancient History Encyclopedia: Rome

“Rome was not built in a day, but its foundation myth was.” — Roman Historian