Why Romulus killed Remus: The violent murder at the dawn of Rome's history

The story of the founding of Rome dates back to the 8th century BCE, a time when the Italian peninsula was a patchwork of emerging settlements and cultures.

The landscape of central Italy during this era was defined  by the struggles between various tribes such as the Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines, each carving out territories and establishing settlements that would lay the foundations for future city-states, including Rome.

The traditional date for the founding of Rome, April 21, 753 BCE, is derived from historical sources, notably the Roman historian Livy and the calculations of Varro.

While direct evidence of the twins' existence remains elusive, excavations and scholarly research provide a context that supports the existence of early Roman settlement during this period.

Archaeological findings on the Palatine Hill, where Romulus is said to have founded the city, reveal evidence of habitation dating back to the 8th century BCE.

These include remnants of huts and fortifications that align with the traditional timeline of Rome's foundation.

Such discoveries suggest that, regardless of the veracity of the mythological narrative, there was indeed significant settlement activity in the area that would become Rome. 

The saga of Romulus and Remus begins with their grandfather, King Numitor of Alba Longa, who was deposed by his brother Amulius.

To secure his throne, Amulius ordered the death of Numitor's male heirs and forced his niece, Rhea Silvia, into vestal virginity to prevent any claims to the throne through her offspring.

However, the god Mars, captivated by Rhea Silvia's beauty, fathered Romulus and Remus with her.

When Amulius learned of their birth, he ordered the infants to be cast into the Tiber River, hoping to rid himself of these threats to his rule.

Defying Amulius's orders, the river carried the twins to safety, and they were discovered by a she-wolf, who, moved by their plight, suckled them until they were found by the shepherd Faustulus.

Faustulus and his wife, Acca Larentia, raised the twins as their own, instilling in them virtues of courage and leadership.

Their lives took a significant turn when they became entangled in a dispute between shepherds of Numitor and those of Amulius.

During this conflict, Remus was captured and taken to Alba Longa, where Numitor, upon hearing Remus's story, realized his kinship with the young man.

Meanwhile, Romulus rallied a band of shepherds to rescue his brother, leading to a sequence of events that unveiled their true identities and led to the overthrow of Amulius, restoring Numitor to the throne.

Following their grandfather's restoration, Romulus and Remus set out to establish a city of their own.

They chose the site where the she-wolf had nursed them, near the banks of the Tiber.

Following their decision to establish a new city, the brothers sought divine approval through the practice of augury, looking to the flight patterns of birds as omens.

Romulus stood on the Palatine Hill, while Remus took his position on the Aventine Hill.

The omens favored Romulus, granting him the divine right to name and rule the new city.

Tensions escalated over where the city would be founded and who would have the honor of ruling it.

Romulus began to plow the boundaries of his future city, a sacred act that marked the physical and spiritual perimeter of Rome.

In a defiant act, Remus crossed the freshly plowed boundary, mocking his brother's claim.

This breach, whether seen as a mere jest or a grave insult, ignited Romulus's fury.

The exact circumstances of Remus's death remain obscured by time and myth.

Some accounts suggest that Romulus himself struck the fatal blow, while others claim that it was one of Romulus's supporters, acting in the heat of the moment.

Regardless of the perpetrator, Remus's death is a pivotal and poignant moment in Rome's foundational myth.

The act of fratricide casts a long shadow over Romulus's legacy, suggesting that Rome's origins are irrevocably tied to an act of violence against kin. 

The myth of Romulus and Remus played a pivotal role in shaping Roman identity and the civic virtues that defined the Roman way of life.

This foundational story served as a powerful narrative tool that linked the city's inhabitants to a divine destiny while providing a model of the virtues and values that were esteemed by Roman society.

The deification of Romulus as Quirinus, a god of the Roman state, underscored the belief in Rome's divine favor and mandate.

It reinforced the idea that the city's founding and its continued success were part of a divinely ordained plan.

The worship of Romulus not only honored the city's mythical founder but also served as a constant reminder of the virtues he embodied—strength, leadership, and a commitment to the welfare of the state.

These attributes were celebrated annually in the festival of the Parilia, which commemorated the founding of Rome and reinforced the communal bonds among its citizens.

However, the fratricide of Remus by Romulus introduced a more complex layer to the myth, reflecting the Romans' awareness of the moral ambiguities and costs associated with power and conquest.

This aspect of the story allowed for a nuanced understanding of leadership and the sacrifices required for the greater good of the state, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and discord.

Even with its problematic complexities, he myth of Romulus and Remus was used as a foundational narrative that instilled a sense of pride and collective identity among the Roman populace.

It was a story that every Roman knew, a tale that was depicted in art, celebrated in festivals, and referenced by poets and politicians alike.

The myth not only connected Romans to their divine origins but also provided a shared history that united the diverse peoples within the empire.