Foundation of Rome
753 BCE
Mytho-historical foundation of the city by Romulus.
Historical Context
8th century BCE Italy was dominated by Etruscan civilization in the north and Greek colonies in the south. Latium was populated only by scattered pastoral tribes.
The Event
According to legend, twins Romulus and Remus, saved by a she-wolf, founded the city on the Palatine Hill in 753 BCE. Romulus drew the pomerium (sacred boundary) and killed his brother Remus for mockingly crossing it.
Key Figures
Romulus (mythical first king), Remus, Faustulus (savior shepherd), King Numitor of Alba Longa.
Aftermath
The creation of the Roman Kingdom unified the Tiber hills. It was the spark that led to the Republic and subsequently the vastest empire of Western antiquity.
Legacy & Culture
The founding myth justified Roman imperialism and its martial dimension (sons of Mars). The Capitoline Wolf remains the eternal symbol of the city.
Historiography
Modern historians debate the factual basis. Excavations by Andrea Carandini revealed a mid-8th century BCE wall on the Palatine, lending archaeological credence to the myth.
Sources and References
Fouilles du Palatin par Andrea Carandini (Découverte du mur romuléen)
Consulter l'archive officielle ↗Denys d'Halicarnasse, Antiquités romaines (Livre I)