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Chapter Twenty-Three Lecture One Legends of Early Rome Legends of Early Rome • Venus the mother of Aeneas, the ancestor of the Roman people • But Mars also was a progenitor – Through Romulus and Remus – Presided over war, a constant companion of Rome Legends of the Roman Monarchy Romulus and Remus Romulus and Remus • Aeneas founds Lavinium (about 1200 BC) • Iulus, his son, founds Alba Longa • There follows a secession of kings – 450 • Romulus and Remus found Rome (about 750 BC) • Recounted up by the historian Livy (Ab Urbe Condita) Romulus and Remus • King Proca – Sons: Numitor and Amulius • Numitor, the heir, driven into exile by brother • Amulius kills all Numitor’s sons and forces his daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal virgin Romulus and Remus • Rhea Silva gives birth to twins by Mars, she said • She’s imprisoned and the boys thrown into the Tiber in a basket • Ficus Ruminalis – Romular • The she-wolf • Faustulus Romulus and Remus • Original myth or consciously modeled after Greek myths • Has many Latin words in the story • But like other abandoned heroes and twins in Greek and other earlier myths – Mother imprisoned like Danaë – Conflicts between brothers etc. Romulus and Remus • Twins grow up hunting, as per usual • Remus captured as a bandit and brought to Numitor • The two unite and kill Amulius • The two found different towns • Later they quarrel and Romulus kills Remus – Hence the settlement is called “Rome” Rape of the Sabine Women Rape of the Sabine Women • Women of nearby city of the Sabines kidnapped at a festival at Rome • They are mollified by assurances that they will be treated as respectable wives • Perhaps a reflection of historical reality of exchange of women? Titus Tatius, Tarpeia, the Death of Romulus Titus Tatius, Tarpeia, the Death of Romulus • King of the Sabines, Titus Tatius, attacks Rome • Rome nearly betrayed by Tarpeia – Later, the Tarpeian Rock • The Sabine women stop the final battle • Romulus “disappears” in a storm Becoming a God at Rome Becoming a God at Rome • Apotheosis of Romulus sets pattern for the cult of Roman emperors later – So also do the myths of Hercules and the Dioscuri • E.g., Caesar and Augustus, like other heroes, were descended from a god, Venus • Became “divine” after a vote of the Senate Becoming a God at Rome • Less power than an Olympian • Before he died and was declared divine, his “cult” was to his genius – numen that dwelled in him • Became more common and brazen after Caesar and Augustus – Not all were deified Becoming a God at Rome • The imperial cult provided political stability and unity • Refusal to participate was considered treasonous – Early Christians and some Jews opposed all aspects of it Horatii and the Curatii Horatii and the Curatii • • • • Rome founded in 753 B.C. Four Romano-Sabine kings Three Etruscan kings The combat between the three Horatii (Roman) and the three Curatii (Alba Longa) – The surviving Horatius kills his own sister for grieving the loss of her fiancé Curatius and is acquitted End