How Was Rome Founded?

The Story of the She-Wolf and Twins...

Dear Classical Wisdom Kids!

Down here in Buenos Aires, Argentina it was hot... very hot! But that didn’t stop us from venturing to the Botanical gardens here in the city. Fortunately we live very close to these gorgeous gardens, so, armed with many water bottles, we were able to brave the humidity and sun. 

And it was worth it! 

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city filled with references to the ancient world. There are statues, monuments, and columns galore! Not surprisingly, the Botanical gardens were no exception. There were tributes to ancient Athenian orators, sculptures depicting Rome’s greatest party... and the famous replica memorializing the mythical foundations of Rome.  

Frida was so excited by it that she requested that this week we go over this essential myth. How was the ancient city of Rome, which became the capital of one of the greatest empires of all time, founded? Read on below to enjoy the famous legend of Romulus and Remus. 

Members: Please enjoy the printable worksheets, activities, etc below the story. 

All the best,
Anya Leonard
Founder and Director

Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom Kids

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Romulus and Remus: The Foundation of Rome

The ancient Romans had a myth about the founding of their city, Rome. It all began when the princess Rhea Silvia and the Roman God of War, Mars, had twin baby boys, Romulus and Remus. 

Princess Rhea Silvia’s evil uncle Amulius had wrongfully taken the throne away from her father, the king. Amulius then had a prophecy that Rhea Silvia’s children would overthrow him, and so when he found out that she was pregnant, he became very angry. Her uncle ordered a servant to take the boys and kill them by abandoning them. However, the servant took pity on them and placed the twins in a basket on the River Tiber. The boys floated away and eventually were found by a she-wolf, who gave them milk. They were later found and raised by a shepherd. 

As young men, the twin boys returned, killed their evil uncle and restored their grandfather to the throne. They then left to find a new city and they eventually stopped at a place on the River Tiber.

According to Livy, the great historian, the two brothers began to fight over where they should found the city. Romulus wanted the city on one hill, while Remus wanted it on another hill. They came to a compromise and decided to study the omens from the gods. They agreed that the one who counted the most birds could select the site for their future city.

Remus saw six birds while Romulus said he had seen over a dozen. However, Remus refused to recognize the omen and decided to build his city on a hill next to his brother Romulus. The two brothers had a huge fight and Remus lost.

Romulus then became the king. He was a great leader and warrior and expanded his city. In the end, the city was named after him and this is the origin of the name, and the city, Rome.

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Let Little Readers Read! 

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