Name:___________________________

Foundation of Rome: Fact vs. Fiction

Reading

The legend of the start of Rome begins with the Trojan War. When the
Greeks trick the Trojans with the wooden horse, Aeneas and a few other
Trojans <lee from the city. Aeneas shows a strong respect for the the gods.
He is a fearsome warrior and a leader able to motivate his men in the face
of hard time. He also was a man capable of great compassion and sorrow.
He was told by an oracle that his destiny was to found the Roman race of
people in Italy. Aeneas begins his journey, which takes many dangerous
twists and turns. He eventually makes it to Italy and founds a city there.
After a passage of time, the
children of Aeneas have built
their small polis into a powerful
polis called Alba Longa. Alba
Longa was ruled by King
Numitor. King Numitor had two
children: Amulius and Rhea.
Amulius overthrew his father and took the thrown for himself.
King Amulius forced his sister Rhea to become a virgin priestess
in the temple to the god Mars (aka: Ares) so that she could not
have any children. However, the god Mars was attracted to Rhea,
and she becomes pregnant by Mars. She gave birth to twin sons,
Remus and Romulus.

Alba
Longa
Rome

King Amulius was afraid that the

twin boys because they might
grow up to overthrow him. King
Amulius put Remus and Romulus
into a basket and set them out in
the wilderness to die. A wolf found
the children and decided to raise them. Eventually, a shepard found the two
boys and brought them into his home to be raised. When they were full
grown, Remus and Romulus overthrew Amulius and had their grandfather
Numitor, re-crowned king.
Remus and Romulus went off to found a city of their own. They
choose the spot where the wolf had found and nursed them. The spot
was by the Tiber river, and was surrounded by seven hills. They
argued over what the city was to be called, as each wanted it to
named after himself. They made a bet. Each brother would choose a
hill. Which ever hill the most birds landed the next day on would
decide which brother would be in charge and get to name the city.
Remus choose Aventine Hill. Romulus choose Palantine Hill. The next
day, a swarm vultures all landed on Aventine Hill. Romulus was so
furious, he went over to Aventine Hill and killed Remus. In 753BC, He
started the city on Palantine Hill and called it Rome.

Foundation of Rome: Fact vs. Fiction

Worksheet

1) Describe Aeneass character traits? Predict what Romans will value in their society.

2) Why do you think the Romans would choose Aeneas as the founding hero of the Roman People?

3) How will the Romans view the Greeks?

4) Re-read the events of Amulius. What story(s) does this remind you of? Why?

5) The story says that Romulus and Remus are children of Mars/Ares. With this in mind, predict what
type of character traits or personality the Romans will have?

6) What bet did Remus & Romulus make? Why would the fact that vultures appeared be signi<icant?
(hint: think back to the project you just 8inished)

7) What role or importance will birds play in Roman society?