Rhea Silvia was the daughter ofNumitor Silvius, king of Alba Longa, a legendary town founded by Ascanius, son ofAeneas, prince of Troy. When Numitor's brotherAmulius became king by force, he made Rhea Silvia aVestal Virgin, so she would not have children who could be kings instead of him. But the godMars seduced her and she had the twins Romulus and Remus. Rhea Silvia was punished, and her sons were thrown into theTiber river as punishment, but were saved by the river godTiberinus, who also saved Rhea Silvia and married her. Romulus and Remus were found by ashe-wolf who suckled them. Awoodpecker fed them. The twins were later found by a shepherd, Faustulus, who raised them. they were raised asshepherds, herding sheep, not knowing of their true bloodline. Over many years, the twins became natural leaders in their shared village. they eventually learned their past by a fight with Amulius, which saw Amulius killed in action. they had their grandfather Numitor reinstated as king.
Once they were grown, they led a band of young men to go build a city. Romulus and Remus would build the city ofRome. However, the twins and men argued about where to start in Rome. Romulus favored thePalatine Hill for defense in an attack, but Remus favored theAventine Hill, which was better placed for easy trading of goods. They decided to settle the disagreement by asking the gods. Each brother stood on his respective hill and made religious offerings. Remus saw sixvultures fly overhead, and Romulus saw twelve land on his hill. Vultures are a symbol ofMars, their father. Romulus said that twelve vultures came, However, Remus countered that he had seen the birds first. Romulus then said that the birds had landed on his hill, making a clear sign. Remus went over to his hill to check, and there were twelve vultures on Romulus's hill. Remus and his group argued, rejected, and went to his hill. Nonetheless, Romulus and his group started to build awall around his city by digging atrench first for his wall to be built. Remus saw this and jumped over the trench as an insult to his brother. he fought Romulus through words about this trench. These words within minutes became a full-on hand to hand fight. Angered at his brother's words, Romulus killed Remus in the fight. He was dismayed and he regretted his brother's death, so he took Remus's body to Amulius's old palace and buried him there.
.JPG)
