Rome, the eternal (part 2).

 

The Legend.

Anaeas carrying Anchises. Black figures oinochoe, ca. 520-510 bC.
Photo: Bibi Saint-Pol, 2007. Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

On the banks of the Tiber, something unusual disrupted the monotony of the day. A basket was hardly floating over the turbulent water, till it got stuck at a crook of the river. Curious, the first to get close, was a she-wolf, whose cubs were surely waiting for her. Drooling greedy, stared at two new born babies. For a merciless hunter, it meant the chance of having an easy feast. However, an invisible force stopped the beast, and was stronger than her instinct! Since that moment, stranger as it may seem, the wolf took care of both infants and feeded them as her own cubs. Obviously, the children were under the protection of the gods. But, who were them? Why had someone given them to the waters of the river?

The Capitoline she-wolf, with Romulus and Remus.
13th and 15th centuries. New Museum of the Conservatory, Rome.
Scanned by E. Müller-Baden. Photo: Wolpertinger

It was indeed a long story, which went back to the heroic events of the War of Troy... After ten years of almost sterile efforts, when countless heroes had bitten the dust, the result still remained uncertain. Finally, a trick of Odysseus (Ulysses), put an end to the terrible conflict. By the advice of the goddess Athena, he made the people of Troy take a giant wooden horse, into the city. It looked like an offering to the gods, but it was a deadly trap! It carried inside, the best Greek warriors, waiting to attack. On a night of fire and death, the splendid city was torn down and only a few could escape safely.

Aeneas escaping from Troy, by Federico Baroci, 1598. Borghese Gallery, Rome, Italy.
Source: Web Gallery of Art. {{PD-US}}

Among them was Aeneas, one of the most brave Trojan princes. He managed to run away, because his mother, the goddess Aphrodite (Venus), came to help him. Carrying his father on his shoulders, and holding the hand of Ascanius, his son, they could be safe from the brutal massacre. But in the middle of the turmoil, he lost his wife. At last, with a hundred fugitives, they could set to sea. They had changed a sure death, for an uncertain destiny. 

Dido and Aeneas. By Pierre Narcisse Guérin, 1815. Fine Arts Museum, Bordeaux, France.
Source: The York Project, 2002. Distributed by DirectMedia.

After they wandered disoriented by the Mediterranean Sea, chance took them to the northern coast of Africa. They were at the young city of Carthage (the future enemy of Rome). There, Aeneas not only found the queen Dido´s hospitality; she also gave him her heart. It looked like he found a place to put down roots, reigning beside his beloved. But soon the gods made him understand that it was not his fate: he had to go ahead! So, a day, without explanation, the Trojans just went away. The deceived queen put end to her life, plunging a dagger in her heart.

Death of Dido. By: Augustin Cayot, 1711. Louvre Museum, Paris, France.
Photo: Marie Lang-Nguyen, 2011.

With a favourable wind, they arrived to the near island of Sicily. Then, sat sail to the mainland, south of Italian peninsula. Following the coastal line, they found and went up a wide river (Tiber), at the region of Latium. It took them to the lands of the famous king Latinus. Soon, Aeneas understood that he was there by the gods will. An oracle had predicted that the daughter of the king was destined to marry a foreign prince... and he would be the next monarch. Who else could it be, if not him? But Lavinia, the princess, already had a mighty pretender and it unleashed the war between them.

Anaeas at the king Latinus´ Court. By Ferdinand Bol, ca. 1663. National Museum of Amsterdam.
Source: Rijksmuseum.nl  {{PD-US}}

Finally, the Trojans and their Latin allies got the victory. Aeneas could finish his tenacious rival (Turnus). So the predestined prince, became the king of Latium. With Lavinia, engendered a child. His name was Silvius. By his sons, the lineage of Aeneas would perpetuate in the lands of Italy... Ascanius, the elder, founded and was the first king of Alba Longa, and was succeeded by his brother Silvius. From their progeny, came all the kings of that city. Romulus, the future founder of Rome, was the grandson of one of those monarchs. Hence, through his veins ran the blood of the Trojan prince. That is why Aeneas is considered the ancestor of the Roman people.

Aeneas and Turnus. By Luca Giordano, 17th century. Corsini Palace, Florence, Italy.
Source: http://Imagencpd.aut.org

However, with the passage of time, both cities, became bitter enemies. In part, was a consequence of their proximity (about thirteen miles). Besides, Alba Longa was the foremost city of the Latin League and was concerned about the continous growing of Rome. The war between them was unavoidable, and it would end with the destruction of Alba Longa.

Vestal carrying the sacred fire. By Jean Raoux, ca. 1729.
Fabre Museum, Montpellier, France.

One of the kings of that city, named Numitor, was deposed by his brother. Then, he began to kill all the male heirs. Concerning the king´s daughter, he forced her to become a vestal: the young maids devoted to the goddess Vesta. They were priestess who must remain virgin. Otherwise, they risked to suffer harsh punishments. But Ares (Mars), deeply loved the princess, whose name was Rhea Silvia. The fruit of their passion was a pair of twins. 

Mars and Rhea Silvia. By Peter Paul Rubens, ca. 1620. Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna, Austria. {{PD-US}}

As might be expected, the usurper´s rage was awful. At once, he ordered the death of Rhea Silvia and her sons. Nonetheless, somebody tried to save the infants, leaving them into a floating basquet, to the gods´ will. And they survived, as their mother also did. The two brothers were feeded by a wolf, and acquired its boldness and bravery, characteristics that every good Roman should have. 

Romulus and Remus, found by the wolf. By Peter Paul Rubens, ca. 1616.
Capitoline Museums, Campidoglio, Rome. Source: Web Gallery of Art.

Years later, a shepherd adopted both kids and brought them up at his home. He named them Romulus and Remus. When they grew up, knew their true origin. The two princes rebelled to get their grandfather Numitor, back to the throne of Alba Longa. Once they achieved it, planned to found a new city, by the side of the Tiber river. According to Romulus, the best location would be at the Palatine Hill. It was near the place they were found by the wolf. At the same time, Remus thought that over the Aventine, eight hundred meters to the South, could be better. As they did not agree, decided to ask the gods. 

From their hills, each one of them would count how many vultures (or eagles?) passed flying by, all that day. It is said, that Remus saw six birds, while Romulo counted twelve. Even so, they did not come to an agreement. At the end, the discussion turned into a fight, and Romulus took the life of his brother. Next, he began to build the walls of the new city, baptized with the name of Rome. Numerous men came to live there: free or slaves, peasants and shepperds... Romulus ruled wisely for more than three decades. He established the laws and organized the society.

Romulus, taken to Olimpus by Mars. By Jean-Baptiste Nattier, ends of the 17th century.
Museum Juan Pablo II Colection. {{PD-US}}

When his grandfather Numitor died, he inherited the crown of Alba Longa. According to some tales, Romulus vanished on a night, in the middle of a storm. He was seized from heaven, and became Quirinus, the god of war. Other less poetic versions, maintained that he became a tyrant, as time passed. At last, he was murdered and his body disappeared.

We will stay visiting those times and places, to watch the growing of the young Rome. A city where many men came, but only a little women, at first... Its early history is closely linked to the legend; but one thing is certain, it was destined to write the history of the world, for many years.