Romulus & Remus
Summary
Host Tristan Hughes and Dr. Jeremy Armstrong explore Rome’s mythic founders, including Aeneas, Romulus, and Remus. They analyze how these legends shaped Roman identity and served political purposes, particularly under Augustus. The discussion covers archaeological evidence, the significance of the she-wolf, and the historical kernels of truth within these enduring origin stories.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: History Hit, Upwork, and Workday
Introduction: Romulus, Remus, and the Mythic Founders of Rome
The Function of Origin Myths in Roman Identity and Politics
Other Key Founders: Numa Pompilius and Servius Tullius
Aeneas: The Trojan Hero and His Journey to Italy
Archaeological Evidence for Aeneas and the Cult at Lavinium
Myth-Making in the 4th Century BCE and Diplomatic Connections
Sources for the Romulus and Remus Story: Livy and Plutarch
The Birth of the Twins: Rhea Silvia, Mars, and the Tiber
Mythological Parallels: Moses, Sargon, and the She-Wolf
The Symbolism of the Wolf in Iron Age Italy
Return to Alba Longa and the Ethos of Raiding
Founding Rome: Omens, Dispute, and the Death of Remus
Fratricide, Civil War, and the Construction of Walls
Sponsors and the Abduction of the Sabine Women
The Disappearance of Romulus and Physical Evidence of His Life
Dating Rome: 753 BCE vs. Archaeological Reality
Conclusion and Future Episodes on Early Roman Kings
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