Creation Myths of Rome
Rome was developed between two cultures; the Greeks were to the south of the Tiber and the Etruscan to the north. The Romans took parts of each culture and infused into theirs. They admired the Greek culture and the Etruscan system for trade. The interesting part of the foundation of Rome comes in by the two foundation myths. One myth from the Greeks was based on the Trojan warrior Aeneas, who decided at the end of the Trojan War to sail off to find new land for his people (Sayre 83). The second myth from the Etruscans was based two twins Romulus and Remus were left by the Tiber to die and were rescued and raised by a she-wolf (Sayre 83). Both myths are similar in the respect that they represent passion by wanting Rome and betrayal by being destructive.
The first legend is featured in Virgil's Aeneid, as the founding of Rome. The legend declares that a Trojan warrior, Aeneas, at the end of the Trojan War sets to sail to find new land for his people. Rome is believed to be named after a woman traveling along Roma. When Aeneas and his people landed at the Tiber the women especially Roma did not want to leave. Since Roma wanted to make he point known she convinced the other women to aid her in burning the boats (Mark). Therefore, they had to stay there since they had no means of transportation. This legend shows both passion and betrayal by Roma. Roma shows passion for wanting to stay by the Tiber and settle in the city to the extent she betrays the men and burns down their boat with the other women.
The second legend states that two twin infants were left at the Tiber to die and were rescued by a she-wolf who fed them her milk. The twins’ names were Romulus and Remus. Later the twin boys were raised by a Shepard, and decided to build a city on the Palatine Hill above the spot they were saved. After they built their city the boys soon feuded over who would have control. It is said Remus contemptuously jumped over the newly raised walls (Sayre 83).
The first legend is featured in Virgil's Aeneid, as the founding of Rome. The legend declares that a Trojan warrior, Aeneas, at the end of the Trojan War sets to sail to find new land for his people. Rome is believed to be named after a woman traveling along Roma. When Aeneas and his people landed at the Tiber the women especially Roma did not want to leave. Since Roma wanted to make he point known she convinced the other women to aid her in burning the boats (Mark). Therefore, they had to stay there since they had no means of transportation. This legend shows both passion and betrayal by Roma. Roma shows passion for wanting to stay by the Tiber and settle in the city to the extent she betrays the men and burns down their boat with the other women.
The second legend states that two twin infants were left at the Tiber to die and were rescued by a she-wolf who fed them her milk. The twins’ names were Romulus and Remus. Later the twin boys were raised by a Shepard, and decided to build a city on the Palatine Hill above the spot they were saved. After they built their city the boys soon feuded over who would have control. It is said Remus contemptuously jumped over the newly raised walls (Sayre 83).