On April 21, 753 BC, Roman legend tells us that Romulus founded the Eternal City of Rome after a dramatic series involving his twin brother Remus. The tale is of divine destiny, sibling rivalry, and the birth of a civilization that would shape the ancient world and beyond.

In Roman mythology, the twins were the sons of Mars, the god of war, and Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin. After being abandoned as newborns near the river Tiber, they were saved by a she-wolf, which is considered a divine act. A shepherd and his wife, guided by divine intervention, then raised the twins. As they grew older, they learned about their royal origins, which ignited their ambition to establish a new city.

Once united by their vision, the two brothers found themselves at odds over the location of the new city and questions of authority. Rather than leading to a peaceful resolution, their disagreements escalated into a violent confrontation. The tragic outcome, with Romulus killing Remus in a bid for political supremacy, is a reminder of the destructive power of ambition. Nevertheless, Rome was founded on Palatine Hill on April 21, 753 BC, emerging from this tragedy. As the first monarch, Romulus established the foundations for Roman traditions in cultural interests, legal doctrine, and military practices.

In ancient Roman calendars, April 21 received special honor because it was known as Parilia, a celebration of pastoral customs that evolved to symbolize the city’s founding. The discovery of human remains on the Palatine Hill from the 8th century BC provides supporting evidence for the myth’s chronology and basic concepts, even if details remain unverified.