Rome's Founding Myths & Other Stories Flashcards
What is the Romulus and Remus myth?
Romulus and Remus, two sons of Mars. Abandoned by their dad, nursed by she-wolf (or possibly a prostitute, same term “Lupin”). Become great heroes. They found Rome.
Romulus kills each Remus, since he disrespects him in some way
Supposedly named it after himself
King with no subject
Invites exiles and vagabonds, mostly single men
Romulus invites the neighboring Sabines, asks them to send daughters to marry
Ew no def not
Romulus invites them to a nice feast and chariot races in the circus maximus
While watching, Romulus’ men kidnap the women
The Sabine men have no weapons so they go home
They gather their weapons and attack Rome
The Sabine women now have babies
“think of the children, you monsers!” and they stop the war between their rapists/husbands and fathers
What is Rome’s inaccurate founding date?
Romulus is the supposed first king of Rome (if he actually existed)
753 BC (when Romulus became king) is a useful date, inaccurate but useful.
It was their zero year, like when Jesus’ slightly inaccurate birth date.
What is the story of Horatius at the bridge?
Early Roman history is not necessarily true, but it’s important to remember that the Romans did think it was true
Descedants inherited the glory of their ancestors, and it helped to be voted into office
“Pietas” = duty towards family, parents, children, gods, the state
They had a really strong sense of morality
What is the story of Verturia outside the walls?
She goes outside the Roman walls to stop the war
Coriolanus (a patrician who didn’t think much of Plebians) so annoyed he wasn’t elected and leaves Rome and goes to the enemies he just conquered and says hey let’s go attack Rome.
The Roman matrons beg Verturia to go out and beseech him to not hurt them
It was brave and doing it on behalf of their menfolk, which was what good Roman women did
his pietas towards his family sways him
Ideal Roman women is weaving in her home and not interfering with her husband’s stuff
If they did act out, it should be in the interest of the state
