A publication of the Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeologist Andrea Carandini claims he has evidence for a
flesh-and-blood Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome. Many of
his colleagues dispute his interpretation, believing Romulus to
be a mythic figure. Who's right? In this special report, we
present both sides of the debate, plus interviews with Carandini
and critic Albert Ammerman.Were Romulus and Remus Historical
Figures? by Andrew Slayman April 21, 753 B.C.—After being raised
by a she-wolf along the banks of the Tiber River, the orphan
twins Romulus and Remus decide to found a city. They consult the
augurs to see which of them will be king, and the answer comes
back: "Romulus." So he marks out a sacred boundary on the
Palatine Hill and orders his men to dig a ditch and build a wall
around it. Remus, in a fit of jealousy and rage, jumps over the
wall. For this sacrilegious transgression, Romulus kills his
brother and goes on to fulfill the prophecy by becoming the
first king of Rome. For more th