Roman foundation myth

Cracked walnut shell on dry soil, symbolizing the death of Remus in Roman mythology

The Death of Remus: Roman Mythology and Meaning

Orin Vale

The death of Remus is a central episode in Roman foundation myth, portraying the fatal conflict between the twin brothers Remus and Romulus as a turning point in the birth of Rome. Told in multiple ancient versions, the story explores themes of boundary, authority, and fratricide, inviting readers to examine how myth shaped Roman ideas of law and power.

Sow nursing piglets in a commercial pig farming facility

Sow of Lavinium: Ancient Roman Myth and Symbolism

Orin Vale

The **Sow of Lavinium** is a striking omen in Roman foundation legend, when a white sow with thirty piglets was said to appear at Lavinium, signaling divine approval of Aeneas’s settlement in Latium. Brief in the sources but rich in meaning, the episode links prophecy, place, and dynastic destiny, inviting closer attention to Rome’s mythical beginnings.

Bronze she-wolf statue on a platform in a blue pond, surrounded by greenery, representing the Lupa Capitolina of Rome

She-Wolf of Rome (Lupa Capitolina): History and Meaning

Orin Vale

The She-Wolf of Rome, or Lupa Capitolina, is a powerful emblem of the city’s legendary origins, combining the myth of Romulus and Remus with a bronze image that has shaped Roman identity for centuries. Its debated dating, layered meanings, and enduring political and artistic influence reveal why this familiar figure continues to invite closer study.