Tiber River
Horatius at the Bridge: Roman Legend and Heroic Defense
Horatius at the Bridge recounts the celebrated defense of Rome’s Pons Sublicius, when Publius Horatius Cocles and two companions resisted Lars Porsena’s advancing Etruscan forces long enough for the Romans to destroy the crossing. Blending history and legend, the episode reveals how a single act of sacrifice became a durable Roman model of courage, civic duty, and patriotic memory.
Founding of Rome: Myth or History Explained
The founding of Rome lies between myth and history, preserving the legendary tale of Romulus and Remus while also reflecting the real growth of Iron Age settlements along the Tiber. This article examines how Roman tradition, archaeology, and later historical writing shaped the enduring question of whether Rome began in 753 BCE or emerged gradually from earlier communities.
Cacus: Mythological Figure in Roman Legend
Cacus is a formidable figure in Roman mythology, remembered as a fire-breathing cave-dweller who stole Hercules’ cattle and was slain for his crime. His story, set near the Aventine Hill and the Forum Boarium, reveals how Roman legend tied heroic conflict to the sacred landscape and the shaping of early identity.
