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The Myths of the Founding of Rome
The Story of Aeneas:
Aeneas was a hero from the Trojan War. He was the son of the goddess Aphrodite, also
known as Venus in Roman mythology. When the Trojan Horse entered the city of Troy and the
Greeks won the war, Aeneas escaped. Aeneas and the other soldiers he brought with him sailed
through the Mediterranean and eventually landed in Carthage. From Carthage, Aeneas went on to
found the city of Lavinium, an ancient city in Italy. Although Aeneas did not found Rome, his
descendants were Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome. Read on to find out
more about Romulus and Remus.
The Story of Romulus and Remus:
According to the Roman legend, Rome was founded by Romulus, who had a twin brother
named Remus. Romulus and Remus were the children of King Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silva, and
Mars, the god of war.
The twins’ grandfather was afraid that they would grow up to overthrow him, so he threw
them in the Tiber River. They were discovered by a wolf who raised them as her children.
Later, the twins where found by Faustulus, the king's shepherd. He took them home to his
wife and the two adopted them, calling them Romulus and Remus. They grew up as bold and strong
young men and they became the leaders of a band of shepherds.
One day Remus was captured and brought before King Numitor for punishment. King
Numitor, noticing how unlike a shepherd's son he was, questioned him and before long realized
who he was. Romulus and Remus than rose against the king and killed him.
Deciding to found a town of their own, Romulus and Remus chose the place where the wolf
had rescued them. Romulus began to build walls on the Palatine Hill, but Remus said they were too
low. He leaped over them to prove this, and Romulus killed him in anger.
Romulus continued building the new city, naming it Rome after himself. For the rest of his
life Romulus ruled alone, proving himself a great leader in peace and war. According to mythology,
he did not die but disappeared in a violent storm.
Mythological Founding of Rome Comic Strips Directions:
Directions: Make a six-box comic strip for both the myth of Aeneas and Romulus and Remus. Each
box must include a picture with color and a caption. Include six events from each story in each box.
Picture = 1 point
Caption = 1 point
Color = 1 point
Each box = 3 points X 12 boxes = 36 points total