Romulus

Romulus was the legendary founder and first king of Rome. Traditions attribute the establishment of many of Rome's oldest political, religious and social institutions to Romulus and his contemporaries. Although many of these traditions incorporate elements of folklore, and it is not clear if a historical figure underlies them. The events ascribed to him were central to the myths surrounding Rome's origins and cultural traditions.

According to Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia by the god Mars. Their maternal grandfather was Numitor, through whom the twins were descended from both the Trojan hero Aeneas, and Latinus, the king of Latium.

After a reign of thirty-seven years, Romulus is said to have disappeared in a whirlwind during a sudden violent storm. Livy says that Romulus was either murdered by the senators or was raised to heaven by Mars, god of war. Livy believes the last theory, as it allows the Romans to believe that the gods are on their side.