⚔️ Brother vs Brother: Why Did Romulus Kill Remus?

The founding of Rome is not just a tale of triumph, it begins with fratricide, the tragic killing of Remus by his twin brother Romulus. But why would the founder of one of the world’s greatest cities start with such violence?

Let’s unpack the legend, the symbolism, and the different versions of this ancient Roman story.

🐺 From She-Wolf to Civil War

Romulus and Remus were born to Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin, and (according to legend) the god Mars himself. After being abandoned by the Tiber river, they were famously nursed by a she-wolf, later raised by a shepherd named Faustulus and his wife.

The twins eventually discovered their royal lineage and overthrew the king who had wronged their family. But then came a new challenge: founding their own city.

🏔️ Which Hill? Palatine vs Aventine

The first disagreement came when the twins couldn’t agree on where to build the new city.

• Romulus chose the Palatine Hill, now home to the ruins of ancient emperors’ palaces.
• Remus preferred the Aventine Hill, just across the valley.

To settle the dispute, they turned to a traditional method: augury, or reading the will of the gods through the flight of birds.

🐦 Signs from the Sky… and Blood on the Ground

Romulus claimed to see 12 vultures, while Remus saw only 6. But Remus insisted he saw his birds first, so he believed he had won. The argument escalated. In the end, Romulus began to build walls around his hill.

Here comes the turning point:
Remus, mocking his brother, jumped over the new walls to show how weak and symbolic they were. In one version, he simply insults Romulus; in another, he physically crosses the boundary, a grave offense in Roman custom.

Romulus, in a fit of rage (or perhaps as a statement of law), kills Remus and proclaims:

“Sic semper erunt moenia mea — così saranno trattati sempre quelli che oseranno oltrepassare le mie mura.”
(“So shall it be for anyone who dares to cross my walls.”)

⚖️ A Murder, or a Myth of Order?

Some see this as a tale of jealousy. Others see it as symbolic: Romulus represents order, civilization, and the foundation of law — while Remus represents chaos, mockery, and disorder. To establish a city, a line must be drawn. A wall must be defended. Even against a brother.

🏛️ Echoes Through Time

This origin myth isn’t unique. Many ancient cultures told stories of sacrifice or violence marking the beginning of their civilizations. In Rome, the idea that even a city as eternal as hers required pain and power at birth became a part of its identity.

And even today, walking along the Palatine Hill, you can feel the echoes of that first wall — a boundary that shaped not just a city, but an empire.

🐺 Two Brothers, One Legacy

The death of Remus didn’t end the story. It began one. Romulus named the new city Rome, after himself, and became its first king.

Yet Remus is never forgotten. His name lives on in legends, artworks, and the very soul of the city. Every tale of Rome begins with two brothers, a she-wolf, and a choice that changed history.

Rome wasn’t just built on stone, it was built on story.
And at its heart lies a story of rivalry, fate, and the birth of greatness.