The Myth of Romulus and Remus: Why a She-Wolf?

The story of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers credited with founding Rome, is steeped in legend, and the central image of a she-wolf nursing the two brothers is one of its most enduring symbols. But why a she-wolf?

1. Origins of the Myth

The story begins with Rhea Silvia, the twins’ mother, a vestal virgin and daughter of the deposed king of Alba Longa. When Rhea Silvia gave birth to the twins, it was forbidden because vestals were expected to remain celibate. To hide the shame, she claimed that Mars, the god of war, was the father. Her uncle, the king, ordered the twins to be abandoned on the banks of the Tiber River. Miraculously, they survived, and a she-wolf found the infants and nursed them until a shepherd, Faustulus, discovered them and raised them.

2. Symbolism of the She-Wolf

The she-wolf, or lupa, symbolizes more than a nurturing figure. Wolves were sacred to Mars, Romulus and Remus’ supposed divine father, linking the myth to Rome’s martial heritage. Wolves were also associated with strength, resilience, and wild independence; qualities that the early Romans admired and saw as foundational to their society.

Furthermore, the Latin word lupa also meant “prostitute” in ancient Rome. Some historians believe this double meaning could reflect societal attitudes toward Rome’s foundation, hinting at humble or rough origins.

3. The Role of the She-Wolf in Roman Culture

For ancient Romans, the she-wolf became an emblem of Rome’s identity, symbolizing both the city’s mythical origins and the virtues of loyalty and strength. The statue known as the Capitoline Wolf, which depicts the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, became iconic in Rome and an enduring representation of the city’s foundation story.

4. Historical Interpretations

Scholars have long debated the story’s origins and meaning. Some think the she-wolf represents a fusion of Etruscan, Greek, and Roman traditions. In Greek mythology, for instance, children are often protected by wild animals (like the story of Atalanta, also nursed by a she-bear). This theme of nature sheltering and nurturing abandoned children may reflect a universal motif of survival and resilience, emphasizing that the future founders of Rome were chosen and protected by divine forces.

In sum, the she-wolf’s role in the Romulus and Remus myth represents a blend of maternal instinct, divine symbolism, and cultural ideals that helped shape the identity of Rome and its people.