Roman Mythology: Legends That Shaped an Empire
Roman mythology transports us to a world where reality intertwines with legend. These stories created the foundations of one of history’s most influential civilizations.
This handbook presents 18 of Ancient Rome’s most impactful myths and legends. These tales span from the city’s founding to stories of courage, honor, and betrayal. Each myth reflects the values that the Roman people held dear. The stories reveal the fears that haunted them and the ambitions that drove them forward. Through these narratives, we understand how Romans saw their place in the Universe.
How Do We Know About Roman Mythology?
Ancient Roman writers and authors preserved the stories of Roman mythology for us. These individuals documented the myths in written form.
The most significant sources provide our access to Roman mythology today:
Livy (Titus Livius) wrote the historical masterpiece Ab Urbe Condita. This work recounts Rome’s origin and the legends that surrounded it.
Virgil authored the “Aeneid.” This epic poem describes Rome’s divine origin through heroic narrative.
Ovid (Ovidius) detailed the Roman calendar in his book Fasti. The work describes the religious festivals that ancient Romans celebrated.
Dionysius of Halicarnassus composed “Roman Antiquities.” His history of Rome describes major events, religious practices, and cultural beliefs in comprehensive detail.
Are Roman Mythology and Greek Mythology Similar?
Roman religious tradition inherited many elements from Greek culture. Roman cultural practices absorbed Greek influences over time.
Many important Roman gods originated from Greece. Many Roman myths traced their roots to Greek sources as well.
Nevertheless, Rome created its own distinct myths and legends. These original Roman myths offer more interesting insights because they reveal what made Rome unique.
Their origin reaches back to very ancient times. The myths rooted themselves in the culture of the Etruscans, Latins, and Italics. These peoples inhabited Central Italy at the time of Rome’s founding.
What’s the Difference Between Myths and Legends?
Myths and legends often overlap in their themes and purposes.
This article uses both terms according to standard definitions. The understanding follows traditional distinctions between Roman myths and Roman legends:
Roman myths are stories that explain a people’s beliefs. These stories address the natural and human world through symbolic narratives. The tales often involve gods, demigods, and epic heroes. These stories carry highly symbolic meanings by their nature.
Roman legends are tales that recount the past. These narratives often base themselves on historical events. Writers romanticized the events and modified them over time. The modifications met the educational needs and spiritual values of particular eras.
Most Famous Myths and Legends of Ancient Rome with Roman Origin
This list excludes myths and legends like those of Cassandra, Io, or Hercules. Romans adopted these stories but didn’t originate them in Rome itself.
The Myth of Janus
Janus stands as one of the most important ancient Roman gods. Artists usually depicted him as a man with two faces. One face looked forward while the other looked backward.
The legend tells that Janus was born as a human. He ruled the ancient population of Latium, the region surrounding Rome. Janus created good laws and established fair rules.
Janus lived on the Janiculum Hill. One day he met Saturn, the god of agriculture.
Jupiter had recently deposed Saturn from power. Janus offered to rule together with Saturn.
Saturn felt grateful for this generous gesture. He brought a Golden Age to the region. Saturn rewarded Janus with the gift of seeing both past and future.
This foundational myth holds unique importance in Roman mythology. The story tells us about a god who originated from Rome. Janus maintains a strong connection to the land itself.
The Myth of Aeneas, Rome’s Heroic Ancestor
An overview of important Roman myths must include Aeneas, Rome’s semi-divine ancestor. His adventures form the foundation of the city’s history.
Virgil tells us about Aeneas through his most famous masterpiece. He dedicated the “Aeneid” to Aeneas’s story. Aeneas is the son of the goddess Venus. His father was Anchises, a mortal from the city of Troy.
The Greeks conquered Troy and sacked the city. Aeneas fled from the devastation and headed to sea. He took with him his father, his son Ascanius, and the Trojan Lares and Penates. These deities protected family and state.
After long adventures across the Mediterranean, Aeneas settled in Central Italy. He founded a new city that Trojans populated. The same deities protected this city, which he named Lavinium.
Romulus and Remus descended from Aeneas, as we’ll see below. According to Roman mythology, Aeneas is the progenitor of the Roman people. He provides a direct link between Rome and Venus herself.
Interesting fact: Galleria Borghese displays a statue dedicated to this important event in Roman mythology. Visitors can see this artwork today.
The Myth of Romulus, Remus, and the She-Wolf
Another important ancient Roman myth connects to the city’s origin. This tale centers on Romulus, Remus, and the she-wolf.
According to legend, events unfolded around the first half of the 8th century BC. The story takes place in Alba Longa, a city in Central Italy. Ascanius, son of Aeneas, had founded this city.
Problems arose in Alba Longa. Amulius killed his brother Numitor, who ruled this place. Amulius seized power for himself. He wanted to protect himself from revenge. Amulius killed Numitor’s son. He forced Numitor’s daughter Rhea Silvia to become a Vestal Virgin. These priestesses of the goddess Vesta had sworn chastity.
Amulius wanted to prevent Rhea Silvia from having children. He feared these children might one day seek revenge.
Rhea Silvia held a religious role that demanded chastity. However, she became pregnant by the god Mars. She gave birth to twins named Romulus and Remus. Romulus would become the future founder of Rome.
Amulius threw Rhea Silvia in prison. He ordered servants to kill the twins. A merciful servant disobeyed the order. He placed the twins in a basket and set them afloat on the Tiber River. The servant hoped someone would find and raise them.
That someone appeared in the form of a she-wolf. The she-wolf nursed the twins and protected them from harm. A local shepherd named Faustulus found the twins eventually. He adopted them as his own.
The she-wolf carries another name: the Capitoline Wolf. This symbol remains one of Rome’s most important emblems to this day.
The Legend of Rome’s Founding
According to legend, Rome has a specific birthday. The city was founded on April 21, 753 BC. On this day, the twins Romulus and Remus made a decision. These sons of the god Mars and Rhea Silvia decided to found a new city.
However, the brothers couldn’t agree on the location. They devised a plan to resolve the dispute. Each would choose a place and wait for a favorable signal. The gods would show divine preference for one location or the other.
Ancient Romans typically sought favorable signs from the gods. These signs took many forms, including observations of the sky. Romans looked for flocks of birds as omens. The twins chose this system for their decision.
Remus positioned himself on the Aventine Hill. He quickly saw a flock of 6 birds pass overhead.
Romulus positioned himself on the Palatine Hill. Shortly after his brother’s sighting, he noticed a flock of 12 birds.
The two brothers couldn’t reach agreement on interpreting the sign. Remus claimed he saw the birds first. Romulus argued that he saw a greater number.
They came to a dispute that ended violently. Remus died in the conflict. Romulus became the sole founder of the new city. He named the city Rome after himself.
The Legend of the Rape of the Sabines
Another important ancient Roman legend connects to Rome’s founding. This story recounts the rape of the Sabines.
According to legend, Rome suffered from a lack of women immediately after its founding. The Romans tried to solve this problem through negotiation. They approached the Sabines, an Italic people who lived in Northern Latium. The Romans attempted to convince them to give Rome their women. This would allow the city to grow its population.
The Sabines refused the Roman proposal. The Romans devised a cunning plan in response. They invited the Sabines to the city under the pretext of religious games. The Romans then captured and detained the women against their will.
War began between the two peoples. The Sabine king Titus Tatius invaded Rome. A young woman named Tarpeia helped him enter. Heavy battles broke out across the city.
The women themselves intervened to prevent bloodshed. They came forward and pleaded for cessation of hostilities.
The plea worked on both sides. Leaders reached a compromise. The women would move to Rome but wouldn’t be subjected to violence. On the contrary, they would enjoy civil rights and full protections. The two populations would be united as one.
The Legend of Tarpeia
The legend of Tarpeia forms part of the rape of the Sabines story. Tarpeia was a young Roman woman. Her father was Spurius Tarpeius, guardian of the Capitoline Rock.
Tarpeia possessed vain and greedy qualities. She succumbed to Titus Tatius’ promises of wealth. She betrayed the Romans by opening the city gates to the Sabine army.
Her deed didn’t go unnoticed by the gods or people. Romans punished her for betrayal. They killed her by throwing her from the Capitoline Rock. The rock still bears the name Tarpeian Rock in her memory.
Important to know: Ancient Romans commonly used this method for the death penalty. They killed people by throwing them from the Tarpeian Rock.
The Myth of Romulus’ Death
Roman mythology includes a legend connected to Romulus’ death. According to Roman myths, Romulus didn’t simply die like a mortal. He ascended to heaven when his life ended. He became a god named Quirinus.
Sources record this event as happening near the Tiber River. Augustus’ mausoleum now stands at that location.
This placement occurred by design, not accident.
Augustus wanted Romans to perceive him as Rome’s new founder. He placed his own mausoleum at the place where Romulus’ deification occurred. This location sent a clear signal. It connected Augustus to Rome’s legendary founder.
The Myth of Egeria and Numa Pompilius
According to legend, Roman king Numa Pompilius was a pious man. He loved to walk in the forests around the city of Rome.
During one of these walks, he met the nymph Egeria. She lived in this forested area. The two fell in love with each other.
During their relationship, Egeria helped Numa Pompilius conduct reforms in Rome. These reforms included creating a Roman calendar. The calendar would satisfy the gods’ requirements.
The king died of old age eventually. Egeria cried so much over his death that she transformed. She turned into a stream. People still draw drinking water from this stream today.
The forest where Egeria lived still exists. The spring flows to this day. Visitors can see them along the road called Appia Pignatelli.
Legend of Horatius and Curiatii
The legend of Horatius and Curiatii takes place during a specific reign. Tullus Hostilius, third of Rome’s seven kings, ruled at this time (673-642 BC).
Rome was at war with the city of Alba during this period. Leaders decided that a duel would determine the outcome of this war.
Three Roman brothers would fight for Rome. These brothers were called the Horatii. Three brothers from Alba would fight for their city. These brothers were the Curiatii.
Initially, the Curiatii appeared to have the upper hand. They killed two of their Roman opponents in combat.
However, the third brother Horatius survived the initial fighting. He killed all three Curiatii brothers. He won victory for Rome through his skill and courage.
His success provoked his sister’s discontent, however. She was supposed to marry one of the Curiatii brothers. She began to cry when she saw his dead body brought back.
Horatius didn’t accept her reaction to what he perceived as an important victory. He viewed her grief as disloyal to the Roman people. He killed her in anger.
Roman authorities tried him for murder. They acquitted him of the charges.
The most important archaeological remains connect to this legend today. The tomb of Horatius and Curiatii stands at the fourth mile of the ancient Via Appia road.
The most famous later representation exists in painting. Jacques-Louis David created “The Oath of the Horatii.” The Louvre in Paris now exhibits this well-known work.
Legend of Horatius Cocles
Horatius Cocles is a legendary Roman hero. His story comes from the time of Tarquinius Superbus. The war between Rome and the Etruscans provides the setting.
Ancient sources tell that the Etruscans threatened Rome. King Porsena led their forces. They positioned their camp at the far end of the Sublician Bridge. This bridge now stands in Rome’s center.
One day a bloody battle broke out on the bridge. Horatius wanted to save his soldiers from certain death. He ordered them to retreat to safety. He stood alone against the Etruscan army. He defeated the entire force through extraordinary courage. Rome won the war through his actions.
This is the first of several Roman myths that feature King Porsena. The king stands at the center of several other stories from Roman mythology.
Legend of Gaius Mucius Scaevola
The legend of Gaius Mucius Scaevola connects to the war between Rome and the Etruscans. The story takes place during the time of Tarquin Superbus.
Mucius Scaevola was a Roman general. Roman leaders tasked him with infiltrating the Etruscan camp. His mission was to assassinate Etruscan King Porsena.
Mucius Scaevola succeeded with the first part of his plan. He infiltrated the camp successfully. However, he didn’t kill the king as intended. He killed a random person by mistake. Etruscan guards captured him.
Guards brought him before King Porsena. Mucius Scaevola admitted his mistake to the king. He declared he would punish himself for failure. He placed his right hand on heated iron as self-punishment.
King Porsena felt impressed by this gesture of courage. He freed Mucius Scaevola from captivity.
Scaevola thanked him for the mercy. While doing so, he told the king an important fact. He was only the first of three hundred valiant Roman men. All of them stood ready to kill Porsena.
The myth tells that Porsena felt horrified by this prospect. He began peace negotiations with the Romans immediately. He ended the war through diplomatic means.
Legend of Cloelia
The legend of Cloelia also takes place during the Etruscan war. This story centers on a woman instead of a male warrior.
The peace negotiations mentioned above required hostages. The Romans gave Porsena nine girls as part of the agreement. He held them as hostages in his camp.
The girls tried to escape from captivity. One girl named Cloelia led them. They threw themselves into the Tiber River. They tried to reach Rome by swimming across.
The Etruscans saw them attempting to escape. They captured the girls and returned them to Porsena. The king questioned Cloelia about the escape attempt. She admitted the escape idea was hers. She stated she wouldn’t hesitate to try again if given the chance.
Porsena felt impressed by her courage and honesty. He released the girls from captivity. The girls managed to return to their families safely.
The Legend of Lucretia
The ancient Roman legend of Lucretia connects to a major political transition. The story relates to the end of the Roman Kingdom. It marks the birth of the Roman Republic.
According to Livy, Lucretia was a Roman matron. Her beauty attracted the attention of Sextus Tarquinius. He was the son of the seventh Roman king, Tarquinius Superbus.
Lucretia was married and had no interest in an affair with Sextus Tarquinius. She rejected his advances firmly. He didn’t accept her refusal. He raped her against her will.
Lucretia told her husband Collatinus about the violence she endured. In her despair, she took her own life.
Collatinus vowed to avenge this crime. His friend Junius Brutus joined him in this cause. Together they incited the people to revolution. The revolution overthrew the Tarquins. This moment marked the beginning of the Roman Republic.
Collatinus and Junius Brutus became the first Roman consuls. These positions were high magistrates of the newly founded Roman Republic.
The Legend of Tiber Island’s Birth
According to ancient sources, the end of Tarquinius Superbus created an unusual geographic feature. The events led to the birth of Tiber Island.
Collatinus and Brutus seized power from the king. They threw into the river all the possessions of the now-deposed monarch. These possessions included large quantities of hay.
The hay bales were so numerous they created a physical obstruction. They accumulated in the middle of the Tiber River. They formed an island over time. The island brought prosperity to Rome. It became an important trade route for the growing city.
The Legend of Coriolanus
Coriolanus is a hero in an ancient Roman myth. He later became famous through Shakespeare’s work “Coriolanus.”
According to legend, Coriolanus became very unpopular in Rome. He told the Senate to refuse food distribution to the people. He demanded they give up their magistrates first. This position angered many Romans.
Authorities accused him of treason for these statements. He left the city to avoid punishment. He found refuge with the Volsci, who were enemies of Rome. The Volsci were preparing to start a war against the city.
Before hostilities began, the Romans sent ambassadors to Coriolanus. They hoped to negotiate a peaceful resolution. One ambassador was Coriolanus’ mother.
Coriolanus saw his mother approaching. He moved to embrace her with affection. She stopped him before he could. She told him she first wanted to know something important. She wanted to know if she would embrace a son or an enemy.
Her words moved Coriolanus deeply. He decided not to wage war against Rome after all.
The Legend of the Capitoline Geese
The legend of the Capitoline Geese dates from 390 BC. The city of Rome faced terrible pressure at this time. A Gallic attack threatened to destroy the city. The Gauls managed to reach Rome itself. The Romans found refuge atop Capitoline Hill. This location was the last safe place in the city.
One night the Gauls tried to take the hill by stealth. They awakened the geese that inhabited Juno’s temple. The geese made loud noises that woke the Romans. The Romans received warning of the danger.
Shortly after this event, the Romans managed to negotiate a truce. They then defeated the Gauls in battle. The Roman commander connected to this victory was Camillus. According to myth, he said famous words during this time. He declared: “Non auro, sed ferro, recuperanda est patria.” This means: “Not with gold, but with iron (force) shall we reclaim our land.”
The Legend of Aesculapius on Tiber Island
According to ancient sources, a terrible plague raged in Rome during the 3rd century BC. Desperate Romans sought divine help. They sent a ship to the Greek city of Epidaurus. This city was sacred to the god Aesculapius. Aesculapius was the patron of medicine and health. Artists represented him as a snake.
Romans conducted their rituals in Epidaurus. A snake entered their ship during these ceremonies. They interpreted this as a sign of favor from the god. They returned to Rome with the snake aboard.
The ship sailed on the Tiber River as it approached Rome. The snake escaped from the ship at one point. It found refuge on Tiber Island. The Romans took this as a divine sign. They believed the place was sacred to Aesculapius. They built a temple and hospital on the island.
Romans wanted to commemorate this event permanently. They redesigned the entire island in the shape of a ship. This unique design can still be seen today.
The Roman Myth of Caesar’s Comet (Sidus Julius)
The myth around the appearance of Caesar’s comet differs from other Roman myths. It was born more as part of imperial propaganda than from ancient Roman mythology.
Nevertheless, this myth holds such importance for understanding the Roman psyche that it deserves inclusion. The story reveals how Romans viewed their leaders.
According to legend, Julius Caesar died in 44 BC. A comet appeared in the sky at that time. Romans interpreted it as a divine sign. They believed Caesar had become a god after death. They named the comet “Sidus Julius,” which means the Star of Julius (Julian Star).
Romans worshipped Julius Caesar in a temple from that time forward. The temple was called the Temple of Divus Julius (Temple of Divine Julius). Visitors can still see this temple in the Roman Forum today.
Most Famous Myths and Legends in Ancient Rome: Their Meanings
Sometimes historians find it difficult to determine what certain ancient Roman myths or legends mean. Below is a brief list of myths for which historians have reached general agreement on significance:
- The myth of Janus Bifrons interweaves Rome’s history with that of Latium. It establishes a strong divine connection between Rome’s location and its power.
- The myth of Aeneas fleeing Troy establishes Rome’s divine origin through Venus. Venus was Aeneas’ mother.
- The myth of Rhea Silvia confirms Rome’s divine origin through Mars. Mars was the father of the twins.
- The legend of the she-wolf creates a connection to Rome. It recalls the terror that preceded Romulus and Remus’ birth.
- The legend of Romulus founding Rome shows divine approval. The gods supported the city’s founding.
- The legend of the rape of the Sabines legitimizes Rome’s power. It justifies Roman authority over neighboring populations.
- The legend of Tarpeia serves as a cautionary story. It warns against betrayal and emphasizes loyalty.
- The legend of Romulus’ death reinforces the idea of the city’s divine origin. It demonstrates the gods’ ongoing support for Rome’s power.
- The legend of Egeria and Numa Pompilius creates connection to territory. It affirms Rome’s divine origin through sacred relationships.
- The legend of Horatius and Curiatii demonstrates the importance of individual courage. Roman culture valued this trait highly.
- Horatius Cocles’ story emphasizes the importance of individual courage. Roman culture celebrated such bravery.
- The tale of Mucius Scaevola highlights the importance of individual courage and loyalty. Roman culture prized both qualities.
- The legend of Cloelia demonstrates the importance of individual courage and loyalty. Roman culture valued these traits in women as well as men.
- The legend of Lucretia emphasizes the importance of individual purity and loyalty. Roman culture held these virtues in high regard.
- The legend of Coriolanus stresses the importance of loyalty. Ancient Rome considered loyalty to the state paramount.
- The legends of Tiber Island provide legendary explanations. They account for the birth of significant geographical features.
- The legend of the Capitoline Geese shows divine protection. The gods of Rome watched over the city.
- The legend of Caesar’s comet establishes Julius Caesar’s significance. It marks him as a foundational figure for the beginning of imperial times. It demonstrates divine support from the gods for the city’s transformation.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Roman mythology. These famous Roman myths and legends offer fascinating insights into ancient Roman culture and values.