Fabulae Romanae #1-4

Once (upon a time) in Asia there was an ancient city, which was named Troy. The Greeks laid siege to this city for ten years and finally captured it. After the king Priam and his sons had been killed, they razed the city. But Aeneas, who had been among the most famous protectors of the city, escaped from the city with a few companions; when he had gathered together refugees from all parts, he decided to move into Italy.

1. Aeneas Arrives in Italy

Part 1

After seven years, he came into this part of Italy where there was a city Laurentum. Since the Trojans were driving cattle from the fields there, king Latinus and the Aborigines, who controlled these places, prepared to defend (their) territories. But Latinus, after he learned in conversation the origin of the crowd and their leader, made a peace with Aeneas and subsequently gave him his daughter Lavinia for marriage. The Trojans founded a city, which Aeneas called Lavinium from the name of his wife.

1. Aeneas Arrives in Italy

Part 2

Then Turnus, king of the Rutulians, to whom Lavinia had been betrothed before Aeneas' arrival, attacked Latinus and the Trojans in a war. The Rutulians were overcome, but the victors lost their leader Latinus. Then Turnus sought aid from the Etruscans, who had filled the whole of Italy with the renown of their name; they, fearing (that) the new city (was) growing in great number and resources, happy (happily) brought help. Aeneas in so great a crisis, so that he might have the Aborigines and the Trojans under the same law and name, called each race the Latins. Although he was able to defend himself with fortifications against the Etruscans, he nevertheless led forth his troops into battle. The Etruscans were defeated; still, the victors lost their leader as (they had done) before; for after the fight they were not able to find Aeneas; many, therefore, believed that he had gone over to the gods.

1. Aeneas Arrives in Italy

Part 3

From then (on) Lavinia ruled, until Ascanius, Aeneas' son, reached maturity ("grew up"). Then he/that one, because of Lavinium's overflowing multitude, left the city behind for his mother; he himself founded another new city at the foot of the Alban mountain, which (i.e. referring to the city) was called Alba Longa. Many kings managed the Alban government after Ascanius. A certain one of these, whose name was Proca, had two sons, Numitor and Amulius. He left the kingdom to Numitor, who was the elder ("greater"). Nevertheless, having driven out his brother ("with his brother having been driven out"), Amulius ruled. He killed his brother's son; through the guise of an honor, he chose (his brother's) daughter, Rhea Silvia, (to be) a priestess of Vesta.

2. The Founding of Alba Longa

From this daughter were born two sons, Romulus and Remus. Their father, as the story is, was the god Mars. But neither the gods nor men defended the mother and the boys from the king's cruelty. The priestess was handed over to (the king's) custody (lit. "given into custody"); the king ordered the boys to be thrown into the Tiber. By chance the Tiber had flooded and those who were carrying the boys were not able to approach (to) the deep water. Therefore they placed the boys in a basket and left (them) in shallow water. But the basket sat on dry land. Then, a thirsty (lit. "thirsting") wolf - for thus has it been related - turned her course from the mountains which are nearby towards the wailing of the boys. Faustulus, the king's shepherd, found her nursing the boys. The boys were raised by him and (his) wife Laurentia. As soon as they grew up, they began to hunt and attack (lit. "make attacks against") robbers laden with booty and distribute the spoils (booty) for the shepherds.

3. Romulus and Remus

Part 1

While certain games were being celebrated, the robbers, angry on account of the lost booty, attacked Romulus and Remus. They handed over Remus, who had been captured (lit. "the having been captured Remus"), to the king Amulius. They were complaining that the boys had driven the cattle ("booty") from the fields of Numitor. Thus, Remus is handed over to Numitor for punishment.

3. Romulus and Remus

Part 2

From the beginning, Faustulus had believed that the boys who had been exposed by the order of the king were raised at his home. Then, moved by Remus' peril, he reveals the situation to Romulus. By chance, Numitor had also heard that the brothers were twins; then, comparing both their age and the noble spirit of Remus, he recognized his grandson. Romulus, with a band of shepherds, attacks king Amulius; Remus helps with another band of men that he had prepared (lit. "with another having been prepared band"). In this way the king was killed. The Alban government was restored by the young men to (their) grandfather Numitor. Then Romulus and Remus decided to build a city in those places where they had been exposed and where they had been raised.

3. Romulus and Remus

Part 3

Each young man wanted to give his name to the new city and to rule it (the city). But because they were twins and the matter was not able to be decided by (means of) their age, they used auguries*. Six vultures were seen by Remus first. Afterwards twelve (vultures) showed themselves to Romulus. Each was hailed king by his friends and demanded the kingdom. When they, angry, had seized arms (English would say "when they had angrily seized arms"), Remus fell/died in the fight. According to another story Remus, while mocking his brother, leapt across the city's new walls, then (he) was killed by the angry Romulus, who also added these words: "Then let him perish so, whoever else will jump over my walls." In this way Romulus alone acquired power; he called the city having been founded ("which had had founded") "Rome" from his own name.

4. The Founding of Rome

Part 1

First he built up the Palatine, on which he himself had been raised. Once the crowd had been called to council, he issued laws. He also took up the insignia/tokens of power, the curule chair ("sella curulis") and the toga praetexta, and twelve lictors*. He opened a refuge on the Capitoline hill, where many people from the neighboring tribes fled. He also created 100 senators, who were called "fathers" for the sake of respect/honor.

4. The Founding of Rome

Part 2