Foundation Stories Rome

What are the good things about Livy as a source? (2)

1 He lived through the period of Augustus 2 He was a full time historian

What are the problems with Livy as a source? (2)

1 Many sources was lost in 387BC when Rome was destroyed by the Gauls 2 he saw no need to separate fact and fiction

Why did Livy want to write about early Rome? (3)

1 to explain Rome's greatness 2 to forget the troubles of his own times 3 to provide examples for people to copy

Who were Aeneas' parents? (2)

1 Venus, goddess of love 2 Anchises (of the royal household of Troy)

Who did Aeneas flee Troy with? (2)

1 His father Anchises 2 His son Ascanius

What does his departure from Troy reveal about Aeneas?

He did his duty to his family (pietas)

Who did Aeneas lose on his way out of Troy?

His wife Creusa

What else did Aeneas take from Troy?

The household gods (Penates)

What does taking the household gods suggest about Aeneas?

He did his duty to the gods (pietas)

Who eventually looked after the Penates?

The Vestal Virgins

Where did Aeneas travel before reaching Italy? (3)

1 Macedon 2 Sicily 3 Carthage

What happened when Aeneas arrived in Italy? (4)

1 He fought a war against Turnus 2 He made peace with king Latinus 3 He married the king's daughter Lavinia 4 He founded a new city called Lavinium

What two stories does Livy include about Aeneas and Latinus? (2)

1 they made peace after Latinus' defeat in battle 2 they made peace after a meeting before a battle

Why was Aeneas so important to the Romans?

Augustus claimed descent through Julius Caesar to Aeneas

What city did Ascanius, Aeneas' son, found?

Alba Longa

Who was descended from Ascanius?

Romulus and Remus

What happened to Romulus and Remus' grandfather Numitor?

He was thrown off the throne by his brother Amulius

What did Amulius do on seizing the throne? (1)

1 Killed Numitor's sons 2 Made his daughter Rhea Silvia a Vestal Virgin

Why did Amulius make Rhea Silvia a Vestal Virgin?

So she would have no children

Who did Rhea Silvia later claim made her pregnant?

Mars, god of war

What happened to the baby sons of Rhea when they were born? (3)

1 They were placed near the flooded river Tiber 2 in a floating basket 3 but the basket came to a stop on dry land

Who first fed the twins?

A wolf

Who then looked after them? (2)

1 Faustulus, a shepherd 2 Larentia, his wife (nicknamed 'she-wolf' as she was promiscuous)

What did the twins grow up to do? (3)

1 they hunted animals 2 they attacked robbers 3 they collected a gang

What did the twins later do?

Returned their grandfather Numitor to the throne of Alba Longa

Where did the twins found a city?

Rome

What problem did the twins have at Rome? (2)

1 They did know who was the eldest 2 what to name the city

How did the twins decide who should rule ?

Look for an augury

What did Remus see? (2)

1 Six vultures 2 first

What did Romulus see? (2)

1 Twelve vultures 3 second

So who won?

No one was sure

What did Remus end up doing?

1 Jumping over Romulus' wall 2 and being killed by Romulus

Which hill did Romulus start Rome on?

The Palatine hill

Who compared Theseus and Romulus? (3)

1 Plutarch 2 a Greek 3 living under the Roman emperors

Why did Plutarch compare Theseus and Romulus? (2)

1 Theseus unified Athens and allowed it to expand 2 Romulus founded the city of Rome

What did Plutarch think of the greatness of Theseus' and Romulus' deeds? (2)

1 Theseus acted of his own accord eg travelling to Athens by land 2 Romulus had to act to escape from Amulius

What did Plutarch think about the leadership of Theseus and Romulus? (2)

1 Theseus favoured the people, giving away power 2 Romulus favoured one man rule, taking too much power

What did Plutarch think about the reasons for bad luck for Theseus and Romulus? (2)

1 Theseus' curse led to the death of his son Hippolytus because of love and a false charge 2 Romulus killed Remus because of his anger

What did Plutarch think about the achievements of Theseus and Romulus? (2)

1 Theseus united what was already there - Attica 2 Romulus rose from a very low position to establish Rome

What did Plutarch think about the relationship of Theseus and Romulus to their families? (2)

1 Theseus forgot to change the sails, leading to the death of his father Aegeus 2 Romulus saved his mother and grandfather

What did Plutarch think about the relationship of Theseus and Romulus to women and the gods? (2)

1 Theseus raped women 2 Romulus snatched 800 Sabines, but only took one for himself. The rest were well treated.