| But it wasn't that simple. Being brothers, they soon fell out over where to build it. Romulus wanted to build it on the Palatine Hill. Remus wanted to build it on the neighbouring Aventine Hill. And to make the right decision, they decided to consult the gods. Signs from heaven were sent to each brother in the form of vultures. Remus saw them first, six birds over the Aventine. But Romulus saw more, 12. Each brother claimed the gods favoured him. It was a rivalry with fatal consequences. Romulus started to build walls around the Palatine to mark the boundaries of his new city. Remus mocked his brother by jumping over the half-built fortifications. It was a challenge, and Romulus answered it by killing his brother. The gods had spoken. It's a legend that reflects the Roman conviction that this was a city whose fate was divinely ordained. |
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