Brave Heroes

Welcome to Roman heroes!

Romulus & Remus

Founders of Rome

Romulus and Remus were the legendary twin brothers at the centre of Rome's foundation story. Their father was said to be Mars, the god of war, and their mother was Rhea Silvia. As babies they were placed in a basket and left beside the River Tiber, but a she-wolf found and fed them until a shepherd rescued them. The twins grew into strong young men and eventually decided to build a new city. Unfortunately, they could not agree about who should rule it. Their argument ended terribly, and Romulus became Rome's first king. I think their story has everything: danger, wild animals, kings, brothers and one extremely famous wolf!

Fun fact: Rome's legendary founders were fed by a wolf. Suddenly your childhood packed lunch seems very boring!

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Aeneas

Legendary Ancestor of Rome

Aeneas was a Trojan hero who escaped when the city of Troy was destroyed and began a huge journey towards a new home. His mother was Venus, goddess of love, and his father was a mortal man called Anchises. Romans believed Aeneas's descendants eventually led to Romulus and Remus, making him part of Rome's legendary family tree. His most famous story is told in Virgil's Aeneid. Aeneas fights monsters and enemies, survives storms and even visits the Underworld, but his greatest strength is his sense of duty. I like him because he keeps going even when he has lost almost everything and has no idea what the next disaster will be.

Fun fact: When Troy burned, Aeneas escaped carrying his dad on his back while leading his son by the hand!

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Horatius Cocles

Hero of the Bridge

Horatius Cocles was a legendary Roman soldier famous for defending a bridge against an enemy army. The story takes place soon after Rome got rid of its kings. An Etruscan army was approaching across the River Tiber, and if it crossed the wooden bridge, Rome could be attacked. Horatius stood at the narrow entrance while other Romans chopped the bridge down behind him. Once it was collapsing, he jumped into the river and, in the best-known version, swam safely back to Rome while enemies threw weapons at him. I think it is a brilliant hero story because Horatius did not need to defeat an entire army. He just needed to stop them for long enough.

Fun fact: Horatius supposedly jumped into the River Tiber wearing armour and swam home while an enemy army threw spears at him!

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Julius Caesar

The General Who Changed Rome

Julius Caesar was a real Roman general, politician and writer whose victories and death changed Rome forever. He was born in 100 BCE into an aristocratic family that claimed descent from Venus through Aeneas. Caesar conquered Gaul, defeated Roman rivals in a civil war and became dictator. He introduced reforms, including the calendar that developed into the one we use today. In 44 BCE, senators who feared his power assassinated him. Caesar could be daring, clever and generous, but he also pursued enormous personal power and led brutal wars. I think it is important to see both the brilliance and the damage.

Fun fact: Our month July is named after Julius Caesar.

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Camilla

The Swift Warrior Maiden

Camilla is a swift and fearless warrior from Virgil’s Aeneid. She fights on the Italian side against the Trojan hero Aeneas and is described as moving so quickly that she could run across a field without bending the corn or skim over the sea without wetting her feet. Camilla is not a securely recorded historical person. She belongs to epic poetry, where a character can be both human and larger than life. She leads soldiers, defeats experienced fighters and becomes one of the poem’s most exciting opponents. I like her because nobody in the battle doubts that she belongs at the front.

Fun fact: Camilla could run so lightly that poetry says she crossed fields without bending grain.

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