Definition

Proper noun 1. Founder of Rome: In Roman mythology, Romulus is the legendary founder and first king of the city of Rome. He and his twin brother Remus were the sons of the god Mars and the mortal Rhea Silvia. After being abandoned, they were suckled by a she-wolf. Romulus ultimately killed Remus during a dispute over where to build the city.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • According to legend, Romulus established the Roman Senate.
  • The story of Romulus and Remus is a foundational myth of ancient Rome.
  • Romulus is said to have named the city after himself.

Advanced Usage

• "Romulus and Remus": This phrase is almost always used together to refer to the twin founders. It is a set phrase denoting the origin myth.
  • The statue depicts Romulus and Remus being nursed by the she-wolf.
• "Age of Romulus": Can refer to the very early, mythical period of Roman history.
  • The Age of Romulus is shrouded in legend rather than documented history.

Variants and Related Words

• Romulan (adj): Pertaining to Romulus. (Note: This is primarily used in modern contexts, most famously for the alien species in whose home planet is named Romulus.)
• Romulean (adj): A rare, poetic adjective meaning "of or relating to Romulus."

Synonyms

• Founder of Rome: The primary synonym is a descriptive phrase, as the name itself is unique to this mythological figure.

Related Phrases

• "The Rape of the Sabine Women": A major event attributed to the reign of Romulus, where Roman men seized women from the neighboring Sabine tribe to populate the new city.
  • The story of Romulus includes the controversial episode of the Sabine Women.

Noun

1. (Roman mythology) founder of Rome; suckled with his twin brother Remus by a wolf after their parents (Mars and Rhea Silvia) abandoned them; Romulus killed Remus in an argument over the building of Rome