The foundation myth of Remus and Romulus tells the tale of two brothers and their actions in the face of twisted fates, mighty gods and cruel realities. The Roman Republic (and later empire) and its people throughout its existence has accumulated many defining traits and social values such as bravery (virtus), uncompromising code of honor, faithfulness, piety, seriousness (gravitas) and respect/dignity. Regarded as written in the third century B.C. while elaborating the events of 750 B.C., this foundation myth serves to cement the already existing values in Roman society while giving a divine basis to Rome’s foundation.

While the usurping of King Numitor by Amulius is breaking the honor code of Romans that is at times regarded more important than one’s life, the twin brothers’ arduous journey in River Tiber and upbringing by a she-wolf symbolizes bravery and endurance in the harshest of circumstances. The fact that brothers ask for judgment from the divine gods is an example of piety and how Romulus kills Remus because he committed a bad omen by jumping over the foundations is illustrative of a blind commitment to traditions. These strongly believed values are also pervasive in the Roman military as well such as in their chantings, “Mars, exulte!” in honoring their favored god of war.

Since the West sees Ancient Greeks and later Romans as their ancestors, their values and codes can easily be found in modern western culture, albeit slightly altered iterations of them. The concepts of honor and integrity are still being taught in schools today, strangely by the same people who deceive each other to gain the slightest of advantages on a daily basis. Some armies retained their religious unity just like early Roman legions but others completely secularized. Faithfulness to the nation in Romans prevalent in their literature, “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” for example are still seemingly kept and in resurgence today in Europe in the midst of massive refugee crises; an abomination born from the corpse of what once was the eternal city of Rome.