Italian Myths & Legends
Romulus & Remus
Romulus and Remus were twin boys. Their mother was a princess and their father was the god of war, Mars. Her father, Numitor, was overthrown by his brother, Amulius. Amulius, was worried that someday Romulus and Remus would overthrow him so he put the boys in a basket and pushed down the Tiber River.
Amulius thought that he was safe now but a she-wolf found them. She took care of them and protected them until a shepherd found them. He raised them as his own. When they were grown up the twins became involved in a fight between Numitor, their grandfather, and Amulius, his brother. Remus was captured by the king. Romulus decided to free his brother. Amulius was killed and Numitor got his kingdom back.
The twins decided to go out and build a city of their own. They arrived in the area of the seven hills. They could not agree on which hill to build their city. They decided to ask the gods to decided. Remus saw 6 birds over his hill. Romulus saw 12 over his. Romulus claimed that he had won the argument. They began to argue again. Romulus killed Remus. Romulus built the city of Rome on the hill that he had chosen.
Amulius thought that he was safe now but a she-wolf found them. She took care of them and protected them until a shepherd found them. He raised them as his own. When they were grown up the twins became involved in a fight between Numitor, their grandfather, and Amulius, his brother. Remus was captured by the king. Romulus decided to free his brother. Amulius was killed and Numitor got his kingdom back.
The twins decided to go out and build a city of their own. They arrived in the area of the seven hills. They could not agree on which hill to build their city. They decided to ask the gods to decided. Remus saw 6 birds over his hill. Romulus saw 12 over his. Romulus claimed that he had won the argument. They began to argue again. Romulus killed Remus. Romulus built the city of Rome on the hill that he had chosen.
Androcles and the Lion
At the beginning the Christians were persecuted by the Romans. Androcles was a Christian. He was worried so ran away. He hid in a cave. He didn't realise that there was a lion in the cave. When the lion saw him he roared loudly but didn't move. Androcles was terrified. He was glued to the spot. He eventually realised that there were something wrong with the lion. He approached him carefully. He saw that there was a thorn in the lion's paw. Androcles pulled out the thorn carefully.
Not long afterwards Androcles was captured by Roman soldiers. He was sent to the Colosseum with other Christians to be killed. But the lion that was sent into the area was the lion that Androcles had helped. He is delighted to see him. As the lion jumps up to hug Androcles the crowd is stunned. The emperor gives Androcles and the lion their freedom. The crowd cheers.
Not long afterwards Androcles was captured by Roman soldiers. He was sent to the Colosseum with other Christians to be killed. But the lion that was sent into the area was the lion that Androcles had helped. He is delighted to see him. As the lion jumps up to hug Androcles the crowd is stunned. The emperor gives Androcles and the lion their freedom. The crowd cheers.