April 21 - Remus and Romulus: The Legend of the Founding of Rome
Building Walls or Building Bridges
This is the day Romulus and Remus traditionally founded the city of Rome in 753 BC.
In today's lesson, we will explore the devastating consequences of mockery through the legendary tale of Rome's founding. What happens when we trivialize what others hold sacred? How can we recognize when our criticism has crossed from discernment into prideful derision? The ancient story of two brothers shows us how quickly ego can destroy both relationships and shared mission.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6 (NIV)
This Date in History
According to Roman mythology, on this day a momentous event unfolded on the Palatine Hill. Twin brothers stood divided over the boundaries of what would become one of history's greatest cities. This legendary tale, likely created centuries after Rome had already become powerful, tells of Romulus and Remus—foundational figures whose story blends myth with possible kernels of historical truth about Rome's earliest beginnings.
The mythical origin story begins with a threat to royal succession. King Numitor of Alba Longa was overthrown by his ambitious brother Amulius. To eliminate any future claimants to the throne, Amulius forced Numitor's daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a Vestal Virgin sworn to celibacy. However, according to legend, she was visited by the war god Mars and bore twin sons. When Amulius discovered the infants, he ordered them killed. Instead of executing them directly, servants placed the babies in a basket on the Tiber River, expecting the waters to carry out the death sentence.
The legend continues that their basket washed ashore safely where they were famously nursed by a she-wolf (lupa) before being discovered by a shepherd named Faustulus. This iconic image of the wolf nursing the twins became one of Rome's most enduring symbols. Raised among simple shepherds, the boys grew into natural leaders with exceptional strength and charisma. Eventually learning of their heritage, they gathered supporters, overthrew Amulius, and restored their grandfather Numitor to the throne of Alba Longa.
With ambitions beyond serving in their grandfather's court, the twins sought to establish their own city near the location of their miraculous rescue. However, brotherly cooperation deteriorated into rivalry. Both claimed the right to determine the city's exact location and name. Romulus preferred the Palatine Hill while Remus advocated for the Aventine. To resolve their dispute, they turned to augury—interpreting the flight of birds as divine signs. Remus spotted six vultures first, while Romulus later saw twelve. Each claimed victory based on different interpretations.
The mythological account reaches its climax on April 21, 753 BC. As Romulus began marking the sacred boundary (pomerium) of his planned city, Remus mockingly jumped over the newly constructed wall. Whether enforcing the sanctity of the boundary or in a fit of rage, Romulus killed his brother. With his rival eliminated, Romulus completed the founding rituals and named the settlement "Roma" after himself.
While modern historians recognize this dramatic tale as largely mythical, archaeological evidence confirms that settlements on Rome's hills date back to at least the 10th century BC. The story of Romulus and Remus provided Romans with a noble, divine origin narrative that justified their expansion and glorified their martial values. The traditional founding date became the cornerstone of Roman chronology, with years counted "ab urbe condita" (from the founding of the city).
This mythological foundation story offers powerful insights into how civilizations create narratives to explain their origins and values. Whether fact or fiction, April 21st continues to be celebrated as Rome's birthday (Natale di Roma), connecting modern Romans to their ancient heritage through this enduring legend that has shaped Western imagination for over two millennia.
Historical Context
Early Rome developed in a strategic location on the Tiber River, situated at a natural ford and bordered by seven defensible hills. This positioning gave the early settlement significant advantages for trade, security, and expansion. The region was inhabited by various Italic peoples, with the Etruscans dominating northern territories and Greek colonies established to the south. This cultural diversity influenced Rome's early development, with the Etruscans particularly shaping early Roman architecture, religious practices, and governmental structures.
The 8th century BC in the Mediterranean world witnessed significant developments that contextualize Rome's traditional founding. The Greeks had begun establishing colonies throughout the Mediterranean, spreading Hellenic culture and urban planning concepts. Phoenician traders were expanding their maritime network, and the first Olympic Games were recorded in 776 BC. These developments reflect a period of increasing commerce, cultural exchange, and city-state formation throughout the Mediterranean basin. Archaeological evidence confirms that various settlements existed on Rome's hills before the legendary founding date, suggesting a gradual process of community development and eventual unification rather than a single founding moment.
Did You Know?
The traditional founding date of Rome (753 BC) was calculated much later by the scholar Marcus Terentius Varro in the 1st century BC, using various historical records and legends to establish a chronological anchor point for Roman history.
Romans celebrated the city's birthday annually with a festival called Parilia, originally a shepherd's festival honoring the goddess Pales, which predated but became associated with Rome's founding.
The she-wolf that allegedly nursed Romulus and Remus might have originated from a linguistic misunderstanding—the Latin word "lupa" meant both female wolf and prostitute, suggesting the twins may have been interpreted as being rescued by a human woman.
The symbolic boundary that Romulus established (the pomerium) held tremendous religious and legal significance for centuries, marking the division between civil and military authority in Roman governance.
Early archaeological evidence on the Palatine Hill, including remains of huts and defensive structures dating to the 8th century BC, suggests a settlement existed around the time of Rome's legendary founding, though not necessarily established as dramatically as the myth suggests.
Today’s Reflection
The ancient legend of Rome's founding gives us a vivid image. A brother mockingly leaps over a freshly constructed boundary wall. Moments later, that act of contempt ends in bloodshed. Romulus kills Remus, and what could have been a shared beginning turns into a divided legacy.
This myth, though far removed from Christian doctrine, still tells a familiar story. Pride. Division. The refusal to honor boundaries someone else takes seriously. Scripture confronts that same impulse with clear, unflinching language:
"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." James 4:6 (NIV)
That principle cuts across centuries and cultures. Whether on an ancient hilltop or in a modern church foyer, the heart behind mockery remains the same. Pride distorts our vision. It blinds us to the value of others' callings, efforts, and obedience. And when we let that pride slip into our words, our tone, our sideways glances—we join a pattern Scripture warns us against again and again.
We see it in our churches. A new ministry begins. A worship style shifts. A small group starts something unfamiliar. Instead of encouragement, we offer critique. Instead of curiosity, we offer sarcasm. We mock, we nitpick, or we casually dismiss someone else's earnest attempt to serve God.
But let's be honest: that critical spirit we sometimes call "discernment" is often just spiritual immaturity wearing a mask. Scripture doesn't give us a free pass for cleverly disguised contempt.
"The tongue has the power of life and death." Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
That's not poetry. That's spiritual reality. When we use our words to tear down the efforts of fellow believers—especially those we simply don't understand—we are doing more than expressing an opinion. We are speaking death over someone else's calling. That kind of mockery breeds division. It discourages obedience. It grieves the Spirit of God.
You might be right in your observation. But being right doesn't give you the right to ridicule.
Sometimes our mockery isn't even about the ministry itself. It's about what it stirs in us. Someone else's faithfulness gets more attention than ours. Someone else's voice gets heard. Their approach seems less polished, less theological, or just different. And yet it's bearing fruit. That's when jealousy dresses itself up as "just being honest."
Paul speaks directly to this: "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable." 1 Corinthians 12:21–22 (NIV)
Indispensable. That's God's word, not ours.
The ones we are tempted to laugh at, overlook, or critique are often the ones carrying weight we don't even see. When we mock, we misunderstand the very design of the church. God built His kingdom on the foundation of variety. Not variety for entertainment's sake, but because different gifts are required to fulfill the fullness of His mission.
Spiritual maturity doesn't mean we never disagree. But it absolutely means we learn how to disagree without dishonor. It means we resist the impulse to mock what someone else is building just because it doesn't look like what we would have built. It means we submit our preferences to Christ and remember that our highest loyalty is not to a ministry style, a denominational culture, or a theological niche.
It is to Christ.
And if He's at work in someone else, even if we don't fully understand how—it's not our place to mock. It's our place to listen. To test all things, yes, but with humility and grace.
That path begins in the heart. Humility is the starting point.
It begins with asking God to reveal where pride has taken root. Where we've spoken too quickly. Where we've mistaken snark for strength. Where we've taken the sacred space of someone's calling and treated it like a punchline.
Are we building up, or are we tearing down? Are we speaking life, or are we undermining it?
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up… that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
God does not call us to unthinking acceptance of every idea. But He does call us to honor the sincere faith of others, even when we're unsure about their method. He calls us to weigh our words. To give grace. To guard against the kind of spiritual elitism that mistakes cleverness for holiness.
Is there someone you've ridiculed in your heart? A ministry you've dismissed? A faithful servant you've written off?
Ask the Spirit to show you. Humble yourself. Let go of the need to be right or superior.
Because the moment you trade mockery for mature engagement is the moment you make room for grace.
And grace is the ground where unity grows.
Practical Application
Choose a spiritual perspective or ministry approach you typically mock or dismiss. This week, intentionally seek out someone who embodies this approach and engage in a genuine conversation without criticism. Ask them why this approach matters to them and listen without interrupting or mentally formulating counterarguments. Journal about what you learned and what it revealed about your own need for growth. Then, find one specific way to affirm that person's sincere devotion to God, even if you still disagree with their method.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times our pride has led us to mock what we don't understand. We confess that we have sometimes valued being right over being loving, clever insights over caring hearts. Thank You for Your Word that cuts through our self-deception and exposes our need for humility.
Lord Jesus, You who humbled Yourself to serve even those who would deny You, reshape our hearts to value unity over superiority. Give us the wisdom to distinguish between necessary discernment and unnecessary criticism. Help us speak words that build up rather than tear down Your body. Grant us the maturity to honor the sincere faith of others, even when their expressions of devotion differ from our own. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Final Thoughts
True spiritual maturity is revealed not by how perfectly we judge others' approaches to faith, but by how graciously we engage with those whose spiritual journeys look different from our own. In God's kingdom, the most dangerous divide isn't between different methods but between hearts filled with pride and hearts filled with grace.
THIS IS THE DAY Last Year
April 21 - Answering “Here”: The Creation of the Aggie Muster
This is the day the first Aggie Muster is held as a remembrance for fellow Aggies who had died in the previous year in 1922.
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