"The Wolf at the Capitol at Rome."

This is a genuine antique engraving titled "The Wolf at the Capitol at Rome." It is in excellent condition and shows the statue depicting the mythical founders of Rome being suckled by a wolf. This engraving was published in an American literary and arts publication in the 1847. The print has been cleaned and is free of age toning and foxing spots. There is a thin vertical glue line in the right side margin where protective tissue had been attached to the paper. The dimensions of the print area are, minus margins, approx. 5.50 by 3.50 inches, and the overall size is approx. 10 by 6 inches. This is not a reproduction or reprint. It is vintage steel engraving, over 155 years old and guaranteed to be as described.

Price : $28

Item # 2381

According to the Roman legend, Romulus was the founder of Rome and Remus was his twin brother. Their story begins with their grandfather Numitor, king of the ancient Italian city of Alba Longa, was deposed by his brother Amulius. Numitor's daughter, Rhea Silvia, was made a Vestal Virgin by Amulius - this means that she was made a priestess of the godess Vesta and forbidden to marry. Nevertheless, Mars, the god of war, fell in love with her and she gave birth to twin sons.

Amulius, fearing that the boys would grow up to overthrow him, had them placed in a trough and thrown into the River Tiber. At that time the river was in flood, and when the waters fell, the trough, still containing the two boys, came ashore. They were found by a she-wolf who, instead of killing them, looked after them and fed them with her milk. A woodpecker also brought them food, for the woodpecker, like the wolf, was sacred to Mars.

Later the twins where found by Faustulus, the king's shepherd. He took them home to his wife and the two adopted them, calling them Romulus and Remus. They grew up as bold and strong young men, laeding a warlike band of shephards.

One day Remus was captured and brought before Numitor for punishment. Numitor noticing how unlike a shepherd's son he was, questioned him and before long realized who he was. Romulus and Remus than rose against Amulius, killed him and restored the kingdom to their grandfather.

Deciding to found a town of their own, Romulus and Remus chose the place where the she-wolf had nursed them. Romulus began to build walls on the Palatine Hill, but Remus jeered at them because they were so low. He leaped over them to prove this, and Romulus in anger killed him.