Classical Mythology

(^654) THE NATURE OF ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
Mars and Rhea Silvia, by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Oil sketch on canvas, 1616-1617;
21 l/2 x 29V4 in. Mars, in armor, rushes impetuously toward the Vestal Virgin. Already a
cupid has removed his helmet, and another (with a quiver of arrows) is unbuckling his
breastplate. Rhea looks at him with mixed emotions, including fear and love. The setting
is the temple of Vesta, whose sacred fire burns on the altar in front of the Palladium. The
sketch may have been intended for a tapestry, since Athena's spear and shield are re-
versed (her shield would normally be on the left arm) and Mars' sword is on his right
side. (Courtesy of the Collections of the Prince of Liechtenstein, Vaduz Castle.)
sun], and at the same time high up a bird flew on the left, by far the most beau-
tiful bird of augury. At the same time the golden sun rose, and thrice four sa-
cred bodies of birds flew from the heavens and settled in the lucky places of
good omen. Then Romulus saw that the throne and land of the kingdom had
been given to him as his own by augury.
In Ennius' account, Romulus and Remus watch from different parts of the
Aventine and the birds appear only to Romulus. In later versions, Romulus
watched from the Palatine Hill, Remus from the Aventine. The first omen, six
vultures, appeared to Remus, and then twelve appeared to Romulus. In the en-
suing quarrel as to whether the winner was he who saw more birds or he who
saw the omen first, Remus was killed. Romulus gave his name to the new city
of Rome and became its king.