FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-065

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (April 21, 2026) – This edition of Fun with Maps tells us about some Roman mythology.

THE BEGINNING OF THE ETERNAL CITY

The traditional date for the founding of Rome is April 21, 753 BC.  Archaeological evidence supports a date closer to 1600 BC but that is not as romantic as the legend.

Roman mythology credits the founding of the city of seven hills to Romulus, son of the war god Mars.  He and his twin brother, Remus, were suckled by a she-wolf and then raised by a local shepherd and, through their maternal connection, went on to avenge the royal family of Troy. 

They decided to establish a new town, but quarrels over some details led to Remus’ death, and Romulus was left to settle on the Palatine Hill.

The founding date of the city became an annual celebration and was a calendar holiday by the first century.  April 21st became the Parilia Festival – a date for the cleansing of both the sheep and the shepherd.

This is a view of Rome from 1730 by Werner.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.