Ancient Brooch of Romulus and Remus Found in Spain

The Department of Culture of the Generalitat Valenciana has announced the discovery of a unique silver brooch depicting the iconic scene of Remus and Romulus, the twin founders of Rome, being nurtured by a she-wolf.

This rare discovery happened during digs at Vilanova d’Alcolea, a spot in Spain thought to be an old post office in Roman times. Josep Carbó, heading the team of archaeologists, called it an outstanding find because it’s so rare and well-made.

Romulus and Remus are important characters in ancient Roman stories. They were twins, born to Rhea Silvia in the city of Alba Longa. These twins were the grandsons of King Numitor, who had been removed from his throne.

King Amulius, Numitor’s brother, felt threatened by the twins’ possible right to rule, so he commanded that the babies be left by the Tiber River, as reported by Archaeology Mag.

Romulus and Remus saved by a she-wolf

A she-wolf found the twins and nursed them in a cave called Lupercal near the Palatine Hill in Rome. When they grew up and learned about their royal background, Romulus and Remus sought justice for their family.

They helped their grandfather, Numitor, regain his throne as the rightful king. However, a disagreement between the brothers ended in tragedy, with Romulus accidentally killing Remus.

Despite this sorrowful event, Romulus continued to build the city of Rome, becoming its first leader, according to Archaeology Mag.

The silver brooch, which is about 4 centimeters in size and from around the 2nd century CE, shows the famous moment of the she-wolf caring for the twins when they were babies. This scene has been linked to the beginning of Rome since around the 3rd century BCE.

The place where they found the brooch is also important. It’s near the Via Augusta, the longest Roman road in Roman Hispania.

15th Feb LUPERCALIA, PARENTALIA AND FEBRUARIUS
Lupercalia was a Roman feast of purification, dedicated to the she-wolf who the Romans believed saved Romulus and Remus who were the traditional founders of the City of Rome. pic.twitter.com/hrWKctPxwG

— Roman History (@romanhistory1) February 15, 2024

People think it used to be an official post of the Roman Empire, serving officials and travelers. Being close to this old road makes finding the brooch even more significant, as reported by Archaeology Mag.

Archaeologist Josep Carbó highlighted the importance of the find, saying, “It is an exceptional piece due to its rarity and quality since there are very few pieces of this type that have been studied.”

In Vilanova, also known as the Ildum Mansion, some of the most important Roman-era discoveries in the Valencian Community have been made in recent years.

A “mansion” was like a modern rest stop. It was part of the Roman Empire’s official postal service, offering a place for officials and travelers to rest. These mansions also provided a service where travelers could change horses to keep the postal system running smoothly, as reported by El Periódico de España.