Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my dear mummy, to Her Majesty the Queen and to my capital city, Rome. Yes, I really mean the city of Rome.


According to legend, on 21st April 753 B.C. Romulus, who was then to become the first King of Rome, drew the 'sacred furrow' on the Palatine hill, which was the first step towards the founding of the Eternal City. The anniversary came into vogue with the Risorgimento. Then it became a national holiday with fascism and was abolished in 1945. The celebration was renewed in 1994 with all its ceremonies. This weekend Rome will hold several festivals, concerts, and special events this weekend. Historical societies put on gladiator displays and performances in and around the forum area. There's usually a spectacular fireworks display by the Tiber River.

The story of Romulus, his twin brother Remus, and the founding of the city is one of the most familiar legends about ancient Rome. The basic legend about how Romulus came to be the first king of Rome begins with the god Mars impregnating a Vestal Virgin named Rhea Silvia, daughter of the rightful, but deposed king.

After the birth of Mars' sons Romulus and Remus, the king orders them to be left to die in the Tiber River. When the basket in which the twins were placed washes up on shore, a ‘lupa’ (wolf) suckles them and a woodpecker named Picus feeds them until the shepherd Faustulus finds the twins and brings them into his home.

When they grow up, Romulus and Remus restore the throne of Alba Longa to its rightful ruler, their maternal grandfather, and set out to found their own city.

Sibling rivalry leads Romulus to slay his brother and become the first king and founder of the city of Rome.