Romulus is the eponymous city founder of Rome, the capital of Italy. He was the son of Mars, the god of war, and Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin. According to legend, ROMULUS and his twin brother Remus were abandoned as infants in the Tiber River and were rescued by a she-wolf. ROMULUS founded the city of Rome in 753 BC and became its first king. He is remembered for his military prowess and for establishing the Senate.