In Roman mythology, they were the twin sons of the priestess Rhea Silvia and fathered by the god of war Mars.

In Roman legend, the twin brothers who were raised by a she-wolf, founded the city of Rome.  Romulus killed his brother Remus in a dispute over the building of the city and then declared himself King of Rome (753-717 BC).  Roman historians traditionally set the date of Rome's founding at 753 BC.