From the Tombs of Osteria dell’Osa to the Legend of Romulus: Reassessing the Foundation Narrative of Rome

Abstract

This study examines the early history of Rome’s founding, highlighting the contrast between the legendary narrative of Romulus and the archaeological evidence from the Osteria dell’Osa site, which indicates settlements dating back to the 10th and 9th centuries BC—well before the traditional founding date of the city (753 BC). The study also reveals a significant gap between historical and mythological accounts on one hand, and the material evidence showing the gradual development of Roman society from small agricultural villages to organized social structures on the other. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the study combines critical analysis of classical texts, archaeological methods, anthropological research, and ancient genetic data, while taking into account the symbolic dimension of the Romulus myth as a representation of emerging Roman identity. It concludes that the founding of Rome was not a sudden historical event, but the result of a cumulative, multi-dimensional process involving historical continuity, symbolic significance, and long-term cultural interactions. The study also emphasizes the need to reconsider the very concept of “founding,” positioned between the actual historical event and its legendary portrayal of collective identity.