Happy Birthday, Ancient Rome!
Throughout the years, April 21 has been a hallmark of famous – and infamous – occasions. Queen Elizabeth II, ruler of the United Kingdom and soon-to-be great-grandmother to Prince George of Cambridge’s undoubtedly adorable younger sibling, was born on this day eighty-nine years ago. But in 1989, the Tiananmen Square protests began in China. But perhaps the most important April 21 anniversary is the founding of Rome, traditionally dated to this day in 753 B.C.
You may know the story of Romulus and Remus, two twin boys sired by the god Mars on the virgin Rhea Silvia, daughter of King Numitor of Alba Longa. Their evil great-uncle, Amulius, threw them out into the Tiber River and imprisoned their mother, and the two were suckled by a she-wolf and a woodpecker. Rom and Rem grew up under the protection of a shepherd, then avenged their family; after that, they decided to build a great city. Romulus ended up killing his twin – the reasons why vary – but, in doing so, became the sole founder and namesake of that city - Rome.
According to Plutarch’s Life of Romulus, “Now it is agreed that the city was founded on the twenty-first of April, and this day the Romans celebrate with a festival, calling it the birthday of their country.” At first, the festival remained blood-free – no animal sacrifices, says Plutarch. He claims they made April 21 a holiday because there was already a pastoral festival on that day; this Parilia, or Palilia, celebrated the shepherd goddess Pales. On that day, people offered a sacrifice for the prosperity of the cattle. But Dionysius of Halicarnassus disagrees with Plutarch on several counts, saying that April 21 was the day when Romulus and his subjects finished plowing a furrow of a wall around the soon-to-be city.
How can we history lovers celebrate Rome's big day? Here are four ways to ring in the occasion.
Fittingly, the American Institute for Roman Culture is set to launch its Ancient Rome Live initiative on April 21. This blended learning platform comes from historian Darius Arya, co-founder and CEO of the AIRC, who’s passionate about his city and its past.
Providing top-class scholarship in a digital format, ARL targets all grades of history enthusiast, both amateur and professional. It brings Rome to vivid, sparkling life with online courses and videos, among other features, and is sure to be popular with classicists and casual historians alike.More »
When in Rome, do as the Romans do! In that case, you'd better skip off to the Circus Maximus, the number one spot for chariot racing in antiquity. For Rome’s birthday, the Circus is hosting some good, (really) old-fashioned fun. Enjoy a bevy of ancient reenactments (perhaps a gladiator or two will strike a pose?) as schoolchildren soak up the real-life history in their very own backyard.More »
Serve up some dishes – sadly, not pizza! - the Roman way by following ancient recipes. Modern historians have recreated classical cuisine, often using the late antique recipes of Apicius in De Re Coquinaria (On Cooking). Books like A Taste of Ancient Rome, Around the Roman Table, and The Roman Cookery Book offer up guides to foods, ranging from the mundane, like meatballs and boiled turnips, to the exotic, such as stuffed mouse.More »
If you’re not able to travel to Rome or are not interested in eating mice, dive into a recent read about Rome. Barry Strauss of Cornell University recently released the stellar The Death of Caesar, which uncovers the hidden details of the conspiracy behind the dictator’s assassination.
Also new to shelves is Mastering the West, a tale of the epic Punic Wars with Rome (think Hannibal and his home city of Carthage, for one), by Dexter Hoyos from the University of Sydney. Looking for something a little less dude-ly? Try Paul Chrystal’s Women in Ancient Rome, an overview of the feminine in the Eternal City.Buy from Amazon »
You may know the story of Romulus and Remus, two twin boys sired by the god Mars on the virgin Rhea Silvia, daughter of King Numitor of Alba Longa. Their evil great-uncle, Amulius, threw them out into the Tiber River and imprisoned their mother, and the two were suckled by a she-wolf and a woodpecker. Rom and Rem grew up under the protection of a shepherd, then avenged their family; after that, they decided to build a great city. Romulus ended up killing his twin – the reasons why vary – but, in doing so, became the sole founder and namesake of that city - Rome.
According to Plutarch’s Life of Romulus, “Now it is agreed that the city was founded on the twenty-first of April, and this day the Romans celebrate with a festival, calling it the birthday of their country.” At first, the festival remained blood-free – no animal sacrifices, says Plutarch. He claims they made April 21 a holiday because there was already a pastoral festival on that day; this Parilia, or Palilia, celebrated the shepherd goddess Pales. On that day, people offered a sacrifice for the prosperity of the cattle. But Dionysius of Halicarnassus disagrees with Plutarch on several counts, saying that April 21 was the day when Romulus and his subjects finished plowing a furrow of a wall around the soon-to-be city.
How can we history lovers celebrate Rome's big day? Here are four ways to ring in the occasion.
1. Engage in Digital Learning with Ancient Rome Live
Fittingly, the American Institute for Roman Culture is set to launch its Ancient Rome Live initiative on April 21. This blended learning platform comes from historian Darius Arya, co-founder and CEO of the AIRC, who’s passionate about his city and its past.
Providing top-class scholarship in a digital format, ARL targets all grades of history enthusiast, both amateur and professional. It brings Rome to vivid, sparkling life with online courses and videos, among other features, and is sure to be popular with classicists and casual historians alike.More »
2. Head to the Circus Maximus for Some Roman Fun
When in Rome, do as the Romans do! In that case, you'd better skip off to the Circus Maximus, the number one spot for chariot racing in antiquity. For Rome’s birthday, the Circus is hosting some good, (really) old-fashioned fun. Enjoy a bevy of ancient reenactments (perhaps a gladiator or two will strike a pose?) as schoolchildren soak up the real-life history in their very own backyard.More »
3. Eat Like a Roman
Serve up some dishes – sadly, not pizza! - the Roman way by following ancient recipes. Modern historians have recreated classical cuisine, often using the late antique recipes of Apicius in De Re Coquinaria (On Cooking). Books like A Taste of Ancient Rome, Around the Roman Table, and The Roman Cookery Book offer up guides to foods, ranging from the mundane, like meatballs and boiled turnips, to the exotic, such as stuffed mouse.More »
4. Read, Read Again
If you’re not able to travel to Rome or are not interested in eating mice, dive into a recent read about Rome. Barry Strauss of Cornell University recently released the stellar The Death of Caesar, which uncovers the hidden details of the conspiracy behind the dictator’s assassination.
Also new to shelves is Mastering the West, a tale of the epic Punic Wars with Rome (think Hannibal and his home city of Carthage, for one), by Dexter Hoyos from the University of Sydney. Looking for something a little less dude-ly? Try Paul Chrystal’s Women in Ancient Rome, an overview of the feminine in the Eternal City.Buy from Amazon »
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