FfFfFfFF 58,120 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 A monument that was buried thousands of years ago and revered by ancient Romans as the resting place of their city's mythical founder Romulus has now been rediscovered beneath the Forum in Rome. The underground monument and the temple built around it are thought to date from the sixth century B.C., according to archaeologists. They were discovered by archaeologists in a chamber beneath the Roman Forum, the political heart of the Roman empire, and includes a 2,600-year-old sarcophagus and a circular stone structure that is believed to have been an altar. Archaeologists' findings may even prove Rome a century older than thought. Ancient Romans believed the monument held the remains of their city's founder, but the stone sarcophagus that archaeologists just found inside is empty. The underground temple — called a "hypogeum" in Greek — contains a votive altar that was dedicated to Romulus, said Alfonsina Russo, the director of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, which oversees the city's ancient ruins. “It is not the tomb of Romulus but a place of memory where the cult of Romulus was celebrated, a cenotaph,” Russo said. “It is also not his tomb, as some sources say that Romulus was killed and cut into pieces, while others say he was taken up to heaven as god Quirinus.” However, Russo believes there is some truth in the legend: “All legends and myths have a kernel of truth and I am convinced there was a founding hero.” Romulus was the legendary founder of Rome said to have lived in the eighth century B.C. — but most historians think he did not exist in reality. According to legend, Romulus and his twin brother Remus were the grandsons of Numitor, the deposed king of the Latin city of Alba Longa — the sons of his daughter, Rhea Silvia, and the war god Mars in human form. When the new king of Alba Longa ordered the infants Romulus and Remus thrown into the Tiber, the story goes, they were instead abandoned on the river bank; there, they were rescued by a she-wolf, who raised them until they were found by a shepherd. Sources: https://www.livescience.com/sarcophagus-romulus-discovered.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/21/rome-unveil-shrine-city-mythical-founder-romulus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreu 37,216 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I absolutely love how you bring these type of news here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
River 127,459 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I didn't know that you're interested in archaeology I did my master on prehistory and Zooarchaeology So sploosh your juice all over me you Riverboy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
audrey horne 1,180 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Here for more mythologies content ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killa 18,822 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Youre coming through with the archeology. Sleee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Temptation 11,209 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Rome is currently the only city I am dying to visit, and i am not even a city person. One day... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calmar 22,768 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 A cenotaph, that's kinda neat. 1 minute ago, Lord Temptation said: Rome is currently the only city I am dying to visit, and i am not even a city person. One day... I almost got run over as a child in Rome. Not sure if I wanna go back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Temptation 11,209 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, calmar said: A cenotaph, that's kinda neat. I almost got run over as a child in Rome. Not sure if I wanna go back I think we all had a near-death experience as a child, but we should never let that keep us from exploring the future and the past The fact you survived tells you that Rome is awaiting your triumpant return Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calmar 22,768 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 1 minute ago, Lord Temptation said: The fact you survived tells you that Rome is awaiting your triumpant return I also put a coin in the Fontana di Trevi and said I'd be back, so I guess I kinda have to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow 6,697 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Very cool! As Italian, this type of event feels surreal... Stand in the light, cast your shadow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Temptation 11,209 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 14 minutes ago, calmar said: I also put a coin in the Fontana di Trevi and said I'd be back, so I guess I kinda have to Wow, that’s so cool and brilliant and poetic and suspensful at the same time! Now it’s a must. If and when I ever visit Rome I also plan to head to the beaches of Sardinia, check them out on Instagram omg they look out of this world (and i come Australia which already has some spectacular coast) not to mention all the ancient Roman and Greek and Etruscan ruins Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannaeDrive 3,412 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Archaeology threads on GGD? Another reason to not quit this cult site Can't wait for that Neanderthal hit thread "Fame Is A Boomerang" - Maria Callas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calmar 22,768 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 25 minutes ago, Lord Temptation said: Wow, that’s so cool and brilliant and poetic and suspenseful at the same time! Now it’s a must. If and when I ever visit Rome I also plan to head to the beaches of Sardinia, check them out on Instagram omg they look out of this world (and i come Australia which already has some spectacular coast) not to mention all the ancient Roman and Greek and Etruscan ruins It would be so cool to see the Mediterranean islands one day like Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, etc. (I've done a brief thing in Santorini, but I'm excluding that here.) I'd also like to go back knowing that I'm adult with much more knowledge of history, architecture, archaeology, and culture than I did at age 9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleepBloop 10,316 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Ah, reminds me of the times when I almost decided to go study archeology but then changed my mind and went to a tech uni Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Temptation 11,209 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 49 minutes ago, Sneaky said: Ah, reminds me of the times when I almost decided to go study archeology but then changed my mind and went to a tech uni Never too late to become a 21st century Indiana Jones in tight pants Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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