Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

Chap. 7.
ROMAN HISTORY.
2S
history oF his grand-sons, how they were born, brought
up, and discovered; and also informs them of the mur¬
der of the tyrant, at the same time acknowledging,
that it did not happen without his consent. Then the
young princes, making their way through the middle of
the crowd, with their attendants, saluted their grand¬
father king; of which the multitude echoing shouts of
approbation, confirmed to him at once, the prerogative,
as well as the title of king.
Numitor being thus recognized king of Alba, Romulus
and Remus became passionately fond of building a city
on the very spot where they had been exposed ami
brought up. A number, both of Trojans and Albans,
could well enough be spared, at>d the shepherds had al¬
ready acceded to the motion, who altogether were easily-
induced to hope, that in future times. Alba and Lavi-
nia would only be looked upon as inconsiderable villages,
compared with the city they were about to build. These
views were afterwards interrupted by ambition, an here¬
ditary evil, which though it was attended with no sort
of acrimony at first, had an event sufficiently tragical.
As the brothers were twins, and the respect due to
seniority could make no distinction, they agreed that the
tutelar gods of the country should decide by Augury ♦,
which of the two should give a name and laws to the
new city, when built. Romulus cfioosed the Palatine,
and Remus the Aventine mount, for making their re¬
spective observations.
CHAP. VII. Remus killed.
R^EMUS, it is said, had the first omen, namely, six
Vultures: but he had hardly made his report, when
double the number appeared to Romulus; upon which
* At avium geslu, vel garrilu, first invented in Chaldea, thence
transmitted to Greece, thence to the Tuscans, and by them
communicated to the Latins and Romans. In taking an Augury
the observer stood on a tower, with bis head covered with a
gown peculiar to his office,calledLsna, and turning his face to
the east, marked out the heavens into four temples, or quarters,
with hts litus or short rod, after which he stood waiting for the
omen, which always gained most credit when confirmed by another-
similar to it.