The number eight being the first
cube of an even number, and the double of the first square, seemed
to be am emblem of the steadfast and immovable power of this god,
who from thence has the names of Asphalius and Gaeiochus, that is,
the establisher and stayer of the earth.
Romulus
From whom, and for what reason, the city of Rome, a name so great
in glory, and famous in the mouths of all men, was so first
called, authors do not agree.
But the story which is most believed and has the greatest number
of vouchers in general outline runs thus: the kings of Alba
reigned in lineal descent from Aeneas, and the succession devolved
at length upon two brothers, Numitor and Amulius. Amulius proposed
to divide things into two equal shares, and set as equivalent to
the kingdom the treasure and gold that were brought from Troy.
Numitor chose the kingdom; but Amulius, having the money, and
being able to do more with that than Numitor, took his kingdom
from with great ease, and, fearing lest his daughter might have
children who would supplant him, made her a Vestal, bound in that
condition forever to live a single and maiden life. This lady some
call Ilia, others Rhea, and others Silvia; however, not long
after, contrary to the established laws of the Vestals, she had
two sons of more than human size and beauty, whom Amulius,
becoming yet more alarmed, commanded a servant to take and cast
away; this man some call Faustulus, others say Faustulus was the
man who brought them up.
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