The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends.This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth -- particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers:* Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquity* Examination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek "heroes"* Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek tales* Intelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual information* Argument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of RomeFresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.

Preface xiAbbreviations & Symbols xv1 Introducing Early Rome 1Introduction 11.1 What Is a "Myth"? 21.2 Types of Stories You Will Read in this Book 41.3 Literary Genres in this Book 71.4 Theoretical Approaches to Roman Myth 101.5 Chronology of Early Rome 11Conclusion 14Notes 14References 14Further Reading 152 Rome Before the City 17Introduction 17For Further Thought 202.1 The Earliest Italians 202.2 Inhabitants of the Site of Rome 262.3 Aeneas in Italy 322.4 Aeneas' Arrival in Latium 342.5 War in Italy 372.6 The Death of Aeneas and "Pater Indiges" 432.7 Ascanius, Silvius, and Lavinia: the Alban Dynasty 45Notes 50References 53Further Reading 533 Founding Rome 55Introduction 55For Further Thought 583.1 Conception, Birth, and Exposure 583.2 Youth of Romulus and Remus 653.3 Rome's Foundation 693.4 The Death of Remus 743.5 Wars with the Sabines 783.6 Death of Titus Tatius 863.7 Death and Apotheosis of Romulus 88Conclusion 91Notes 92References 95Further Reading 954 Images and Text 97Introduction 97For Further Thought 994.1 Mlacuch 994.2 Hercules and Juno 1014.3 Suckling Wolf 1044.4 Prophets 1084.5 Wolfman 1114.6 The Vibenna Brothers 1134.7 Vulca of Veii 119Conclusion 121Notes 122References 122Further Reading 1235 Rome's Kings 125Introduction 125For Further Thought 1285.1 The Interregnum (717-716) 1295.2 Numa (716-674) 1305.3 Tullus Hostilius (673-642) 1385.4 Tarquinius Priscus (616-578) 1455.5 Servius Tullius (578-535) 1555.6 Tarquin the Proud (534-509) 162Conclusion 173Notes 174References 177Further Reading 1776 Italy Outside Rome 179Introduction 179For Further Thought 1816.1 Greek Founders in Italy 1816.2 Hercules 1856.3 Diomedes in Italy 1876.4 Myths of Locri 1906.5 The "Sacred Spring" 1946.6 Caeculus of Praeneste 1966.7 Pomona and Vertumnus 197Conclusion 199Notes 200References 201Further Reading 2017 Rome's Women 203Introduction 203For Further Thought 2057.1 The Bona Dea 2067.2 Women of the Aeneid 2097.3 Acca Larentia 2137.4 Tarpeia 2157.5 Horatia 2197.6 Lucretia 2207.7 Cloelia 2267.8 Verginia 2287.9 Slave-women and the Nonae Caprotinae 230Conclusion 231Notes 232References 234Further Reading 2348 Rome's Heroes 237Introduction 237For Further Thought 2408.1 Brutus 2408.2 Publicola 2448.3 The War with Porsenna 2468.4. Porsenna Captures Rome? 2498.5 The Battle at Lake Regillus 2508.6 Stories of Self-sacrifice for Rome 2528.7 The 306 Fabii 2548.8 The Conflict of the Orders 2578.9 Camillus and Veii 2628.10 The Gallic Sack 265Conclusion 273Notes 274References 276Further Reading 2769 Conclusion 279References 281Appendix 1 Author Biographies 283Appendix 2 Greek Mythical Characters 291Appendix 3 Greek and Roman Gods 297Index 299