Roman legends are characterized by combining human beings with mythical animals and fantastic elements of nature. Many of them aim to tell the story of the foundation of Rome, others allow us to understand the history and worldview of one of the greatest civilizations of Western culture. We will see below 10 of the most popular Roman legends .

10 popular Roman legends

Among other things, Roman legends tell of imaginary events, with immortal idols that accomplish great deeds. Many of these narrations have to do with the main points of the city and with fantastic elements that surround them; while others have more to do with Greco-Roman myths . The latter are understood as fabulous narrations that explain reality in a non-rational way, but with great symbolic and cultural content.

Following this description, we will immediately see 10 important legends of Roman culture.

1. Hercules and Cacus

“Hercules and Cacus” is the name of a sculpture in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. It represents one of the episodes narrated by Virgil, where Hercules defeats the evil of the giant half man half satyr, Cacus . They say that Cacus had stolen some red oxen that were grazing in the valley of the Tiber.

Soon, Hercules discovered the theft, but he could not find the oxen or the person responsible. It wasn’t until he entered Cacus’ cave that he finally found them, and as punishment he dismembered him. Historical and anthropological explanations of this legend say that it is key to understanding the commercial evolution of the area as well as the beginnings of the cult of Hercules.

2. The she-wolf

This legend is one of the many explanations for the foundation of Rome, as it represents the union of people from different civilizations, in constant contact with mythical animals. It comes from the mother of the twins Romulus and Remus, saved from murder by a servant who gave them a chance to escape through the waters of the river Tiber . On the banks of the river was a she-wolf, who heard the crying of the little ones and dragged them into a cave where she looked after them for a while.

It was until Pastor Faustulo came, when the children were taken to Acca Larentia (Pastor’s wife). Thus, Romulus and Remus would grow up among humans and with their children. The symbol of the she-wolf, represents since then the sacred animal of different ethnic groups : sacred God of the Manners, God of the Sabines, animal defender of the Latins and purifying and fertilizing God of the Etruscans. He is also the founder of the cult of the Mother Goddess, representative of the genesis of life and the quality of protection.

3. Circe and the King Peak

Pico is remembered as a prophet son of Saturn and father of Faun, as well as husband of Canente the nymph . As Faunus was the father of the Latin king, Pico is considered by some as the first king of Lazio. It is said that he was a diviner, of primitive appearance, always accompanied by a woodpecker (hence the name “Pico”). From Pico the soothsayer, the woodpecker is recognized as a prophetic bird.

They also say that by not reciprocating the love of Circe, the sorceress of the island of Aea, the latter definitely turned Pico into a woodpecker, retaining the same divining and prophetic powers that he had always had.

4. The Passetto di Borgo

Also known as “El passetto”, this walled road that links the Vatican with the castle of sant’angelo, has even been the setting for science fiction films. Originally, this 800-metre long road, built in 1277, served as an escape route for many popes. In other words, it was fundamental for the escape of clergymen who were in danger from wars, looting and invasions .

In fact, in some films, novels and video games this is represented by its direct access to the Vatican. Legend has it that whoever crosses this path about 70 times will have good luck and be able to escape from his troubles.

5. Mazzamurelli Alley

Legend has it that there are some whimsical spirits, similar to elves, who live in a narrow street in Trastevere. They are known as the “Mazzamurelli” and there are different versions about the powers of these spirits .

Some say that they have the function of protecting the individual and the people. They say they could give the Romans archangel qualities, and at other times turn their soul into a little devil. It is also said that they live in the alley because there is a haunted house from the 19th century, where a man who pretended to be a magician who saw demons lived.

6. The Castle of Sant Angelo (Castel de Sant’Angelo)

On one side of the Tiber River, the third longest in Italy, there is a large monument that began as the mausoleum of Hadrian, Roman emperor from the years 117 to 138. The castle is named after a legend that saved it from the plague epidemic in the 590s.

It is said that in the same year, during a procession commanded by Pope Gregory the Great , an archangel appeared over the castle holding a sword in his hands. Shortly afterwards, the plague disappeared completely; a miracle that was attributed to the archangel. Since then, a statue was placed on the mausoleum, in commemoration of this event. To this day the same statue has received various restorations.

7. The tomb of Nero and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo

After being declared a “public enemy” of Rome, due to the period of tyranny and the mass executions he had carried out, Emperor Nero was forced to leave the city. It is said that when he arrived in Piazza di Poppolo (People’s Square) he was ready to commit suicide with the help of Epaphroditus, his secretary. The latter stabbed him just before a Roman soldier arrived at his location. He was buried in the same square and soon after, the Roman dynasty took care of the disappearance of his works, writings and other objects that reminded him of his existence.

They say that since then the ghost of Nero appeared in the place where he was buried . They also say that some people, practitioners of black magic, performed numerous rituals around his grave. They say that in the same place a walnut tree grew that marked the exact spot where the emperor’s remains lay. For the same reason the walnut tree was considered cursed, and in the year 1099 an exorcism was performed at Nero’s tomb.

The latter after Pope Paschal II claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary indicating to cut down the walnut tree, dig up Nero’s remains, burn them and finally throw them into the river Tiber. This happened and immediately afterwards a chapel was built dedicated to the Virgin, to thank her for the exorcism. In 1472 a basilica (the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo) was built on the site of Nero’s tomb.

8. Mute cup

They say there was a water nymph named Lara. After having offended Jupiter, the main god of Roman mythology, the latter took away Lara’s tongue. On his return to earth, Jupiter commissioned Mercury to accompany and protect her. However, Mercury took advantage of the fact that Lara no longer had a tongue, and raped her.

As a result of this, Lara gave birth to a pair of twins (the Lares gods), who were in charge of protecting and guarding the city’s borders afterwards. Since then Lara was known as Tacita Muda, the goddess of silence . Currently, there are celebrations and rituals in honor of Lara, which not only remind the value of silence and prudence, but also denounce the association of these values with women and question the culture of rape.

9. The Dark Gods

The Dioscuros (a term that means “sons of zeus” in Greek), are two mythical twin heroes, named Castor and Pollux, with great fighting and riding skills. They are remembered for rescuing maidens, as well as avenging offenses and numerous deaths. These heroes are found in the Gemini constellation and have also been entrusted with the care of sailors, as it is believed that they appear as a kind of fireball produced during thunderstorms .

The Roman legend about the Dioscuros tells that the latter fought in the Battle of Lake Regilo, in which the Romans defeated the Latins. They are said to have appeared over the spring of the forum of Rome, where a temple was built in their honour. Since then, the fountain next to it was considered sacred, and this spring was the main site of many festivities celebrating the Dioscuri.

10. Tiber Island

Located on one side of the Tiber River, the Tiber Island is famous for housing the temple to Aesculapius, the Roman god of medicine. Legend has it that this island was formed after the fall of the last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius the Magnificent. As punishment for his despot and tyrant rule, the Roman settlers threw his body into the Tiber River. Soon the Tiber Island was formed and the explanation was that sediment had accumulated on the king’s body, including the grains of wheat that Tarquinius had accumulated.

Due to its dark origin, this island provoked fear in the Romans, who saw it as a sign of bad omen . Shortly afterwards, an epidemic of plague stopped just after a snake (symbol of the god of medicine) took refuge on the island. It was then that the monument to Aesculapius was built and the inhabitants began to visit the Tiber Island without fear.