Lupa Romana: Fake??

Most of you are already familiar with the bronze "Lupa Romana" sculpture. For those of you who don't here's a quick history: known as the oldest piece of Roman art, it depicts the legend of the twins Romulus and Remus rescued by a she-wolf who raised them. Long story short, Romulus kills Remus and the city is named "Rome."

Anyhow, the Romans apparently looked to this story and believed this legend to be true to the founding of their history. Unfortunately, it is true that no archaeological evidence can support this. But is there evidence that this legend existed?

It was up until the 60's that historians believed the wolf to be of Etruscan origin... because the Romans always stole art right? Wrong. The wolf was carbon dated by the wax, from the lost wax method used and turned out to be from the 13th century. And the babies you ask? They were added on during the 15th century aka the Renaissance. So the story of Romulus and Remus was wrong.

An explanation for this is simple. Modern interpreters always suggest that art (specifically Roman), was based on propaganda (Propaganda: that which we all want and demand it is given to us). But this is misunderstood. Roman art is just like all art- to raise awareness. We still do art in the same manner.

So alas, Roman art may not be fake, it just never disappeared.

Lupa Romana