HIST 1100: History and Civilization
©Damen, 2020
A Guide To Writing in History and Classics
Home
Index of Chapters
Syllabus
Course Description
 

Romulus is the name of Rome's legendary and, no doubt, fictional founder. His name which, roughly translated, means "little Rome" is a clear sign of that Romulus is piece of invented history. Augustus was Rome's first and arguably most famous Emperor, ruling during the turn of the millennium. The ending -ulus means "little" in Latin, so that Romulus Augustulus suggested to Romans "little Rome little Augustus." With a name which resonates of both the rise and triumph of Rome (both diminished as "little"), Romulus Augustulus is an appropriate—perhaps all too appropriate—character to play the last Roman Emperor. This is not to say that he never actually existed, only to suggest why this emperor was chosen as the final player in Roman history.

Return to Chapter 8

Home
Index of Chapters
Syllabus
Course Description