them, and a woodpecker constantly fed and watched them. These
creatures are esteemed holy to the god Mars; the woodpecker the
Latins still especially worship and honor. Which things, as much
as any, gave credit to what the mother of the children said, that
their father was the god Mars.

Meantime Faustulus, Amulius's swineherd, brought up the children
without any man's knowledge; or, as those say who wish to keep
closer to probabilities, with the knowledge and secret assistance
of Numitor; for it is said, they went to school at Gabii, and were
well instructed in letters, and other accomplishments befitting
their birth. And they were called Romulus and Remus (from "ruma",
the dug), because they were found suckling the wolf. In their very
infancy, the size and beauty of their bodies intimated their
natural superiority; and when they grew up, they both proved brave
and manly, attempting all enterprises that seemed hazardous, and
showing in them a courage altogether undaunted. But Romulus seemed
rather to act by counsel, and to show the sagacity of a statesman,
and in all his dealings with their neighbors, whether relating to
feeding of flocks or to hunting, gave the idea of being born
rather to rule than to obey. To their comrades and inferiors they
were therefore dear; but the king's servants, his bailiffs and
overseers, as being in nothing better men than themselves, they
despised and slighted, nor were the least concerned at their
commands and menaces. They used honest pastimes and liberal
studies, not esteeming sloth and idleness honest and liberal, but
rather such exercises as hunting and running, repelling robbers,
taking of thieves, and delivering the wronged and oppressed from
injury. For doing such things, they became famous.