Discourses on Livy · Character

Romulus

Rome's founder, who killed his brother and a Sabine king to secure a new state, offered by Machiavelli as the model of necessary violence.

supporting

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in Discourses on Livy, Romulus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Founder of Rome; his actions in establishing the city and its early institutions are discussed, including the necessity of his fratricide for the founding.

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Romulus stands at the origin of Rome as the man who understood that founding a city requires deeds no ordinary morality can sanction. Machiavelli cites his killing of Remus and Titus Tatius not as crime but as the grim precondition of lasting institutions, arguing that a founder must sometimes act alone and without apology. His example anchors the Discourses' recurring claim that good ends can justify terrible means.

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Character Web

9 connections

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Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Early Roman Kings
Protagonist
Historical and Political Examples
Founders and Tyrants

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the Claudian censor, driven by the family’s ingrained haughti…

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Relationships

Numa
friendship · positive
Numa Pompilius, the peaceful second king of Rome, succeeded Romulus, the warlike founder,… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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See Romulus in I

In the story

Romulus appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I
Founder of Rome; his actions in establishing the city and its early institutions are discussed, including the necessity of his fratricide for the founding.
I
Founder of Rome, either as a native or stranger, whose laws instituted strict discipline.
Of the various kinds of government; and to which of them the Roman commonwealth belonged.
Noted as one of Rome's early kings who made good laws but aimed at a kingdom, not a commonwealth.
Chapter IX
Founder of Rome who killed his brother Remus and consented to the death of Titus Tatius; excused because his actions were for the common good and he later created a senate.
Chapter X
Praised as a founder who restored Rome, in contrast to Caesar who destroyed it.
Of the religion of the Romans
First founder of Rome; his institutions were insufficient, leading to the selection of Numa.
XVIII
Mentioned for killing his brother and Titus Tatius to secure sole authority, yet his people were not deeply corrupt.
XIX
First king of Rome, fierce and warlike, whose valour laid the foundation for the city's strength.
XLIX
One of the early lawgivers of Rome, providing initial ordinances.
Book II
Founder of Rome, exemplar of virtuous leadership and expansion.

Chapter companion notes

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See Romulus in I

See Romulus in Book I