ound
it, Remus leapt over the wall, scorning it because it was mean and low;
and that Romulus slew him, crying out, "Thus shall every man perish that
shall dare to leap over my walls." Only others will have it that though he
perished for this cause Romulus slew him not, but a certain Celer. This
much is certain, that Romulus gained the whole kingdom for himself, and
called the city after his own name.

And now, having first done sacrifice to the Gods, he called a general
assembly of the people, that he might give them laws, knowing that without
laws no city can endure. And judging that these would be the better kept
of his subjects if he should himself bear something of the show of royal
majesty, he took certain signs of dignity, and especially twelve men that
should continually attend him, bearing bundles of rods, and in the midst
of the rods an axe; these men they called _lictors_. Meanwhile the city
increased, for the king and his people enlarged their borders, looking
rather to the greatness for which they hoped than to that which they had.
And that this increase might not be altogether empty walls without men,
Romulus set up a sanctuary, to which were gathered a great multitude of
men from the nations round about. All that were discontented and lovers of
novelty came to him. Nor did he take any account of their condition,
whether they were bond or free, but received them all. Thus was there
added to the city great strength. And the king, when he judged that there
was strength sufficient, was minded to add to the strength counsel.
Wherefore he chose a hundred men for counselors. A hundred he chose,
either because he held that number to be sufficient, or because there were
no more that were fit to bear this dignity and be called Fathers, for this
was the name of these counselors.

After this the people bethought themselves how they should get for
themselves wives, for there were no women in the place. Wherefore Romulus
sent ambassadors to the nations round about, praying that they should give
their daughters to his people for wives. "Cities," he said, "have humble
beginnings even as all other things. Nevertheless they that have the Gods
and their own valor to help become great. Now that the gods are with us,
as ye know, be assured also that valor shall not be wanting." But the
nations round about would not hearken to him, thinking scorn of this
gathering of robbers and slaves and runaways, so that they said, "Why do