She-wolf: An evolution of Roman symbolism
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Deborah Chatr Aryamontri
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
The historical foundations of Roman civilization are intrinsically connected to mythic symbolism. The Capitoline She-Wolf statue traditionally represents the mythological tale of Rome’s creation, wherein the demigod founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, defy death thanks to the She-Wolf’s intervention. A persistent symbol of Roman culture since the beginning, the She-Wolf has undergone interpretational transformations over the centuries. In antiquity, the She-Wolf reflected various ideals including the belief that gods and nature approved of Rome’s cultural dominance and the notion that, like wolves in nature, Roman society preys upon weaker civilizations in order to thrive. As centuries passed, philosophical thinking evolved and so did interpretations of the She-Wolf. During the Middle Ages, the statue was reimagined with new religious connotations that coincide with the European shift from paganism to Christianity. Academic study in the medieval era was characterized by the desire to recycle ancient concepts to represent the development of new ideas, and the She-Wolf was no exception. The She-Wolf continues to be a prominent symbol that represents the proverbial “soul” of Roman virtues. In the 20th century, it was repurposed as a political tool to further the agenda of Benito Mussolini. Mussolini sought to legitimize his government by drawing comparisons between the renowned Rome of antiquity and the Fascist regime. This paper analyzes written sources to examine the various social, political, and cultural trends that have influenced interpretations of the She-Wolf throughout the ages, evaluating how and why ancient symbols are reinterpreted to suit different social contexts and ideologies.
She-wolf: An evolution of Roman symbolism
The historical foundations of Roman civilization are intrinsically connected to mythic symbolism. The Capitoline She-Wolf statue traditionally represents the mythological tale of Rome’s creation, wherein the demigod founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, defy death thanks to the She-Wolf’s intervention. A persistent symbol of Roman culture since the beginning, the She-Wolf has undergone interpretational transformations over the centuries. In antiquity, the She-Wolf reflected various ideals including the belief that gods and nature approved of Rome’s cultural dominance and the notion that, like wolves in nature, Roman society preys upon weaker civilizations in order to thrive. As centuries passed, philosophical thinking evolved and so did interpretations of the She-Wolf. During the Middle Ages, the statue was reimagined with new religious connotations that coincide with the European shift from paganism to Christianity. Academic study in the medieval era was characterized by the desire to recycle ancient concepts to represent the development of new ideas, and the She-Wolf was no exception. The She-Wolf continues to be a prominent symbol that represents the proverbial “soul” of Roman virtues. In the 20th century, it was repurposed as a political tool to further the agenda of Benito Mussolini. Mussolini sought to legitimize his government by drawing comparisons between the renowned Rome of antiquity and the Fascist regime. This paper analyzes written sources to examine the various social, political, and cultural trends that have influenced interpretations of the She-Wolf throughout the ages, evaluating how and why ancient symbols are reinterpreted to suit different social contexts and ideologies.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.