Casa Romuli (Hut of Romulus), Rome

The Casa Romuli, also known as the Hut of Romulus, holds great significance as the reputed dwelling place of Romulus, the legendary founder and first king of Rome. Situated on the south-western corner of the Palatine Hill, it was positioned where the hill slopes down towards the Circus Maximus, near the "Steps of Cacus."

The Casa Romuli was a traditional single-roomed peasants' hut of the Latins, featuring a straw roof and wattle-and-daub walls. Similar structures can be seen in the miniature reproductions found in the distinct funerary urns of the Latial culture, which existed from approximately 1000 to 600 BC.

Throughout the centuries, the Casa Romuli suffered damage from fires and storms. However, it was meticulously restored to its original state on each occasion. Historical records indicate that the casa was destroyed by fire in 38 BC during a ceremony conducted by the pontifices, the College of High Priests. It is believed that this ceremony involved a burnt sacrifice to Romulus in his deified state as the god Quirinus, and the altar-fire may have gotten out of control.

Another Casa Romuli is mentioned in classical sources, located on the Capitoline Hill. This second hut was likely a replica of the original and was last mentioned in AD 78. Despite its historical significance, archaeologists have been unable to definitively associate the Casa Romuli with any extant remains.

However, there is a strong candidate for the Casa Romuli's location based on archaeological findings from 1946. During excavations, a group of dwellings with foundations were uncovered in the appropriate area. Among them, the largest dwelling had its foundations carved into the tufa bedrock, forming an ovoid perimeter measuring 4.9 meters by 3.6 meters. Within this perimeter, six post-holes arranged in a circle, with one in the center, were likely intended to support the walls and roof of the hut. Organic materials discovered at the site have been dated to the Italian early Iron Age, roughly ranging from 900 to 700 BC.

Although further research and investigation are needed to establish a definitive link, this discovery presents a compelling case for the association of these foundations with the Casa Romuli, providing insight into the dwelling where Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, may have resided.