The Wolf at the Pope’s Door

capitolinewolf

One of the most famous wolves is the sculpture called The Capitoline Wolf, dating from the 10th Century and long thought to represent to founding of Rome.  The statue now depicts the twins Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf. The statue stood at the entrance to the Lateran Palace.  Records from the time period mention the wolf (as in executions were conducted “at the wolf” but no mention of the twins. Art historians believe that the twins were added at a later time to support the legend of Rome’s beginning.

The statue figured prominently with Mussolini who sent copies to various American cities before World War II in order to gain American support for his government.


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