The history of Rome began on the Palatine Hill with the story of Romulus and Remus. Rome was founded in 753 BC, but the story begins about 440 years earlier with the fall of Troy, when Aeneas fled from burning Troy and eventually traveled to Latium (present day Italy). Here, he married the daughter of King Latinus, Lavinia, and after a war with one of her other suitors, established Alba Longa. Fast forward to 753 BC. Numitor is the king of Alba Longa, but his brother Amulius steals the throne and forces Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, to become a vestal virgin (so that she couldn't have children). Unfortunately, Mars (the god of war) rapes Rhea Silvia and impregnates her with twin sons, Romulus and Remus. When they are born, Amulius has them thrown into the Tiber to die, but a lupa (she-wolf) finds them, and a shepherd and his wife raise them. Once they grow up, they learn of their true origins and go back to Alba Longa where they kill Amulius and reinstate Numitor to the throne. They decide to establish their own city where the lupa found them on a hill by the river. Romulus chose the Palatine, but Remus wanted to use a different hill. They fought, and Romulus ended up killing Remus, established Rome on the Palatine, and became the first king of Rome.
As it developed, the city was heavily influenced by the Etruscans and, when Romulus died, they put their first kings in place. Thus, it makes sense that that Roman religion would be influenced by the Etruscans and that the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill was originally Etruscan. This meant that it was built with wooden columns, a terracotta roof, and terracotta sculptures as decoration on the pediment.
The Romans did not have a sacred text, but in times of crisis, they looked to the Sybiline books, which were kept in this temple. Roman processions ended at the temple to give thanks to Jupiter for military victories and his protection by leaving some of the spoils in the temple. Since the temple was made of wood, fires destroyed it, and the only part that remains is the foundation, which can be seen in the museum.
As it developed, the city was heavily influenced by the Etruscans and, when Romulus died, they put their first kings in place. Thus, it makes sense that that Roman religion would be influenced by the Etruscans and that the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill was originally Etruscan. This meant that it was built with wooden columns, a terracotta roof, and terracotta sculptures as decoration on the pediment.
The Romans did not have a sacred text, but in times of crisis, they looked to the Sybiline books, which were kept in this temple. Roman processions ended at the temple to give thanks to Jupiter for military victories and his protection by leaving some of the spoils in the temple. Since the temple was made of wood, fires destroyed it, and the only part that remains is the foundation, which can be seen in the museum.