Roma with She-Wolf, Romulus, and Remus above the Tiber River [reverse] 1538

This bronze medal was crafted by Leone Leoni in the 16th century, featuring Roma, the goddess of Rome, above the Tiber River. Beside her, the iconic she-wolf suckles Romulus and Remus. The Tiber, personified as a reclining, bearded man, anchors the scene. The image of the she-wolf nourishing the twins is ancient, a powerful symbol of Rome’s legendary origins. We see echoes of this motif in earlier Etruscan and Roman art, adapted from the mythological foundation of the city. It carries the weight of cultural memory, tapping into a collective psyche. But why a wolf? Perhaps it evokes the primal, untamed origins of civilization itself. Consider how this nurturing yet ferocious animal evolved—a symbol adopted and reshaped through time, reflecting shifting political and cultural identities. Such images are not static; they are dynamic carriers of emotional and psychological meaning. The emotional power of this imagery resides in its ability to connect us to the foundational myths of a civilization, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The tale is not told linearly but resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, rippling through the ages.