which they hoped than to that which they had.  And that this increase might not be altogether empty walls without men, Romulus set up a sanctuary, to which were gathered a great multitude of men from the nations round about.  All that were discontented and lovers of novelty came to him.  Nor did he take any account of their condition, whether they were bond or free, but received them all.  Thus was there added to the city great strength.  And the king, when he judged that there was strength sufficient, was minded to add to the strength counsel.  Wherefore he chose a hundred men for counselors.  A hundred he chose, either because he held that number to be sufficient, or because there were no more that were fit to bear this dignity and be called Fathers, for this was the name of these counselors.

After this the people bethought themselves how they should get for themselves wives, for there were no women in the place.  Wherefore Romulus sent ambassadors to the nations round about, praying that they should give their daughters to his people for wives.  “Cities,” he said, “have humble beginnings even as all other things.  Nevertheless they that have the Gods and their own valor to help become great.  Now that the gods are with us, as ye know, be assured also that valor shall not be wanting.”  But the nations round about would not hearken to him, thinking scorn of this gathering of robbers and slaves and runaways, so that they said, “Why do ye not open a sanctuary for women also that so ye may find fit wives for your people?” Also they feared for themselves and their children what this new city might grow to.  Now when the ambassadors brought back this answer the Romans were greatly wroth, and would take by force that which their neighbors would not give of their free will.  And to the end that they might do this more easily, King Romulus appointed certain days whereon he and his people would hold a festival with games to Neptune; and to this festival he called all them that dwelt in the cities round about.  But when many were gathered together (for they were fain to see what this new city might be), and were now wholly bent on the spectacle of the games, the young men of the Romans ran in upon them, and carried off all such as were unwedded among the women.  To these King Romulus spake kindly, saying, “The fault is not with us but with your fathers, who dealt proudly with us, and would not give you to us in marriage.  But now ye shall be held in all honor as our wives, and shall have your portion of all that we possess.  Put away therefore your anger, for ye shall find us so much the better husbands than other men, as we must be to you not for husbands only but parents also and native country.”