But if the founders of the city, the date of its erection, and the circumstances under which its citizens were assembled be altogether doubtful, as will subsequently be shown, assuredly the history of events that occurred four centuries previous must be involved in still greater obscurity.

The legend of AEneas, when he first appears noticed as a progenitor of the Romans, differs materially from that which afterwards prevailed.

Romulus, in the earlier version of the story, is invariably described as the son or grandson of AEneas.

He is the grandson in the poems of Naevius and Ennius, who were both nearly contemporary with Fabius Pictor.

This gave rise to an insuperable chronological difficulty; for Troy was destroyed B.C.1184, and Rome was not founded until B.C.753.