These were twin sons of Mars and Rhea Silvia. Their grandfather, Numitor, was the king of Alba Longa and was deposed by his younger brother, Amulius, who ordered the twins to be thrown into the river Tiber (compare Maui and Moses). But they drifted ashore and were found and fostered by a wolf (see Feral Children) until they were discovered by the royal herdsman, Faustulus, who adopted them.

They grew up and eventually discovered their identity, killed Amulius and restored Numitor to the throne.

Romulus later killed Remus and went on to found Rome in 753 BCE.

References

Oxford Classical Dictionary, edited by M. Cary, et al. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1949)
Encyclopedia of Religion. 16 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1987)
"Roma: Romulus and Remus." Available at: http://cyberfair.gsn.org/citrag/roma/doc/history/est_112.htm

Indexes

European
Roman Empire
Italy
Birth Identity Disputed or Deliberately Concealed
Murdered, Assassinated
Birth or Infancy
War or Persecution
Foundlings and Feral Children
Others ("Strangers")
Animals (i.e., Feral Children)
Very Poor (Financially) Adoptive or Foster Families
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Adoptees/Fosterees from Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Birth Families
Birth Siblings Placed Together
Twins and Triplets
Tracing Impossible or Birth Family Extinct