In 753 BC the city of Rome was founded by Romulus, son of Mars. According to legend this legendary founder was the twin brother of Remus and the grandson of Numitor, king of Alba Longa. Legend has it that he is descended from Aeneas, Trojan hero, and even the gods themselves. In the 700's BC the king of Alba Longa, Numitor, was deposed by his brother, Amulius. The new king had all of Numitor's male heirs executed, and forced his daughter Rhea Silvia into the Vestal Virgins, where she was sworn to celibracy. Despite this, Rhea Silvia gave birth to two twins; Romulus and Remus. Upon hearing this Amulius asked one of his servents to kill the two children, but the servent felt mercy for the two, leaving them in the Tiber River instead.