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Mother of Rome

by Lauren J.A. Bear · 2025

Mother of Rome is Lauren J.A. Bear's reimagining of the earliest Roman founding legend, told from the perspective of Rhea Silvia, the mother of the twins Romulus and Remus. Once a beautiful and privileged princess of Alba… more

First published 2025 · 400 pages · English

9 quotes ★ 4.31 (2,913) Historical

Quotes from the Book

Humans are made of memory and story as much as blood and bone.
7
How quickly those in power absolved themselves of responsibility under the cloak of tradition!
2
A person should not have to be brutalized to be considered strong.
2
RHEA (incredulous): There is no "we". These are animals. LAVIANA (smiling): We are women. We are both
2
You've seen my smile," Rhea whispered aloud -- to herself, to nobody, to everyone. "Remember my teeth.
1
This is the first lesson, Rhea. Men think they create the empires, but both are born of women. You will be a mother of kings.
1
What would you sacrifice to be with your boys again?" Rhea looked the goddess straight in the eye, answering truthfully and without hesitation. "Everything.
1
You cannot relay the wisdom of the forest to one who has sheltered indoors for too long.
1
There are many pains in this world, but none like that of a mother who outlives her child.

Did you know?

  • It is Lauren J.A. Bear's second novel, following her debut Medusa's Sisters (2023).
  • The story reimagines Rhea Silvia, the legendary mother of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome.
  • Rhea is forced to become a Vestal Virgin and breaks her vows after becoming pregnant by the god Mars.
  • The narrative gives major focus to Rhea's cousin Antho as a second central woman.
  • Booklist compared the novel to the historical sagas of Mary Renault and Robert Graves.
  • Library Journal recommended it for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe.

About Lauren J.A. Bear

Lauren J. A. Bear was born in Boston and raised in Long Beach, California. She studied English at UCLA and education at Loyola Marymount University and taught middle-school humanities for over a decade before turning to fiction. She lives in Seattle and is also the author of Medusa's Sisters.

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More by Lauren J.A. Bear

About the book

Mother of Rome is Lauren J.A. Bear's reimagining of the earliest Roman founding legend, told from the perspective of Rhea Silvia, the mother of the twins Romulus and Remus. Once a beautiful and privileged princess of Alba Longa, Rhea loses everything when her father's kingdom falls in a treacherous coup, and she is forced into the order of the Vestal Virgins to ensure she can never bear an heir. When she becomes pregnant against her sacred vows, she faces exile and death, and must make a divine bargain to protect her sons and reclaim what was taken from them.

Bear frames the story as a feminist retelling that foregrounds the women obscured by Rome's mythic origins, weaving together Rhea's struggle with that of her cousin Antho. Its central concerns are maternal love, female agency within oppressive systems, sisterly and romantic bonds, sacrifice, and the unsung power of women whose choices shaped a nation. The novel reimagines the familiar myth so that the woman at its heart, rather than the kings and gods around her, drives the legend forward.

It is Bear's second novel, following her 2023 debut Medusa's Sisters, and appeared amid the wave of popular feminist mythological retellings. Reviewers compared it favorably to the work of Madeline Miller, Mary Renault, and Robert Graves, with trade outlets praising its vivid prose while some critics noted that the latter portion, which compresses a span of years, loses some of the focus on Rhea that makes the early chapters so strong.

Key characters

  • Rhea SilviaDeposed princess of Alba Longa forced into the Vestal Virgins; mother of the twins
  • AnthoRhea's cousin and kindred spirit, caught in the politics of the new regime
  • MarsThe god by whom Rhea conceives her sons
  • RomulusOne of Rhea's twin sons, future founder of Rome
  • RemusRhea's other twin son, Romulus's brother

Book details

First published
2025
Length
400 pages
Reading time
7 hours
Goodreads rating
4.31 (3k ratings)

Critical reception

  • Library Journal praised it as a superb follow-up to Medusa's Sisters and recommended it for readers of Madeline Miller's Circe.
  • Booklist called it a vividly evoked novel of Rome's mythic origins worthy of a place beside Mary Renault and Robert Graves.
  • Some reviewers found the early chapters and the bond between Rhea and Antho the strongest, while the later, time-spanning sections felt more rushed.

The buzz

Series & reading order

  1. 1 Medusa's Sisters
  2. 2 Mother of Rome

If you liked this, read…

  1. 1
    CirceMadeline Miller's feminist retelling that recenters a mythic woman's story
  2. 2
    Medusa's SistersBear's own debut, another feminist reimagining of classical myth
  3. 3
    A Thousand ShipsNatalie Haynes gives voice to the women behind an ancient legend
Mother of Rome Mother of Rome Lauren J.A. Bear Get the book
2025·★ 4.31 (3k)
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