Livy says Amulius broke his father's will, took the throne of Alba Longa, and made his niece a Vestal virgin so his brother would have no heirs

The Roman historian Livy opens his history with the legend of Rome's founding. He says King Proca of Alba Longa left "the ancient throne of the Silvian house" to his elder son, Numitor. His younger son Amulius did not accept it. Livy writes that violence "proved stronger than either the father's will or the respect due to the brother's seniority." Amulius expelled Numitor and took the crown. He then murdered Numitor's sons. He made Numitor's daughter, Rhea Silvia, a Vestal virgin, which under the pretence of honouring her deprived her "of all hopes of issue." Livy goes on to say she bore twin sons, Romulus and Remus, whom Amulius ordered thrown into the river. When the twins grew up they killed Amulius. Numitor told the people of the tyrant's death. The twins saluted their grandfather as king, and "the government of Alba was thus transferred to Numitor." The twins then left to build a city where they had been exposed, which became Rome. Livy himself says that no one could speak decisively about matters of such antiquity.