Founding myth

Founding myths are a subclass of the general category of mythical events. Nearly every nation-state has some kind of founding myth—be it a liberating war of independence, peaceful transition from colony to independent nation state or semi-divine original rulers. In all, the significance of the actual event involved has been overwhelmed by the layers of meaning which have been added by generations of observers or remembrancers.

The most famous founding myth is probably the establishment of Rome by Romulus and Remus.