The story has been theorised by some modern scholars to reflect anti-Roman propaganda from the late fourth century BC, but more likely reflects an indigenous Roman tradition, given the Capitoline Wolf which likely dates to the sixth century BC. Regardless, by the third century, it was widely accepted by Romans and put onto some of Rome's first silver coins in 269 BC. In his 1995 Beginnings of Rome, Tim Cornell argues that the myths of Romulus and Remus are "popular expressions of some universal human need or experience" rather than borrowings from the Greek east or Mesopotamia, inasmuch as the story of virgin birth, intercession by animals and humble stepparents, with triumphant return expelling an evil leader are common mythological elements across Eurasia and even into the Americas.
ThE sToRy HAs beEn tHeOriSEd by Some modErn SchOlArs to rEflEcT ANti-rOMan prOpaGanDA frOm thE lAte FourTH centuRY Bc, But morE liKelY reFLEcts An indiGEnOus rOman tradItIon, GiVeN the caPitOLinE Wolf wHicH LikEly dates to The sixth centURY bC. RegarDless, By the third centurY, it was widEly accEPted by romaNS AnD pUT ontO SomE of ROMe's firsT siLver Coins In 269 bc. in his 1995 beginniNgS of rome, tim cORNElL argues that the mytHs of rOmuluS anD REmus are "pOpULar expresSioNs Of sOmE UnIversal humAn NEed or exPERience" RatheR Than boRrowingS frOm tHE gReek eAst OR mesopoTamia, inaSmuch As the stOry oF virgin BirtH, inTERcessiOn by AnImals and HUMBlE steppaREnts, witH TriumphAnt rEtUrn ExPELLiNg An evil leadEr are coMmoN MyThological eLemenTs AcroSs eurasiA and eVEn into the americaS.