Did the Founders of Rome Really Come from Troy?

As is well-known, Rome was founded by the legendary brothers Romulus and Remus, who originated from Alba Longa and belonged to one of the Latin tribes. However, as Rome grew into a vast and powerful state, the Romans decided having only local Italian shepherds among their ancestors wasn’t very prestigious. It would be much cooler if the Romans descended from a well-known, celebrated people in legends, even better — from a great hero. And they found such a heroic ancestor. He was Aeneas, a hero from Troy who left his homeland after the city’s fall.