Who are they - the virgin vestal priestesses of Ancient Rome, and why is this definition still used to describe purity and perfection? We will find out what place these women occupied in ancient Roman society.
Duties
The ancient Roman priestesses of the home goddess Vesta were called Vestals. There were exactly six of them serving in the temple, and their length of service was 30 years. Vestals were recruited from girls aged 6 to 10 years from the wealthy Roman estates. Their main responsibility was to maintain the sacred fire in the temple of the goddess and to keep order. And they lived not far from the temple in a three-story house - Atrium Vesta, located at the foot of the Palatine Hill.
The Vestal Virgins occupied a special place in the official religious system of Ancient Rome. The sacred fire, which they were supposed to protect, was considered a symbol of Rome. In addition, the Vestals had to perform a number of rituals that were forbidden for male priests.
If the vestal allowed the fire to go out, then she was punished with flogging (not public). If a girl broke her vow of chastity, then it was considered incest, since she was considered the daughter of the state. The punishment for this offense was death. However, since the vestal's blood could not be shed, the guilty priestess was locked in a special room with enough food and water for several days. This made the execution look like a voluntary death.
Promotional video:
The most powerful women in Rome?
In ancient Rome, women, even those of the privileged estates, had few rights. However, some women have achieved more independent positions, mainly due to intelligence, cunning and communication skills.
The Vestals were an exception. They possessed power, privilege, and independence that were never dreamed of by ordinary Romans - and even some Romans. This power of the priestesses was based on religious superstition and the sacred position of the Vestals, protected by the state.
What rights and privileges did the vestals have?
Power
If a condemned person on the way to execution saw a priestess-vestal, then he immediately received pardon and was released. The Vestal could also set any slave free with her one touch. The priestess's word was not discussed. Her testimony in court was accepted without the need to swear an oath.
Privilege
During public events in Rome, the virgin priestesses were always given places of honor. Moreover, their sacred presence was even necessary. They were taken to the scene of action in special closed stretchers and accompanied by guards. The Roman state also trusted the Vestals with important documents, such as treaties and wills of influential citizens.
The priestess could own and dispose of property, as well as make wills. But this applied only to emancipated women, that is, those who were not under the rule of men. Moreover, only Vestals were allowed to vote. The protection of the priestesses was provided by the law of Rome. To inflict physical harm on the Vestal meant certain death.
Later meaning
The Institute of Vestal Virgins existed in Rome during both the Republic and the Empire for a thousand years. The image of the virgin virgin remained in history after the fall of Rome, often used as an allegory of purity and chastity. Many famous women of subsequent eras were portrayed by artists in the form of vestals in order to emphasize purity. In particular, this applies to Elizabeth I - the famous virgin queen.
Later ideas about the Vestals began to include an element of eroticism, something akin to the "forbidden fruit". This may be a reference to the ancient Roman myth about how the god Mars impregnated the priestess Rhea Sylvia, who then gave birth to Romulus and Remus, the founders of the city.
Did you know these amazing facts about the Vestals?
Author: Maxim Ewald