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of the Vestal Virgins (Atrium Vestae)
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 Statue of the Vestal Virgin Flavia Publicia |
The Virgins lived next to
the Temple of Vesta in their own, comfortable home, the
atrium Vestae. The Pontifex Maximus, the chief priest,
was the leader of the Virgins, but he had no say in the
sacred fire rituals. The Virgins were very much respected
and had considerable political influence. They were also
quite privileged even after the termination of their
official duties. Throughout the ages the Vestal Virgins have appealed to men's imagination and they have even left their traces in modern pop music. Who doesn't know Procul Harum's smashing hit 'A whiter shade of Pale': She said; "there is
no reason, |
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he Vestal
virgins were very notable women, who had to watch the
sacred fire in the Temple of Vesta. The fire symbolised
the continuity of the Roman state. Each year, on the
first of March, the fire was lit again. For this sacred
and very important duty women were chosen out of the most
notable families of Rome. They were chosen between the
age of six and ten. Having been selected they got a
ten-year-training. After that they had to take an oath of
chastity. A Vestal Virgin had to promise that she would
stay a virgin till the end of her job. This was a time
span of thirty years. Breaking the oath meant she would
be buried alive.