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Vestal Virgin
Vestal Virgins (Latin: Vestales) were the priestesses of the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta, in the state religion of ancient Rome. At varying times there were four to six priestesses employed. They were the only full-time clergy (collegia...
Article
Love, Sex, & Marriage in Ancient Rome
Love, sex, and marriage in ancient Rome were defined by the patriarchy. The head of the household was the father (the pater familias) who had complete control over the lives of his wife, children, and slaves. This paradigm was justified...
Lesson Pack
Ancient Roman Religion
We have prepared three lesson plans including classroom activities, assignments, homework, and keys as well as: Multiple choice quiz questions in an excel format Glossary of keywords and concepts in an excel format Open questions...
Video
House of the Vestal Virgins (Atrium Vestae) - Ancient Rome Live
The house of the Vestal Virgins is one of the most famous sites in the Roman Forum area. Six Vestals cared for the sacred flame of the Temple of Vesta and many other sacred duties, for 30 years of service, under the guidance of the Pontifex...
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Temple of Vesta
Temple of Vesta. This was the location of the eternal flame which was kept burning at all times. Vestals would vow an oath of service & chastity for a period of 30 years to the Goddess Vesta. Vestals had rank and privilege in Roman Society...
Video
The Roman Goddess Vesta and her Vestal Virgins
The goddess Vesta was the Roman goddess of the home, the hearth, fire, domestic life, and the patroness of bakers. She is identified with the Greek goddess Hestia, although Hestia was less so in the spotlight in ancient Greece than Vesta...
Article
Elizabeth I & the Power of Image
Aware of the power of appearances, Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) carefully controlled her image throughout her reign and through costume, hair, jewellery, and art, she presented herself as the great Virgin Queen. Like a goddess...
Image
Vestal Virgin, British Museum
Marble head from a portrait statue of a veiled priestess of the goddess Vesta. The headdress identifies the subject as a Vestal Virgin. Above her hair are six folds of the infula, a long woolen band wrapped around the head to hang in two...
Image
Vestal Virgin by Canova
Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757 - 1822 CE)
Herm of a Vestal Virgin, 1821 - 1822, Marble
Object: H: 49.8 x W: 31.9 x D: 24.1 cm (1 ft. 7 5/8 in. x 1 ft. 9/16 in. x 9 1/2 in.)
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Definition
Vesta
Vesta was the goddess of the hearth, the home, and domestic life in the Roman religion (idenitified with the Greek goddess Hestia). She was the first-born of the titans Kronos and Rhea and, like the others, was swallowed by her father. When...