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The Vestals
The Vestal Virgins
Handmaidens of the Hearth Hearth and home were the backbone of Roman society. The Goddess of the Hearth, Vesta, had at her disposal, the white-clad, whit-veiled nuns of her temple. These women, all from the finest families of Rome, were charged with never allowing Rome's Vestal fire go out. To do so would be to bring bad omens and bad luck to Rome. To bring bad luck to Mother Rome was the unthinkable sin. Tending the state hearth, sprinkling it daily with the holy water of Egeria, these women epitomize the inner fabric of Rome. Chosen from among the finest of Rome's elite families, the vestals came to the service of the Goddess in childhood. They took a vow of virginity and service for 30 years. How beautiful a sacrifice this is...and they were rewarded for this sacrifice with the reverence and honor of the people and senate of Rome. When there became a vacancy in the college of vestals, the high priest chose from the many likely candidates. She was be of fair countenance and have no physical defect, and be between the ages of 6 and 10. Having chosen, he took the new vestal by the hand, and said: "I take you, you shall be the priestess of Vesta and you shall fulfill the sacred rites for the safety of the Roman people". She then was ceremoniously escorted to the home of the Vestals behind the Temple, where her hair was cut, and her new sisters dressed her all in white. Though she was revered by all, and her honors and privileges were many, her responsibility was also great. Should she let the fire in her charge become extinguished, she was beaten with rods by the high pontiff. Their term of service was thirty years, then they could return to the world as a private citizen. It is well known that few ever did. Most remained in service to the Goddes, the only life they had known. It is true, though, that because they were not bound by a relationship with a man, they were free from the legalities of "patria potestas" (paternal power), so unlike most women they could accept legacies, bequeath their own belongings in personal wills, testify in lawcourts without taking an oath, could declare an accused prisoner free if the spirit moved her. But there was a crime for which she would pay the highest price: that of breaking her vows of chastity. So serious was this crime that betrayed the faith of Rome, that the offending vestal was buried alive as punishment. "The Field of Unhappiness", the Campus Sceleratus lies between the gardens of Sallust and the Colline Gate on Quirinal Hill. It was here the chamber in the earth was dug to hold her. Wrapped in heavey linens to muffle her cries, they carried her on a stretcher for the dead. It was a dark ceremonial march through The Forum Romanum, where all the crowd was silent. In the vault that had been dug, they placed a bed, oil, water, milk and a lighted lamp: a days provision for eternal imprisionment. The funeral procession arrived at the vault, the priest said his secret prayers. The heavy linens were removed from the vestal, she was now bound by a thin cloth that is wrapped about her. The stretcher is placed on the bed, having been lowered down the ladder into the vault. Quickly the slaves filled in the opening for nothing could be allowed to give it away...the ground must be smoothed over so well that no one would see the entrance. This criminal of the state was not to have any funeral libations poured for her, nor any governmental last minute reprieve, and so was cut off from both the living and the dead. Many people felt the sacrifice of this sinful woman would appease the gods, and bona fortuna would happily return to the Great Matrona, Rome. It is rare that a Vestal Maiden would break such a serious vow. Many, most, were devout and purposed in their work in the temple,the making of the mola salsa (the sacred bread), the keeping of wills, and the various ceremonies dictated by the calendar. Goddess Vesta, Goddess of Hearth and Home, we bow to you, and to your Handmaidens. You served Rome long and well |
Peristylum
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