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Vestal Virgins


Subject Religion

DOI: 10.1111/b.9780631181392.1995.x


Extract

[ xxxi ] Six priestesses who served in Vesta's temple in Rome ( aedes Vestae) ; the pontifex maximus (see S acerdotes ) chose them, when very young, by captio (‘taking’), to remain in service for 30 years, caring for the temple and maintaining the sacred fire on the goddess's hearth. They had to preserve their virginity on pain of being buried alive. Their sexual status, however, symbolically combined that of virgin with elements of matron, bride and even man. Any failure in the fulfilment of their duties threatened the safety of the state ( salus publica ). [1; 8: 585–8; 12: 108–11; 19: 607–9] ... log in or subscribe to read full text

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Table of Contents

A New Dictionary of Religions



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