Vestal Virgins were among the most important figures in ancient Rome. Their primary duty was to maintain the sacred flame in the temple of the goddess Vesta, which was crucial for the spiritual welfare of the city.

Founding of the Vestal College
The Vestal College was established around the 7th century BC. Their primary duty was to maintain the sacred flame of Vesta, which represented the continuity of Rome. They were chosen from noble families and had to take a vow of chastity for at least 30 years. This meant they could not marry or have children, but had to perform a series of rituals to ensure the prosperity of Rome.

Life in the House of the Vestals
The Vestals lived in the House of the Vestals, located near the Roman Forum. The complex included their residential quarters, a garden, and buildings for performing ceremonies and safeguarding sacred items. This space was sacred and inaccessible to ordinary citizens except during certain festivals.

Their daily duties included a range of rituals, such as offering cakes and wine to the goddess Vesta, and maintaining the fire day and night. They also conducted several annual festivals, such as the Vestalia, dedicated to the goddess Vesta, which involved cleansing the temple and distributing sacred items to the citizens of Rome.

Selection and Privileges
Candidates for the Vestals were selected between the ages of six and ten from prominent Roman families. After selection, they underwent a ceremony called 'capitio,' where they were ritually "taken" by the Pontifex Maximus and permanently separated from their families. Vestals enjoyed numerous privileges, such as the right to own property, exemption from taxes and marriage obligations, and freedom of movement in the city in a carriage.

Maintaining the Sacred Flame
Maintaining the sacred flame in the Temple of Vesta was a key duty of the Vestals. This flame symbolized the eternal vitality of Rome, and its maintenance was considered crucial for the safety of the city. The Vestals also prepared ritual ingredients such as mola salsa, a mixture of salt and flour used in ceremonies.

Punishments for Violations
If a Vestal broke her vow of chastity, she would be tried before the Pontifex Maximus. The trial was held in the Atrium Vestae and could last several days. If found guilty, she would be buried alive in an underground chamber with a small amount of food and water, which was one of the harshest punishments in Roman society.

Daily Life and Clothing
The daily schedule of the Vestals was a harmonious blend of public duties and private discipline. Their residential quarters were located in the House of the Vestals, a large villa near the Roman Forum. This complex served both as residential and ceremonial space. The Vestals wore distinctive clothing that symbolized their purity and status, including a stola, a long pleated dress, and a suffibulum, a white woolen veil.

Notable Vestals
Among the most famous Vestals was Rhea Silvia, the mythical mother of Romulus and Remus, who is often considered the first Vestal. Historical records also mention other significant Vestals, such as Cornelia, who was sentenced to death for breaking her vow of chastity.

End of the Vestal College
The Vestal College existed until 394 AD, when it was abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. The fall of the Roman Empire is attributed to the acceptance of Christianity and the neglect of the old gods who had protected the city for centuries.

Religious Roles and Rituals
The Vestals had key functions within ancient Roman religion, focusing on preserving the sacred flame and performing various rituals and ceremonies. They were highly visible during various festivals, embodying the religious duties of the city. Their functions extended to various domains, including overseeing preparations and conducting sacrifices to the goddess Vesta, the guardian of the hearth. These priestesses were also responsible for safeguarding sacred items and performing rituals central to Roman culture and religion.

Festivals and Public Appearances
The Vestals were at the center of the Vestalia, an annual festival in honor of Vesta. This public event allowed the priestesses to actively participate in celebrations, including games and public rituals. Their presence was crucial, highlighting their esteemed position in Roman society. As embodiments of the city and its religious ethos, these public appearances further cemented their importance for the spiritual welfare of the state.

Safeguarding Sacred Items and Wills
In the House of the Vestals, known as the Atrium Vestae, these priestesses were responsible for protecting sacred relics that were key to the religious and social structure of the Roman state. They were also responsible for safeguarding wills, which gave them significant influence in Roman society. Their role extended to preserving and managing property, including the right to own property, a privilege not common for women of that time.

Role in Politics and Community
The Vestals had a distinguished social status that transcended the usual boundaries of female roles in Roman society. Due to their unique position, they could intervene in political processes, such as freeing slaves and delaying military operations. The community held them in high regard, and their presence at public events symbolized the divine protection of the Roman people.

Daily Life of the Vestals
The daily schedule of the Vestals was a harmonious blend of public duties and private discipline. They were responsible for maintaining the sacred flame, performing various religious rituals, and participating in numerous civic events. Their role in Roman society was complex and required great dedication and discipline.

The Vestal Virgins were among the most important figures in ancient Rome. Their primary duty was to maintain the sacred flame in the temple of the goddess Vesta, which was crucial for the spiritual welfare of the city.

Founding of the Vestal College
The Vestal College was established around the 7th century BC. Their primary duty was to maintain the sacred flame of Vesta, which represented the continuity of Rome. They were chosen from noble families and had to take a vow of chastity for at least 30 years. This meant they could not marry or have children, but had to perform a series of rituals to ensure the prosperity of Rome.

Life in the House of the Vestals
The Vestals lived in the House of the Vestals, located near the Roman Forum. The complex included their residential quarters, a garden, and buildings for performing ceremonies and safeguarding sacred items. This space was sacred and inaccessible to ordinary citizens except during certain festivals.

Their daily duties included a range of rituals, such as offering cakes and wine to the goddess Vesta, and maintaining the fire day and night. They also conducted several annual festivals, such as the Vestalia, dedicated to the goddess Vesta, which involved cleansing the temple and distributing sacred items to the citizens of Rome.

Selection and Privileges
Candidates for the Vestals were selected between the ages of six and ten from prominent Roman families. After selection, they underwent a ceremony called 'capitio,' where they were ritually "taken" by the Pontifex Maximus and permanently separated from their families. Vestals enjoyed numerous privileges, such as the right to own property, exemption from taxes and marriage obligations, and freedom of movement in the city in a carriage.

Maintaining the Sacred Flame
Maintaining the sacred flame in the Temple of Vesta was a key duty of the Vestals. This flame symbolized the eternal vitality of Rome, and its maintenance was considered crucial for the safety of the city. The Vestals also prepared ritual ingredients such as mola salsa, a mixture of salt and flour used in ceremonies.

Punishments for Violations
If a Vestal broke her vow of chastity, she would be tried before the Pontifex Maximus. The trial was held in the Atrium Vestae and could last several days. If found guilty, she would be buried alive in an underground chamber with a small amount of food and water, which was one of the harshest punishments in Roman society.

Daily Life and Clothing
The daily schedule of the Vestals was a harmonious blend of public duties and private discipline. Their residential quarters were located in the House of the Vestals, a large villa near the Roman Forum. This complex served both as residential and ceremonial space. The Vestals wore distinctive clothing that symbolized their purity and status, including a stola, a long pleated dress, and a suffibulum, a white woolen veil.

Notable Vestals
Among the most famous Vestals was Rhea Silvia, the mythical mother of Romulus and Remus, who is often considered the first Vestal. Historical records also mention other significant Vestals, such as Cornelia, who was sentenced to death for breaking her vow of chastity.

End of the Vestal College
The Vestal College existed until 394 AD, when it was abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. The fall of the Roman Empire is attributed to the acceptance of Christianity and the neglect of the old gods who had protected the city for centuries.

Religious Roles and Rituals
The Vestals had key functions within ancient Roman religion, focusing on preserving the sacred flame and performing various rituals and ceremonies. They were highly visible during various festivals, embodying the religious duties of the city. Their functions extended to various domains, including overseeing preparations and conducting sacrifices to the goddess Vesta, the guardian of the hearth. These priestesses were also responsible for safeguarding sacred items and performing rituals central to Roman culture and religion.

Festivals and Public Appearances
The Vestals were at the center of the Vestalia, an annual festival in honor of Vesta. This public event allowed the priestesses to actively participate in celebrations, including games and public rituals. Their presence was crucial, highlighting their esteemed position in Roman society. As embodiments of the city and its religious ethos, these public appearances further cemented their importance for the spiritual welfare of the state.

Safeguarding Sacred Items and Wills
In the House of the Vestals, known as the Atrium Vestae, these priestesses were responsible for protecting sacred relics that were key to the religious and social structure of the Roman state. They were also responsible for safeguarding wills, which gave them significant influence in Roman society. Their role extended to preserving and managing property, including the right to own property, a privilege not common for women of that time.

Role in Politics and Community
The Vestals had a distinguished social status that transcended the usual boundaries of female roles in Roman society. Due to their unique position, they could intervene in political processes, such as freeing slaves and delaying military operations. The community held them in high regard, and their presence at public events symbolized the divine protection of the Roman people.

Daily Life of the Vestals
The daily schedule of the Vestals was a harmonious blend of public duties and private discipline. They were responsible for maintaining the sacred flame, performing various religious rituals, and participating in numerous civic events. Their role in Roman society was complex and required great dedication and discipline.