The Vestal Virgins

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, our vestals come to the service of the Goddess in childhood. They take a vow of virginity and service for 30 years. How beautiful a sacrifice this is...and they are rewarded for this sacrifice with the reverence and honor of the people and senate of Rome.

When there comes a vacancy in the college of vestals, the high priest chooses from the many likely candidates. She must be of fair countenance and have no physical defect, and be between the ages of 6 and 10. Having chosen, he then takes the new vestal by the hand, and says:

"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 is ceremoniously escorted to the home of the Vestals behind the Temple, where her hair is cut, and her new sisters dress her all in white.

Though she is revered by us, and her honors and privileges are many, her responsibility is also great. Should she let the fire in her charge become extinguished, she is beaten with rods by the high pontiff.

Their term of service is thirty years, then they can return to the world as a private citizen. It is well known that few ever do. Most remain in service to the Goddes, the only life they have known. It is true, though, that because they are not bound by a relationship with a man, they are free from the legalities of "patria potestas" (paternal power), so unlike most women they can accept legacies, bequeath their own belongings in personal wills, testify in lawcourts without taking an oath, can declare an accused prisoner free if the spirit moves her.

But there is a crime for which she will pay the highest price: that of breaking her vows of chastity. So serious is this crime that betrays the faith of Rome, that the offending vestal is 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 is here the chamber in the earth is dug to hold her. Wrapped in heavey linens to muffle her cries, they carry her on a stretcher for the dead. It is a dark ceremonial march through The Forum Romanum, where all the crowd is silent. In the vault that has been dug, they have placed a bed, oil, water, milk and a lighted lamp: a days provision for eternal imprisionment.

The funeral procession arrives at the vault, the priest says his secret prayers. The heavy linens are removed from the vestal, she is 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 now the slaves fill in the opening for nothing shall 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 is cut off from both the living and the dead.

Many people feel the sacrifice of this sinful woman would appease the gods, and bona fortuna will happily return to the Great Matrona, Rome.

It is rare that a Vestal Maiden breaks such a serious vow. Many, most, are 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. Long may you serve Rome!