The Vestal Virgins of Ancient Rome. #history #art #painting

[HistorybyMae]

Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, and their primary role was to maintain the sacred fire of Vesta, symbolizing the eternal life of Rome. They were required to remain celibate for 30 years, and their chastity was crucial to the wellbeing of Rome. The Vestals took turns to supervise Vesta's sacred hearth so that at least one Vestal was stationed there at all times. Vestals who allowed the sacred fire to go out were punished with whipping. Vestals who lost their chastity were guilty of incestum, and were sentenced to living burial, a bloodless death that must seem voluntary. The man would be publicly beaten to death. As a note, although being buried alive was the official punishment, it was rarely carried as most Romans would be scared of the spiritual repercussions of attacking a Vestal. The vast majority of Vestals did not break their vows even after the 30 years of celibacy.

In 382 AD, the Christian emperor Gratian confiscated the public revenues assigned to the cult of Vesta in Rome. Soon after, the Vestals vanished from the historical record.

[thr]

“She’s impure! Burn her!” *holds up sieve* “well shiii I didn’t know you were chill like that nvm”

[panchoelgatodeshonrado]

Surface tension literally saved her life😮‍💨

Edit: So a lil bit of correction since you guys are so much into details... It's Surface Tension, Cohesion(between the water particles) and Adhesion(between the sieve and water particles) acting all together simultaneously, but basically it all comes back to Surface Tension... Thus she has to be holding that sieve with water really steady, one wrong move and water passes through the sieve(assuming the sieve has no other modification) and she goes underground. Hope that solves all of your doubts👍

[MGMG-lcfe]

It seems stunning that as her purity is questioned, depicted in the deepest blue of an unforgiving sea, and proven innocent by water's way. The musical selection for this mornings grouping is flawless, thank you Ms. Mae ✨

[summerfaye]

Sieve was a symbol of virginity and used in many paintings (Queen Elizabeth l also has one).

[richarddechart]

Vestals were the only women in rome who could formally own property, other than women who got gifts from them. Vestals could gift property to normal roman women and the property would be considered the WOMAN’S, not her father’s or husband’s like usual. Vestals were also the only women to be allowed front-row seats to the coliseum.

[atlas]

when i visited rome, i saw the temple that the women worked in… it’s in ruins, but the walls and statues and some decorations are still there. when you walk in, it’s not hard to imagine how it once was beautiful and sacred… but also, how it could have felt like a cage to the girls.

[kitsumekat]

To be fair, you're a noble woman who don't have to get married for 30 years, get to walk around with protection, get land and for attending a giant hearth, your family loves you, you get justice if a man attempts to assault you, you get to watch bloody show in the front row, etc.

On top of that, no one can kill you without being executed. Then, your marriage prospects are through the roof and you can choose not to marry at all.

Vesta is the one that you want to work for.

[smolbluegoblin]

Vestals were also allowed to witness games in the Colosseum, which was forbidden to other women. They were able to decide the fate of gladiators by indicating either up or down with the thumb, much like the nobles and the emperor himself.

[Thursdayschildfargo]

Vestal Virgin was the best career Rome had to offer a woman. Id take it in a heartbeat. No abusive husband? No dying in childbirth? Status and power other women could only attain through their husbands? Sign me up.

[StaceyLoveller]

Love the evolution of Mae - we’re getting costumes now 🥹

[AeritheAffectionateBabyPenguin]

The consequences for stuff back in other periods of time are crazy.

[SuzanneDeniseB]

Absolutely stunning. The music is perfect!

[SHAYAAABBB]

I was on a tour in Rome and the tour guide was telling us all abt these priestesses and what they did, history is so cool, So heres some more info on them:

-When these ladies would walk around Rome and a criminal on its way to jail or exile came in contact w one of them, they would be instantly freed.
- Also, these women could never shed a single drop of blood, if someone was to try and hurt them they would be punished. If the women had broken one of their rules or whatever its called they would be buried alive with i believe a piece of bread, some water, and something else i cant remember and they would di3.

Tysm for readinggg! <3

[UnkownBelongs]

Never thought I'd love art so much as a guy, but your detailed explanations make you see the painting with in and experience it in a beautiful way. Thank you.

[Theaphilius_Mythology_Channel]

Here a little deep dive:
(small Edit: Vesta is the Roman counterpart to Hestia)

Who Were the Vestal Virgins?

The Vestal Virgins were among the most powerful women in ancient Rome. As priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, they held the important duty of maintaining her sacred fire. Revered for their purity and beauty, these women commanded deep respect in Roman society. But who exactly were they?

Vesta, the Roman goddess of the home and family, was one of the most significant deities in ancient Rome. However, it was her priestesses—the Vestal Virgins—that have captured the imagination throughout history. Tasked with keeping the sacred flame of Vesta burning perpetually, these women led extraordinary lives, freed from the typical societal expectations of marriage and motherhood. Instead, they took a 30-year vow of chastity, dedicating themselves wholly to their sacred role.

The Origins of the Vestal Virgins

The establishment of the Vestal Virgins is attributed to King Numa Pompilius of Rome in the 7th century BC. It was said that Numa was told by the gods that Rome would be safeguarded by Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, home, and family. Vesta bestowed a magical fire that was to burn forever as a symbol of her protection. The responsibility of maintaining this eternal flame was entrusted to a group of virgin women, later known as the Vestal Virgins. According to the Roman historian Livy, Numa organized the Vestals and ensured they received salaries from the public treasury. He also appointed the Pontifex Maximus, the chief priest of the College of Pontiffs, to oversee their duties. This special treatment—receiving state-funded salaries and royal protection—illustrated the high regard with which the Vestals were held. Their role was unlike any other: they were tasked with pleasing the goddess and ensuring the safety of Rome.

The Life of the Vestal Virgins

The Vestal Virgins were chosen from noble families, typically at the age of 6 or 7. As young girls, they likely had little understanding of the lifelong commitment they were about to undertake. Their service in the cult spanned thirty years, with each decade marking a different phase of responsibility. The first ten years were devoted to learning the rites and customs of the priesthood, the next ten years were spent performing the rituals associated with Vesta’s hearth, and the final ten years were dedicated to training new initiates. The Vestal Virgins were an exclusive group, usually numbering only six at any given time. Once selected, the girls left their families and moved into the House of the Vestals, where they took a vow of celibacy. After completing their thirty-year term, they were free to leave the priesthood and marry. However, unlike other Roman women, the Vestals had certain privileges: they could own property, vote, and make a will. They were also permitted to attend public events, often enjoying the best seats at games, and even had the authority to free condemned prisoners or slaves. These freedoms set them apart from ordinary women in Rome, though their privileges came with severe consequences for any neglect of duty.

Privileges and Punishments

The Vestal Virgins held more power than any other women in Rome. They could vote and express political opinions, own property, and enjoyed freedoms not granted to other women, such as being able to attend men-only events and sit in special sections of stadiums. They were regarded as symbols of purity, truth, and goodness. Testimony from a Vestal was considered infallible, and they had the unique ability to free slaves with a mere glance. Anyone who harmed a Vestal was subject to the death penalty, regardless of their social status. However, neglecting their sacred duties could lead to severe punishment.

The most serious duty was maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta. If the flame ever went out, the responsible Vestals were stripped of their robes and beaten by the chief priest. The extinguishing of the fire was seen as a grave threat to the city and an offense to the gods. But the most severe punishment was reserved for a breach of their vow of chastity. While extramarital sex was a serious offense for any Roman woman, for a Vestal, it was considered a catastrophic violation of her sacred role. The punishment was initially death by whipping or stoning, but under King Tarquinius Priscus, a more brutal method was devised. Because the Vestals were considered too pure to shed blood, they were condemned to be buried alive in an underground chamber.

Despite the considerable freedoms they enjoyed, the Vestal Virgins lived under strict rules and faced harsh consequences for any transgressions. A broken vow of celibacy or a failure to maintain the sacred fire could lead to punishment, with death by whipping or being buried alive as the ultimate penalty.

(source: own study and wikipedia)

[UnconventionalArtproject]

I read a book where a main villain was one of these priestess who had broken her vow and would later turn into a horrific monster due to magic gifted by a god (or stolen maybe). But the main character got trapped in her tome *with* her corpse for a hot moment and it was absolutely terrifying how the author described the mc slowly dying as the corpse slowly was brought back to life

[kingstar]

Wow this reminds of Mother Sita from Ramayana. She gave the 'Trial of Fire' (Agni pariksha) to prove her purity to those who doubted it.
She stepped into fire but no harm occured to her.

[GwibaMda]

Miss mae, the music choice...CHILLS ARE DEVELOPING RN 🙏🏾

[Priyaaa_nayakkk]

While men kept numerous concubines, illegitimate children, affair with maids or anything alive