Marble banquet relief depicting Vestal Virgins

            This fragment of a marble relief depicts a group of veiled woman at a banquet, probably a rare representation of the Vestal Virgins. It may once have belonged to a Claudian era altar (mid-1st century CE).

The Vestal Virgins were unmarried, virgin priestesses of the goddess Vesta, responsible for keeping the sacred flame alive in her temple, which represented the hearth of Vesta. The vestal virgins were chosen from high born families at the age of only 6 or 7. As children, they would have had little understanding of the enormous commitment they were making, beginning a life of extreme dedication and huge responsibility. Each vestal virgin‘s time in the cult lasted thirty years, with every ten years changing in their duties. The first ten years were to learn the ways of the college, with the next ten years performing the rituals of the house and finally, their last ten years were to train the new virgins. They were an exceptionally exclusive cult, only welcoming six virgins at a time. After being chosen the girls would leave their father’s house and move into the House of Vestal. As they were committed to the priesthood, they would make a vow of celibacy until their thirty years were up. After which they were free to leave and marry. Unlike other women in society, however, the Vestals could own property, vote and write a will. They could attend public events, and would have some of the best seats at public games, and they even had the power to free condemned prisoners or slaves. Such freedom contrasted with the punishment they received in if they neglected their duties.

They were by far the most influential women in Rome, having extremely higher rights compared to the common women. The only women able to vote and voice their political opinion on matters, own property and had freedom from their fathers/husbands. They were also able to attend events that were only for men, having VIP sections in all stadiums. They were seen as completely pure beings; considered truthful, blessed, and gentle souls. A testimony of a Vestal could be done without being under oath. They could also free a slave just by looking at them. And any individual that harmed Vestal women would be put to death, regardless of status. If they were to let the sacred fire burn out, however, then those responsible would be stripped and beaten by the chief priest as punishment. To let the fire burn out was to endanger Rome and disrespect the Gods. This was not the most extreme of punishments, as sexual transgression served a worse fate. As their title suggests, virginity was integral to being a Vestal Virgin. Whilst extramarital sex was frowned upon in Rome, those who indulged in it usually faced a fate no worse than the confiscation of property. For the Vestal Virgins the matter was much more serious. It was thought that they were tarnished and no longer fit to perform their duties. Their initial punishment for this was whipping or stoning to death until a crueller punishment was later devised by Tarquinius Priscus. As no blood was meant to be spilt from a Vestal Virgin, he decided they should be buried alive instead.

Although they had a larger amount of freedom in their society, the cult did follow very strict restrictions and punishments in place. If a virgin broke their celibacy vows, they would have disastrous repercussions, punishable by death by whipping or being buried alive in the underground chambers. This was also the case if they allowed the fire to go out.

This relief fragment of Luni marble was discovered in 1935, along the Via del Corso in Rome. 

Ara Pacis Museum, Rome

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Taken on: April 27, 2024

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