institution
The Vestal Virgins
the Vestals
also: the Vestals, virgines, Vestal Virgins
The college of priestesses of Vesta who tended the sacred hearth of Rome; together with the women of the household they conducted the Bona Dea rite, and after Clodius's intrusion in 62 BC repeated the polluted sacrifice and (with the pontiffs) helped pronounce it sacrilege.
Reading notes
- Ad Atticum 1.13 §3 when the Vestals had repeated the sacrifice
The Vestal Virgins conducted the Bona Dea rite together with the women of the household; Clodius's intrusion polluted it, so the sacrifice had to be performed again (instaurare) to expiate the offence.
- On the Laws §2.20 the Vestal Virgins
The college of priestesses who guarded the everlasting fire of the public hearth (Vesta) and were bound to strict chastity. Cicero's law assigns them charge of the city's sacred flame.
- For Marcus Fonteius §46 Vestal virgin
Fonteius's sister Fonteia was a Vestal Virgin, one of the priestesses who tended the eternal fire of Vesta. Cicero ends by setting her suppliant prayers against the threats of the Gauls.