Willi Braun
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195306316
- eISBN:
- 9780199867721
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195306316.003.0002
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Citizens of ancient Greece and Rome were expected to reproduce, whereas violators of this guideline were penalized by governmental legislation. An exception was made for the Vestal Virgins and the ...
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Citizens of ancient Greece and Rome were expected to reproduce, whereas violators of this guideline were penalized by governmental legislation. An exception was made for the Vestal Virgins and the eunuch‐priests of the Cybele cult because of their religious office. The obligation to reproduce hides a cultural conviction that sexual pleasure was potentially dangerous and antisocial because orgasm was associated with epilepsy and loss of vital spirit.Less
Citizens of ancient Greece and Rome were expected to reproduce, whereas violators of this guideline were penalized by governmental legislation. An exception was made for the Vestal Virgins and the eunuch‐priests of the Cybele cult because of their religious office. The obligation to reproduce hides a cultural conviction that sexual pleasure was potentially dangerous and antisocial because orgasm was associated with epilepsy and loss of vital spirit.
Meghan J. DiLuzio
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780691169576
- eISBN:
- 9781400883035
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691169576.003.0005
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion in the Ancient World
This chapter focuses on the Vestal Virgins. The six Vestal Virgins belonged to the pontifical college (collegium pontificum), the largest and one of Rome's most prestigious religious orders. Chosen ...
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This chapter focuses on the Vestal Virgins. The six Vestal Virgins belonged to the pontifical college (collegium pontificum), the largest and one of Rome's most prestigious religious orders. Chosen for their role between the ages of six and ten, they were committed to serve the cult of Vesta for a minimum of thirty years. They were synonymous with the continued welfare of the city and inseparable from the Roman's view of themselves. In addition to guaranteeing Rome's future, the Vestal priesthood was cherished as one of the most ancient religious institutions in the city. The chapter then considers the social profile of prospective priestesses and explains how they were chosen for their extraordinary role in Roman society. It also outlines their legal status, which set them apart from ordinary Romans, and the privileges they were granted in exchange for their service to the state.Less
This chapter focuses on the Vestal Virgins. The six Vestal Virgins belonged to the pontifical college (collegium pontificum), the largest and one of Rome's most prestigious religious orders. Chosen for their role between the ages of six and ten, they were committed to serve the cult of Vesta for a minimum of thirty years. They were synonymous with the continued welfare of the city and inseparable from the Roman's view of themselves. In addition to guaranteeing Rome's future, the Vestal priesthood was cherished as one of the most ancient religious institutions in the city. The chapter then considers the social profile of prospective priestesses and explains how they were chosen for their extraordinary role in Roman society. It also outlines their legal status, which set them apart from ordinary Romans, and the privileges they were granted in exchange for their service to the state.
Meghan J. DiLuzio
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780691169576
- eISBN:
- 9781400883035
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691169576.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion in the Ancient World
This chapter analyzes the ritual obligations of the Vestal Virgins. The extensive ritual program assigned to the Vestal order further emphasizes the connection between these priestesses and the ...
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This chapter analyzes the ritual obligations of the Vestal Virgins. The extensive ritual program assigned to the Vestal order further emphasizes the connection between these priestesses and the wellbeing of the community. They participated in various rites designed to cleanse the city of ritual impurity. At the Fordicidia, the October Horse, and the December rites of Bona Dea, they played a role in guaranteeing the fertility of the fields and flocks. They were also involved in rites concerned with the preservation of the food supply, on which the security of the city depended, and with the transformation of raw grain into a substance suitable for consumption. Perhaps most significantly, the Vestals prepared mola salsa, the salted grain used to consecrate sacrificial victims and thereby to maintain Rome's relationship with the gods.Less
This chapter analyzes the ritual obligations of the Vestal Virgins. The extensive ritual program assigned to the Vestal order further emphasizes the connection between these priestesses and the wellbeing of the community. They participated in various rites designed to cleanse the city of ritual impurity. At the Fordicidia, the October Horse, and the December rites of Bona Dea, they played a role in guaranteeing the fertility of the fields and flocks. They were also involved in rites concerned with the preservation of the food supply, on which the security of the city depended, and with the transformation of raw grain into a substance suitable for consumption. Perhaps most significantly, the Vestals prepared mola salsa, the salted grain used to consecrate sacrificial victims and thereby to maintain Rome's relationship with the gods.
Meghan J. DiLuzio
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780691169576
- eISBN:
- 9781400883035
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691169576.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion in the Ancient World
This book illuminates a previously underappreciated dimension of religion in ancient Rome: the role of priestesses in civic cult. Demonstrating that priestesses had a central place in public rituals ...
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This book illuminates a previously underappreciated dimension of religion in ancient Rome: the role of priestesses in civic cult. Demonstrating that priestesses had a central place in public rituals and institutions, the book emphasizes the complex, gender-inclusive nature of Roman priesthood. In ancient Rome, priestly service was a cooperative endeavor, requiring men and women, husbands and wives, and elite Romans and slaves to work together to manage the community's relationship with its gods. Like their male colleagues, priestesses offered sacrifices on behalf of the Roman people, and prayed for the community's well-being. As they carried out their ritual obligations, they were assisted by female cult personnel, many of them slave women. The book explores the central role of the Vestal Virgins and shows that they occupied just one type of priestly office open to women. Some priestesses, including the flaminica Dialis, the regina sacrorum, and the wives of the curial priests, served as part of priestly couples. Others, such as the priestesses of Ceres and Fortuna Muliebris, were largely autonomous. The book offers a fresh understanding of how the women of ancient Rome played a leading role in public cult.Less
This book illuminates a previously underappreciated dimension of religion in ancient Rome: the role of priestesses in civic cult. Demonstrating that priestesses had a central place in public rituals and institutions, the book emphasizes the complex, gender-inclusive nature of Roman priesthood. In ancient Rome, priestly service was a cooperative endeavor, requiring men and women, husbands and wives, and elite Romans and slaves to work together to manage the community's relationship with its gods. Like their male colleagues, priestesses offered sacrifices on behalf of the Roman people, and prayed for the community's well-being. As they carried out their ritual obligations, they were assisted by female cult personnel, many of them slave women. The book explores the central role of the Vestal Virgins and shows that they occupied just one type of priestly office open to women. Some priestesses, including the flaminica Dialis, the regina sacrorum, and the wives of the curial priests, served as part of priestly couples. Others, such as the priestesses of Ceres and Fortuna Muliebris, were largely autonomous. The book offers a fresh understanding of how the women of ancient Rome played a leading role in public cult.
Harriet I. Flower
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780807830635
- eISBN:
- 9781469603438
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/9780807877463_flower.11
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Archaeology: Classical
This chapter points out that official sanctions against the memory of women did not exist in the public sphere of Roman life during the Republic. It notes that women were not subject to accusations ...
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This chapter points out that official sanctions against the memory of women did not exist in the public sphere of Roman life during the Republic. It notes that women were not subject to accusations of treason maiestas during the Republic and that only holders of high office could be charged under this law—and they were all men of the senatorial class. The chapter specifies that there is only a single exception, which is provided by the Vestal Virgins; they were the only college of public priestesses in Rome, and infractions against their religious duties, particularly loss of virginity, affected the whole community. It further specifies that the Vestals were subject to the authority of the pontifex maximus, who acted as pater familias in their case and had the power to punish or execute them.Less
This chapter points out that official sanctions against the memory of women did not exist in the public sphere of Roman life during the Republic. It notes that women were not subject to accusations of treason maiestas during the Republic and that only holders of high office could be charged under this law—and they were all men of the senatorial class. The chapter specifies that there is only a single exception, which is provided by the Vestal Virgins; they were the only college of public priestesses in Rome, and infractions against their religious duties, particularly loss of virginity, affected the whole community. It further specifies that the Vestals were subject to the authority of the pontifex maximus, who acted as pater familias in their case and had the power to punish or execute them.
Ronald Syme
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- December 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198767060
- eISBN:
- 9780191821257
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198767060.003.0015
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, European History: BCE to 500CE
This paper provides a detailed discussion of the fragmentary evidence for the scandals in which Catiline, Crassus, and the Vestal Virgins were implicated in the years preceding the conspiracy of ...
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This paper provides a detailed discussion of the fragmentary evidence for the scandals in which Catiline, Crassus, and the Vestal Virgins were implicated in the years preceding the conspiracy of Catiline. The family backgrounds of the Vestals that were implicated in the case receive close consideration, as well as the consequences of the case for the political career and standing of Crassus. Some speculation is offered about the identities of the prosecutors. Their motives are identified with the aim to launch an attack on sectors of the Sullan faction.Less
This paper provides a detailed discussion of the fragmentary evidence for the scandals in which Catiline, Crassus, and the Vestal Virgins were implicated in the years preceding the conspiracy of Catiline. The family backgrounds of the Vestals that were implicated in the case receive close consideration, as well as the consequences of the case for the political career and standing of Crassus. Some speculation is offered about the identities of the prosecutors. Their motives are identified with the aim to launch an attack on sectors of the Sullan faction.
