For example: the harvest festival of Meditrinalia included a chariot race that began at dawn. The vestals performed many public rituals and sacrifices throughout the year. Consequently, the Vestal Virgins were in close contact with the emperor. After the time of Julius Caesar, the head of the Collegiate of Pontiffs, the Roman Emperor was also appointed Pontifex Maximus. They served as members of the Collegiate of Pontiffs, religious advisors to the Roman Senate. The vestals wielded political and religious influence. They scribed many legal documents, and important texts from throughout the empire were kept within the House of the Vestals. Though most Roman women weren’t taught to read or write, Vestal Virgins were highly literate. They could own property, and the state paid them substantial salaries. Though most women were completely dependent on men and could own no property, Vestal Virgins had financial independence. Vestals had to be free of physical imperfections, both parents had to be alive, and the girls (usually age six through ten) had to be virgins.
When a position became available, a number of girls were nominated, but only one candidate was chosen by lottery. Only six women were designated as priestesses of Vesta, including the Vestal Maxima, who served as the head priestess, similar to a Mother Superior. To be chosen a Vestal Virgin was a great honor, and candidates were usually daughters of leading Roman families. And, although they lived a cloistered life, they had considerable freedom and participated in the world in ways denied to other women. Unlike other Roman women, vestals were highly educated. At a time when women had few rights and were treated like property, Vestal Virgins were revered. Vestal Virgins were the most powerful women in the Roman Empire.
We’ve heard the term “Vestal Virgin”-Procol Harum sings about them-but who were they? Priestesses of old who protected the sacred flame of the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta-in many ways this celibate sisterhood might be considered forerunners to the nuns of the Catholic Church.
Vestal Virgins have always been surrounded by mystery. For more information, check her blog, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter. And Scott Nicholson says, “Enter this circus and let Suzanne show you why horror is the greatest show on earth” of Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales. Konrath describes Suzanne’s collection of nine short stories, Dating My Vibrator. Her debut novel, Vestal Virgin: Suspense in Ancient Rome, is set in Rome at the time of Nero, and Tess Gerritsen says, “Her writing is pure magic.” “Pure comedic brilliance” is how J.A. Relevant History welcomes historical suspense author Suzanne Tyrpak, who ran away from New York a long time ago to live in Colorado.
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