institution
Vestal Virgins
Vestals
also: Vestal virgins
The priestesses of Vesta at Rome, bound by a vow of chastity; named by contrast to show the Graces are not virgins.
Reading notes
- On Benefits §1.3.7 Vestal virgins
The priestesses of Vesta at Rome, vowed to chastity; named for contrast with the marriageable Graces.
- On Leisure §2.2 Vestal Virgins
The six priestesses of Vesta who tended the sacred fire of Rome; their thirty years of service were divided into a decade learning the rites, a decade performing them, and a decade teaching novices.