![]() Once a year, the flame was ritually extinguished, then reignited using a crystal and the rays of the sun. If the fire died, Rome risked destruction and the wrath of the gods. Their purity of spirit and body had mystical significance, and vestals were charged with tending the sacred fire representing the heart of Rome. As priestesses of Vesta, they performed religious rituals, and their prayers were believed to hold great power. Consequently, the vestals were often included in gatherings of state.īut there realm extended well beyond the political arena. The vestals were closely connected with the Collegiate of Pontiffs, the priests of Rome. They not only wrote these documents, in triplicate, but kept them secure within the House of the Vestals. Vestals were in charge of legal documents. That got me going! Plus, on a tour of the Coliseum, a guide pointed out the seats designated to the vestal virgins-the six priestess of Vesta were educated, and therefore powerful, at a time when most women weren’t even taught to read. A travel book I read contained a short blurb about vestal virgins it mentioned they were sworn to thirty years of chastity and, if that vow were broken, they would be entombed alive. ![]() ![]() I fell in love with Italy, Rome in particular. Welcome, Suzanne!Ībout seven years ago (before my divorce, when I had some expendable income) I traveled to Rome with a group of writers. ![]() Today I have a guest post by author, Suzanne Tyrpak. ![]()
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