institution
Virgines Vestales
the Vestals
College of priestesses of Vesta vowed to chastity and the keeping of the sacred fire; breach of the vow (incestum) was punished by burial alive.
Reading notes
- The Letters §4.11.6 chief of the Vestals
The Virgines Vestales, priestesses of Vesta vowed to chastity; their head was the Vestalis Maxima.
- The Letters §7.19.2 Virgins
The Vestal Virgins, six priestesses vowed to chastity who guarded Vesta's eternal flame.