Vestal Virgins Research Paper

A Vestal’s virginity allowed her to hold certain cultural liberties not seen during this time. While a woman’s legal status depended on men, a Vestal Virgin was exempt from such traditional views. For example, Eve D’ambra writes, “By tradition and law, the paterfamilias (the father) ruled the household and had pater potestas, the right of life and death over his dependents (49).” A Vestal Virgin was not subjugated to such a law. Daughters from prominent families between the ages of six and ten were considered by the Pontifex Maximus. Afterwards, those chosen by lot were forced to dedicate their lives to goddess and the rules of the College of Vesta and the Pontifex Maximus, the man under whose guardianship they remained under until their vows

The Pontifex Maximus, and the authority he yielded over the Vestals can be seen through his right to punish these women considered sacred (Schilling and Guittard 9584). The Vestal Virgins were considered the model women of Rome, an example of devout virgin women whose sole purpose was to follow the traditions of the Vesta Order; because of this, the Vestals were chosen with perfection in mind. A Vestal Virgin must remain untouched by man, must have no physical affliction or mental disorders, no speech impairments or hearing loss, and she must eventually learn how to read and write – something most Roman women were not allowed (Shultz 1505). Another unconventional privilege granted to the priestesses, and no other female Roman citizen, were the designated seats in both the Coliseum and the Circus Maximus. These seats, located right beneath the emperor, allowed the Vestals to spectate the chariot races and gladiator games (suzzaneadair.com). The participation of Vestals in such affairs was considered a great