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AGE OF REBELLION DUTY TRIAL
Leading to both being put on trial for their rebellion. However, Licinia was not yet retired, and still a vestal virgin at the time. Hoping to take her property for a cheap price if he won her heart. He was renowned for being a greedy man, and due to the property and power of Licinica, went to woe her. Licinia went down in history due to her connection to Marcus Licinius Crassus. She also convinced two other vestal members in performing the same act, which caused all three women to be punished and sentenced to death.
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What made this such an extreme and documented case was due to Aemilia performing incest on several occasions. The Vestal virgin named Aemilia was put to death in 114 BCE for breaking her celibacy vows. She was the niece to the King Amulius of Alba Longa, who later banished her baby sons into the Tiber River which sparked the beginning of Rome. She was the mythical mother of the famous twins Remus and Romulus, who were the creators of Rome. The most famous Vestal Virgins to exist Rhea Silvia As it was a sin to shed vestal blood, they would kill the member by burying her alive in the underground chambers of the House of Vestal. With whipping or death sentences being the most documented punishments. If a member allowed the fire to go out, snuck out of the temple after curfew, or broke their celibacy vows, they would have disastrous consequences. They vestals were kept under strict rules and traditions, with any rebellion to be meet by severe punishments. The Punishments they enduredĪlthough compared to regular women, they have extreme power in the city, their liberty was limited in other ways.
AGE OF REBELLION DUTY FREE
They were free of any man’s control, with no husband or fathers to regulate them. If anyone was to harm a member, they were immediately put to death.įor this reason, they had certain privilege, being able to vote, own property, and join in on particular public events which were forbidden for regular women. They were considered completely truthful and gentle souls, with even the power to turn a slave to a free man with just a simple touch. They were very important to the Romans, with their power protecting everyone in the city from harm. In comparison, the women of Vestal were seen as pure and powerful beings. Back then, women were citizens but had a lot of restrictions and rules that limited them from power. Vestal Virgins were by far the most influential women in Ancient Rome. This cult was so exclusive, there were only three virgins in each step, with a total of six members at all times. The last ten years were to teach the new recruits. Their last ten years were to perform the rituals and to maintain the everlasting fire. The first ten years were to learn the ways of the college, with the senior virgins passing on the traditional ways and beliefs. They were selected from noble born families only, as it was seen as a great honour if a child was chosen. Each virgin was chosen from a young age, averaging ages six to ten years old. The Lifespan of a VestalĪll up, a vestal virgin’s life within the Temples lasted 30 years. They have seen a magical being to Romans, is the most powerful women in the entire Roman empire. Women were only accepted into the cult if they were completely pure beings, i.e. Being entirely made up of women, who lived on top of the Palatine Hill in the ancient Temple and House of Vestal. They became one of the most exclusive cult groups in all of Rome. Its entire duration lasted 1,000 years, only ending due to the Christian snuffing out the flames.
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Therefore, a group was formed to be responsible for this vital job, forever to be known as the Vestal Virgins. The fire was to be kept lit until the end of time, or else the region would be vulnerable to fall. However, to thank and honour Vesta for protecting the city, a magical fire was lit and given to the King in 700 B.C. Who was the goddess of the hearth, the home, and domestic life? She was one of the main deities to the Romans and was said to protect the city from any harm. The Vestal Virgins were the priestesses to the Roman goddess Vesta. One of the well-preserved temples is known as the Temple of Vesta, home to the ancient cult of the Vestal Virgins. A labyrinth of ruins, the overgrown grassland is scattered with crumbling buildings, half destroyed statues, and the foundations of once massive temples. Nestled in the bustling city of Rome sits the ancient world of the Roman Forum. Who was these women? And what did they do? The Temple of Vesta, named after the goddess of the hearth, was once home to the Vestal Virgins.
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