Die vestalischen Jungfrauen in der römischen Kaiserzeit - Livres de poche

The vestal virgins were the virgin holy female priests of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. Their primary task was to maintain the sacred fire of Vesta near the Forum Romanum. They were the only female priests within the Roman religious system. Detailed clauses ensured their celibacy and greater privileges. The Vestal Virgins were committed to the priesthood at a young age and were sworn to celibacy for a period of 30 years and represented a special charisma: Vesta, fire, and community. During the early Roman Empire the vestal duty brought great honour and privileges to women who served in that role. Their prestige was based on their proximity to the emperor who was also Pontifex Maximus and watched over the vestals. As the Roman Empire changed into a monarchy, the proximity to the emperor turned the vestals into a powerful and influential force. This volume presents for the first time all evidence dealing with the history of the vestal virgins of Rome from the times of Emperor Augustus until the End of the 3rd century AD. It analyses all literary texts, inscriptions, and statutes. The author describes the legal bases as well as the cultic duties of the vestals, their sacred place and their social background. By doing so, the author contributes to the understanding of these priestesses.