1 Earliest Rome

8.4 The Vestal Virgins
this dispensation, and that those who have did not prosper from it: they passed the rest of
their life in repentance and misery and so inspired such pious foreboding in the others
that they continued steadfastly in their virginity until old age and death. 2
(10.3) Numa gave them great honours, among which was their right to make a will
during the lifetime of their father and to deal with their other affairs without the need for
a guardian, like mothers of three children. 3
When they appear in public, the fasces are
carried in front of them. And if they, by chance, meet someone being carried off to
execution, then he is spared; but the virgin must swear that the meeting was
unintentional and fortuitous, and that it had not been contrived. If anyone, on the other
hand, passes under a litter on which the Vestals are being carried, he is put to death. As
punishment for their minor offences, the virgins are beaten, the pontifex maximus
sometimes flogging the offender naked, in a dark place, with a cloth spread out to
conceal her. But the priestess who dishonours her virginity is buried alive near the
Colline Gate.' 1
In this spot, just within the city, there is an embankment of earth
stretching for some distance; it is called the agger hi Latin. Here a small chamber is
constructed underground, with a way in from above. And in it is placed a couch,
complete with covers, and a lighted lamp; there are as well small portions of life's
necessities - such as bread, a jug of water, milk, oil — as if they were trying to escape the
charge of starving to death a person consecrated to the greatest services of the gods.
(10.6) They put the offender herself on a litter, completely covering her over and
fastening the covers down with straps, so that not even a cry can be heard from inside;
then they carry her through the Forum. Everyone stands aside silently to let her pass, and
without a sound they escort the litter in dreadful sorrow. There is no other sight more
awful than this; nor does the city ever experience a day more gloomy When the litter has
arrived at the spot, the attendants loosen the fastenings and the pontifex maximus utters
mysterious prayers, stretching out his hands to the gods before the fatal moment; then he
takes the priestess, closely veiled, and sets her on the ladder that leads down to the
chamber below. Then he himself turns away, along with the other priests. But when she
has gone down, the ladder is taken up and the chamber is buried with a great quantity of
earth thrown from above, making the place level with the rest of the embankment. This
is the manner of punishment for those who abandon their sacred virginity.
1. Servius Tullius, the legendary sixth king of Rome.
2. Tacitus, Annals U.Sd records the death of a Vestal who had served fifty-seven yeats.
3. Mothers of three children were given special legal privileges at Rome.
4. Towards the north of the built-up area of the citv.
8.4b Inscriptions honouring Vestals
Several statues of individual Vestals (mostly of the third century A.D.) have
been found in and around their house and temple in the Forum — as well as
large bases, originally supporting the statues, inscribed with the name of the
priestess concerned, and the reason for this honour. Some of these texts show
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