In ancient Rome there were priestesses, servants of the goddess Vesta.Women Vestal ancient Rome, who occupied this position enjoyed the privileges of urgency in society, personal inviolability and received high salaries.In the media, the emphasis in the description of their way of life is placed on the indispensable presence of the vestal virgin, that at least is the main feature of this profession, but did not disclose most of its specific features.
Origin priestly cult of Vesta and its features
As noted above, Vestal - a priestess of the goddess Vesta, the origin of the cult of which is lost in the centuries.We only know that it is related to the Greek cult of the sacred fire of the protected old maids.
assumed that the Institute has created Vestal Numa Pompilius, streamline religious dogmas and duties Vestal established such as the maintenance and incitement of the sacred fire, keeping shrines and private treasures, as well as carrying out sacrifices to the goddess Vesta.
Terms selecting candidates for the post of Vestal
continuously cult served six Vestals, choose as a vital means of rotation of the draw of twenty healthy girls aged 6-10, came from a patrician family and settled with their families in Italy.
During the initiation ceremony the young vestal passed through the atrium of Vesta, which was subjected to the procedure of cutting the hair as an offering to the sacred tree on which hung the hair then.Age sacred tree in Rome in the age of Pliny the Elder has passed for half a millennium.Then devoted vestal dressed in all white, received the second name "Beloved" is added to its Roman name, and began his studies in the sanctuary.
She had to go through the training and mentoring services, a total of 30 years.After the service Vestal became free and could even get married, but becoming a Roman matron it lost all of its rights and privileges.
rights and obligations as the vestal priestesses
Maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta in Rome was seen as the Light of the empire, it was quenched with only the first day of the new year, its damping was considered a disaster similar to the imperial collapse.In this case, the fire had to manually raise the friction of wood on wood and punish delinquent Vestal scourging.Therefore priestess of ancient Rome in the minds of the Romans were the servants of the goddess, radeyuschie for the prosperity of the empire.
Vestal were presented rich gifts, which they dispose of at their own discretion.They owned vast estates, brings them a large income;Emperors Trays them generous gifts.In addition, when entering Vestal office, she received a large sum from the family.
Insult Vestal - even at the level of everyday rudeness - punishable by death.
Another way of Vestal - an image of the divine judge.When a chance encounter with convicted last handed down a pardon.
Virginity as a pledge of divine purity
basis priestly cult of the priestesses of Vesta was a virgin, the personification of the divine immaculate cleanliness, environmental and preserve the sacred fire.Vestal is realized to the full, giving the vow of chastity with the entry into service of the goddess.
Vestal punishment for violation of celibacy was extremely harsh - it was punishable by being buried alive.However, in Rome penalty Vestal considered a grave sin, so charged with sneaking through the city, strapped to the seat, in the remote game.People around the fact happening was perceived as the hardest mountain.In place of burial exhumed a small depression that takes the form of the tunnel, on arrival which unleashes Vestal slaves and after reading the high priest praying silently down the tunnel, which then walled up a one-day supply of food and water.
I must say that was not uncommon, and justify the Vestal Virgins.After the trial, they received a prescription, correcting their appearance and manners.
daily and social life Vestal
House of the Vestals, together with the Temple of Vesta was a single functional complex.It is known that he was an atrium surrounded by two-story portico on columns.The rooms were built of brick and built in two floors, no different from the simple Roman house.However, the presence of a huge spacious hall for a reception suggests that the building was also used for administrative purposes.
Vestal were welcome guests and binding on the main celebrations taking place in Rome.During the procession through the streets ahead of the Vestal Virgins always went lictor, performs ceremonial and guard duties.In some cases Vestal rode in chariots.
image Vestal art
Vestal art known since the days of the existence of the cult.The most famous of them posed for sculptors and their finished statues were installed in foster halls, including the house of the Vestals themselves.
Vestal - a priestess of the goddess and the servants, so they wore the same clothes, which is a long tunic and a white bandage is worn on the head.In this garb, they are often portrayed in the paintings of artists.
The literature was also devoted to his ideals imprinted image of Vestal.Fidelity to his cult and the people of Rome to be fully revealed in one of the most acclaimed novels of the last century.Roman "vestal" Nikolai Nikonov covered by the action of almost quarter of a century;He wrote the first book on the Life of the priestesses in the bosom of the heroic age.This book is written in two parts, has repeatedly been attacked by the public and critics for her "darkness" of the plot and the narrative linearity.However, the last symbol of the militarist epoch still became Nikonov, "Vestal" which picked up one of the most tragic problems in the history of mankind - the confrontation between women and war.
