The Vestal Virgins were the six girls and women who tended to the perpetual fire in the Temple of Vesta. These women were chosen from Rome's noble families between the ages of 6 and 10 and were required to serve for 30 years. Their 30 years of service were split into decade-long periods, the first of which
being the student period when they learned the proper rituals and requirements that they would have to follow. During the second period, servant, they were to carry out these responsibilities. The third stage, teacher, was a period where they taught the young, new Vestals in their student stage. During this period they took a vow of chastity, the violation of which would result in a punishment of being buried alive, as it was not allowed for the blood of a Vestal Virgin to be spilled. It was also a law that no one may be buried within the city, which this practice violated.
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History:
Vestal Virgins
Sophia Duhon