The House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum
The Atrium Vestae in the Roman Forum, with statues of former chief Vestals ranged along the courtyard. Six women lived here at a time, on the most valuable ground in the city, next to the hearth whose fire they were forbidden to let go out.
The Vestals held rights no other Roman woman had: they were released from paternal authority, could make wills, gave evidence without an oath, and had front seats at the games. They also faced a penalty no one else faced — a Vestal convicted of breaking her vow of chastity was buried alive, since her blood could not lawfully be shed. Privilege and jeopardy came from the same source, which was that the state had made its own safety depend on their conduct. See power, privilege and peril among the Vestal Virgins.
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