LIFE AS A VESTAL VIRGIN
Selected between the ages of six and ten, the job of the Vestal Virgins was(House of the Vestal Virgins), in the Roman Forum. Vestal Virgins – taken from patrician families – swore a 30-year vow of chastity and their careers were divided into three parts: ten years were spent as initiates, taught by older priestesses; the second ten years were spent as priestesses, and the final decade was dedicated to mentoring new initiates. Vestal Virgins enjoyed many privileges not available to ordinary Roman women, such as the ability to own property in their own right, some tax exemptions, and emancipation from the power held over the family by a father or other male relative.
