Vestal v: Did you mean...?

In many societies, ancient and modern, religion has performed a major role in their development, and the Roman Empire was no different. From the beginning Roman religion was polytheistic. From an initial array of gods and spirits...

Temple of Vesta. This was the location of the eternal flame which was kept burning at all times. Vestals would vow an oath of service & chastity for a period of 30 years to the Goddess Vesta. Vestals had rank and privilege in...

Hestia is the ancient Greek goddess of the hearth and home, and of hospitality so her responsibilities included presiding over the preparation of family meals, baking bread, and entertaining guests. As...

The ancient Romans had a rich mythology and, while much of it was derived from their neighbors and predecessors, the Greeks, it still defined the rich history of the Roman people as they eventually grew into an empire. Roman writers...

The Battle of Actium (2 September 31 BCE, fought in the Ionian Sea off Actium, Greece) was the decisive engagement of the civil war fought between Octavian Caesar (l. 63-14 CE, later known as Augustus, r. 27 BCE - 14 CE) and the...

Paulus Orosius (usually given as Orosius, 5th century) was a Christian theologian and historian who was also a friend and protege of Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430). He is best known for his...

The founding of Rome is a legendary tale about the twins and demigods, Romulus and Remus. In Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia and either the god Mars or...

The lives of ancient Roman women and the exact roles played by them both in ancient Rome and all throughout the ancient world are pretty obscure, due to the focus of both the ancient male writers, and the nineteenth...

Artist's impression of a Roman woman, dressed as a Priestess of Vesta, performing sacred rites. Invocation by Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton (1830–1896 CE). Oil on Canvas.

The 1st century BCE circular temple of Vesta (or Hercules), by the Tiber in Rome. The unusually tall Corinthian columns of Pentelic marble would once have been topped by an entablature. The present roof is a later addition...