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Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman mythology, analogous to Hestia in Greek mythology. She is never depicted: the sacred flame was her numinous presence.

1 Deity

Vesta was introduced in Rome by King Numa Pompilius. She was a native Roman deity (some authors suggest received from the Sabine cults), presumably the daughter of Saturn and Ops (or Rea). However, the similarity with the cult of Greek Hestia is notable. Vesta too protected the familiar harmony and, extensively, the State. Apollo and Neptune had asked for her in marriage, but she refused both, preferring to preserve her virginity, whose symbol was the perpetually lit " fire" in her circular fane next to the Forum which the Romans always distinguished from a temple by calling it her "house.".

2 Vestales

The fire was guarded by her priestA priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. Priests have been known since the earliest times and in the simplest societies (see shamaesses, the VestalesFrederick Leighton, ca 1890: Leighton's artistic sense has won over his passion for historical accuracy in showing the veil over the Vestal's head at sacrifices, the suffibulum as translucent, instead of fine white wool In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins. Every March 1March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). There are 305 days remaining. Events BC 29 BC Horace writes the ode Occidit Daci Cotisonis agmen''. AD First thousand years 286 Maximian proclaimed junior Roman emperor. the fire was renewed. It burned until AD 391Events All non- Christian temples in the Roman Empire are closed Quintus Aurelius Symmachus is urban prefect in Rome, and petitions Theodosius I to re-open the pagan temples. He is opposed by Ambrose King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo ascends to the th, when the EmperorRoman Emperor is the title historians use to refer to the ruler of the Roman Empire. It was not actually used, and there was never actually any single office corresponding to it. Rather, the title "Roman Emperor" is a convenient shorthand for a complicate Theodosius IFlavius Theodosius (Cauca [Coca-Segovia], Spain ca 346 Milan, January 17, 395), also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great was a Roman emperor. He was the son of a senior military officer, Theodosius the Elder. Theodosius was, briefly, the last rul forbade public paganPaganism (or Heathenism ) is a catch-all term which has come to bundle together (by extension from its original classical meaning of a non- Christian religion) a very broad set of not necessarily compatible religious beliefs and practices that are usually worshipWorship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such as a god or goddess. Religious worship may be performed individually, in informally organized groups, or as part of an organi. One of the Vestales was Rea Silvia, who with Mars conceived Romulus and Remus (see founding of Rome).

The Vestales were one of the few full time clergy positions in Roman religion. They were drawn from the patrician class and had to observe absolute chastity for 30 years (they were also called the Vestal virgins). They could not show excessive care of their person, and they must not let the fire go out. The Vestal Virgins lived together in a house (Atrium Vestae) near the Forum, supervised by the Pontifex Maximus. On becoming a priestess, a Vestal Virgin was legally emancipated from her father's authority. If a Vestal broke her vow of chastity before the 30 years were up, she was condemned to be buried alive in the Campus Sceleris (camp of damned people); this is what probably happened to Rea Silvia.

The Vestales wore a tunica, a simple dress that they used for both the temple and everyday life (people in Rome usually dressed one way at home and another for the outdoors). In Italian, the vestaglia (dressing-gown) is named after the clothes worn by the Vestales.