Rome's Vestal Virgins: A Study of Rome's Vestal Priestesses in the Late Republic

Description: Rome's Vestal Virgins by Robin Lorsch Wildfang Comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date, this volume offers a brand new analysis of the Vestal Virgins ritual function in Roman religion. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date, this volume offers a brand new analysis of the Vestal Virgins ritual function in Roman religion. Undertaking a detailed and careful analysis of ancient literary sources, Wildfang argues that the Vestals virginity must be understood on a variety of different levels and provides a solution to the problem of the Vestals peculiar legal status in ancient Rome.Addressing the one official state priesthood open to women at Rome, this volume explores and analyzes a range of topics including: the rituals enacted by priestesses (both the public rituals performed in connection with official state rites and festivals and the private rites associated only with the order itself) the division and interface between religion, state and family structure the Vestals participation in rights that were outside the sphere of traditional female activity. New and insightful, this investigation of one of the most important state cults in ancient Rome is an essential addition to the bookshelves of all those interested in Roman religion, history and culture. Back Cover Romes Vestal Virgins examines one of the most important state cults in ancient Rome and the role of the virgin priestesses in ancient Roman religion and society. It analyses the rituals these priestesses enacted, both the public rituals performed in connection with official state rites and festivals, and the private rites associated only with the order itself. Wildfang argues that the Vestals did not participate in Romes family structure and that this was done to ensure that the Vestals could represent Rome as a whole in the religious sphere without any risk of pollution from a family cult. She contends that the rituals the Vestals performed on behalf of the Roman state were neither fertility rites nor reflections of traditional female activities. Instead they were rites concerned with purification, storage and the preparation of harvested grain for food use, or sometimes a combination of all three areas at once. This exploration of the function of the Vestal Virgins in the changing Roman world, exposed to new and different cultures through the expansion of the Roman Empire, provides a new and penetrating investigation of a cult which was at the very centre of ancient Roman religion. Author Biography Univeristy of Aarhus, Denmark Table of Contents 1. Within the Aedes Vestae 2. The Vestals in Public 3. Vestal Initiation – The Rite of Captio 4. The Vestals Virginity 5. The Vestals Legal and Financial Position 6. The Vestals in the Romans History 7. The Vestals in Roman History. Conclusion. Appendix A: Latin and Greek Texts. Appendix B: List of Known Vestals. Long Description "Romes Vestal Virgins "examines Vestal Virgins role in ancient Roman religion and society, including topics such as: the public rituals these priestesses performed in connection with official state rites and festivals, the private rites associated only with the Vestal order, the Vestals own particular privileges and duties and the function of the order in both Roman history and the Romans view of their own history. It argues that the Vestals were at the same time both members of the Roman virgins and non-members of Romes family structure and that this was done to ensure that the Vestals could represent Rome as a whole on the religious level without any risk of pollution from a family cult. Wildfang contends that the rituals the Vestals performed on behalf of the Roman state were neither fertility rites nor reflections of traditional female activities. Instead they were rites concerned with purification, storage and the preparation of harvested grain for food use or sometimes a combination of all three areas at once. Finally, it explores how the Vestals own attitude to their cult and the world around them changed as they and the society in which they lived were exposed to new and different cultures through the expansion of the Roman Empire. Details ISBN0415397960 Author Robin Lorsch Wildfang Short Title ROMES VESTAL VIRGINS Language English ISBN-10 0415397960 ISBN-13 9780415397964 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2006 Imprint Routledge Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom Edition 1st Subtitle A Study of Romes Vestal Priestesses in the Late Republic and Early Empire Affiliation Univeristy of Aarhus, Denmark DOI 10.1604/9780415397964 AU Release Date 2006-07-19 NZ Release Date 2006-07-19 UK Release Date 2006-07-19 Illustrations 3 Halftones, black and white Pages 174 Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd Publication Date 2006-07-19 Alternative 9780415397957 DEWEY 937 Audience Undergraduate We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:139879250;

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