First Advisor

Brian Turner

Date of Award

Spring 6-16-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in History and University Honors

Department

History

Language

English

Subjects

Vestal virgins, Religion and politics -- Rome – History, Rome -- History – Augustus (30 B.C.-14 A.D.), Augustus Emperor of Rome (63 B.C.-14 A.D), Roman law -- History

DOI

10.15760/honors.1276

Abstract

For centuries, ancient historians have been intrigued by the Vestal Virgins, a priestess order older than Rome itself that was dedicated to Vesta, Roman goddess of the hearth. From our ancient sources we can glean that the cult, though shrouded in mystery, was regarded as playing an invaluable role in the prosperity of Rome and notions of what it meant to be Roman. Scholars such as Mary Beard and Ariadne Staples have been pioneers in studies of the Vestals, proposing the widely accepted theories that the Vestals served as physical embodiments of republican values, Roman people, and the city of Rome itself. Operating until the mid-4th century CE, the Vestal Virgins would continue to serve Vesta throughout the civil war, the fall of the republic, the advent of the principate, and centuries of monarchial rule. This paper seeks to understand how and why, particularly in the context of Augustus' reign. How is it that such a robust republican institution was preserved during the transition to autocratic rule, and what allowed for this to happen? Answering these questions will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of Augustus' political strategy, but also the ideological significance of the Vestal Virgins.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/37852

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