Women in religon- Rome

Question 1

Preisthood difference

Answer 1

Men mostly were priests
Most cults even female presised by Men
Women excluded from colleges.

Question 2

Vestal virgins

Answer 2

Important female role to be vestal virgin

College of vestal virgins comprised with 6 women taking care of the vesta temple

Question 3

Main roles for vestal virgins

Answer 3

• Tend to the sacred fire. make sure it was never out accidently
• once a year put it out and clean and purify temple
• Presises certain festivals and sacrafices
• Assist with worship to Bona dea and vesta w blood sacrafices
• Bake sacred salt cake used at sacrafice
• Act as gaurdians to important documents.

Question 4

Consequences

Answer 4

consequence of letting fire out was severe

consequence of unchaste women was entombed ina cave

Question 5

Advantages of being a vestal virgin

Answer 5

• free from a paterfamilias, no longer under control of father
  -manage own property and will
  -only women in rome allowed to travel by carriage
  -protection, harming was sacareligous and so death was punishment.
  -if met anyone who would be executed they could be pardonded
• special seats at shows
  lived in a palitaial residence, in house of vestal virgins. next to temple

Question 6

Choosing a vesta virgin

Answer 6

• 20 eligable girls chosen from public
• had to be 6-10, no defects
• child of 2 parents in rome.