The Law Of Christian Worship - 2242 Words

women.† Not only does this demonstrate the necessity for the Vestals to remain in the temple to perform their duties, it demonstrates their elevated status within the republic. Their role as servants to a state cult was so crucial to social life that they were entrusted in the care of other Roman women – women whose service was always directed to the patriarchs of society. These Vestals were tended to, in a similar manner that was granted to the male populace, in their time of illness. It was common belief that the female entity was capable of giving care and service to those of higher status than themselves, though she was not an independent figure herself. Therefore, having married women tend to and care for them is telling of the†¦show more content†¦This tale suggests that, even beyond the world of the living, the Vestal priestesses were protecting and serving their goddess and condemning those that would do her harm. The legitimacy of this account is debatable, however the fact that it persisted for so long demonstrates the kind of impact the Vestals made on the Roman republic and her powers in popular imagination. Perhaps the reason that Vestal Virgins were bequeathed such tremendous privilege is because they were servants of a deity. Despite their status as females in the state, they were independent and revered as such because they provided a service to the empire by appealing to and providing for a major pagan goddess. Furthermore, these priestesses were perceived as no ordinary beings, since they were granted the divine grace, knowledge, and protection of Vesta. To the Roman population, these Vestals were in a league of their own, and as such they deserved high respect and privilege. There is also reason to believe they received these distinctions because of their role as mothers of Roman society. Evidence of their recognition as matriarchs of Rome can be traced back to the story detailing the creation of the state, which is recorded in Book One of The History of Rome by Livy. Rhea Silvia was the daughter of an early Roman king when the throne was usurped and the successor assassinated. The new king had â€Å"Rhea Silvia, his brother