School of Vestals
The vestal virgins were girls chosen for a period of thirty years.
In the first ten years they learned their duties, in the second ten they practiced them, and during the third they instructed the novices.
Besides tending the sacred fire, the vestals offered sacrifice and poured on the altar libations of wine and oil. They occupied seats of honor at public games.
Like the members of later Christian sisterhoods, they were bound by vows not to marry.
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Learning Extension: Have students compare and contrast Rome's Vestals with Catholic nuns.
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