The new vestal virgins was really the only Roman women who was legally independent of the power of one’s pater familias. After they inserted the service they were provided a share regarding property over which they chose control. They starred a proper role in a few celebrations. The condition was extremely visible as they rode from roadways during the special chariots and you may received an educated seats on banquets, sunglasses additionally the theatre. Extremely important political documents and you may wills had been entrusted on their proper care. It occasionally swayed emperors.(81) The fresh vestals was indeed, but not, constantly beneath the authority of the pontiffs.
Ladies in JUDAISM
The latest spouses regarding priests were sometimes priestesses. The fresh new flaminica are the new partner of the flamen dialis and a beneficial priestess regarding Juno. When she died the woman husband’s priesthood is terminated.(82) Regarding the cults of the purple relatives about provinces, there had been girls priests serving the brand new divinized empresses.(83)
Particular cults, like those from Hercules and Mithra, acknowledge simply males. Anyone else, including the cult of one’s Bona Dea, accepted just ladies. A woman magistrate presided more than that it cult while the vestal virgins also played a role on it. Some of the ladies’ cults admitted solely those out of a specific societal or relationship category. The brand new cults away from Patrician Chastity and you may Womanly Luck admitted just patrician girls from just about that partner (univiri).
