Vestalia

Vestalia was a significant festival in Roman religion dedicated to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. Vesta was crucial in both family and state worship due to the importance of fire in early Roman life. Her sanctuary, often a circular building, housed a perpetual fire tended by Vestal Virgins. This fire was ritually renewed annually on March 1st, and its accidental extinguishing was considered a bad omen. The festival itself, Vestalia, occurred from June 7th to 15th, during which the temple's inner sanctuary was opened to married women. These days were considered unlucky, concluding with the ceremonial cleaning of the temple. The Vestal Virgins, chosen between ages 6 and 10, served for 30 years, maintaining chastity and tending to Vesta's cult, enjoying unique privileges in return.12