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Coelia Concordia was the last Vestal Virgin - the last great pagan priestess - of ancient Rome. It was during her tenure as chief Vestal that the Christian emperor Theodosius forcibly disbanded the Vestal Order. By having a jeweler recreate the medallion shown on her statue, it is my hope to restore just a little of the dignity that this important woman deserves.
The ancient Roman world was polytheistic—Romans believed in and honored multiple gods. The most important of these gods were the dii consentes—six gods and six goddesses, which more or less mirrored the twelve Greek Olympian gods. Vesta was one of them, and her Greek equivalent was Hestia.
Here, I’d like to talk a little about the fall of Rome—a changing Rome—through the eyes of a very important woman who was about to become very unimportant. The last chief Vestal priestess of the Roman Empire, a woman named Coelia Concordia. And how the prophecy that she and countless Romans through the ages believed - that Rome would fall when Vesta’s fire went out - was above to be proven true.
This article is for readers of my novel Rhea Silvia which is the first book in The First Vestals of Rome trilogy. This series covers the legendary founding and the first years of the kingdom of Rome, and focuses on the Vestal priestesses that were prominent during this time period - and that starts with Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus.
This article is for readers of my novel Tarpeia, which is the second book in The First Vestals of Rome trilogy, a series about the founding Vestal priestesses of ancient Rome. Many of the characters and legends that you’ll read about in my books are depicted on ancient Roman coinage, so I thought readers would be interested in seeing these
This article is for readers of my novel Amata, which is the third and final book in The First Vestals of Rome trilogy, a series set during the founding and earliest years of Rome. Many of the characters and legends that you’ll read about in my books are found on ancient Roman coinage, so I’ve included some relevant coins from my collection for readers to take a peek at.
Despite the richness of the Vesta tradition, many people who think “Vestal Virgin” still think of one thing: the fact that ancient Vestals who broke their vow of chaste service to the goddess were buried alive. Let’s be honest. Who can blame people for going there? It’s a pretty dramatic image: a young woman being thrown into a shallow grave and trying to claw her way out while dirt is being piled…
Right now, at this moment, there’s something you’re not happy about. There’s something in your life that is holding you back. There is something you really want. Think... what is it? Using an intention candle is a simple and beautiful spiritual ritual that can help you manifest your intention and bring it into your life.
Anyone with even a passing knowledge of ancient literature and art can feel the love the Romans had for their gods and goddesses. They felt reverence for their gods, and turned to them in times of trouble and sorrow. And more and more, people are again turning to them for spiritual focus, meaning and comfort.
The Vestal Virgins were respected and revered for over a thousand years in ancient Rome. Learn how their powerful order was banished and how a new religious order of women - early Christian nuns - became the norm… because it didn’t happen without a fight, and as the Vestal Order fell, so too did many of the greatest freedoms of antiquity as the Western world moved into the Dark Ages.
Being a Vestal Virgin in ancient Rome came with many privileges and opportunities, but it also came with some risks.
This article is for readers of my novel Empire of Iron, which is the third and last book in The Vesta Shadows trilogy, a book series that follows the life of the Vestal Virgin Pomponia Occia through the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, and beyond.
This article is for readers of my novel To Be Wolves, which is book two in The Vesta Shadows Trilogy, a series that follows the life of the Vestal Pomponia Occia through the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.
This article is for readers of my novel Brides of Rome, which is book one in The Vesta Shadows Trilogy. This series spans the later years of the Republic and the early years of the Empire, and follows the life of the Vestal Virgin Pomponia Occia, who is based on the real-life priestess Occia. Since many of the characters and events you’ll read about in my novels are depicted on ancient Roman…
The simpulum is an ancient ritual ladle that was used for libations and during sacrifices. It was a symbol of the Roman priesthood, and you probably have something very similar banging around in a kitchen drawer.
The Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum tends to get most of the attention - and considering the centuries of history that happened within its view, why not? - but the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli deserves our love too.
If you’ve ever had the good fortune to visit the ruins of the Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum, you’ll know that you can get fairly close to this beauty; however, there is a barrier that prevents you from getting too close. You can’t really see, and you certainly can’t enter, the circular area that was inside the temple – that is, the area where the eternal fire burned for some thousand years.
The most authentic images we have of the Vestal Virgins are of course from antiquity – these are statues, relief carvings and images minted on coins. As beautiful and informative as these are, it is wonderful to see more modern treatments.
I thought those who follow this site would appreciate this post and this remarkable black and white photograph.
Here is a prayer to Vesta, adapted from an ancient Homeric hymn:
Fire has long been a holy symbol, a symbol of the soul, of eternity and the divine. Fire worship is one of the earliest forms of religion known to humankind – one can almost imagine our ancient ancestors marveling at the sight of a red ember crackling out of a fire and flying up and away into the black night sky. It just sparks a sense of reverence, doesn’t it? We are no different today when we…
