The Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, chosen as children to swear celibacy for 30 years in exchange for a life of independence and privilege—at least on the surface. Unlike most Roman women, Vestals lived independently, enjoyed privileges typically reserved for men, and wielded social influence. But their power was conditional—contingent on their obedience to the rigid expectations of chastity and service. Failure to conform meant death, while faithful service left them with a life they never chose in the first place.

If a Vestal broke her vow of chastity, she faced a horrific fate: buried alive in an underground chamber, left to die in darkness. This brutal punishment underscored the reality that a woman’s worth was defined not by her wisdom or service but by her perceived purity. Societies have used the concept of virginity to uphold patriarchal power, defining women by what they have or haven’t done rather than who they are. The Vestal Virgins’ lives were shaped by this illusion, just as many women today are judged by the same outdated standards.