Who were the Vestal Virgins, and what was their job? - Peta Greenfield
9,786,686
Published 2017-05-30
--
In ancient Rome, Vestal Virgins were tasked with keeping vigil over the flame of Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth. The flame represented two things: the continuation of Rome as a power in the world and the continuing virginity of Vesta’s priestesses. But what was life really like for these Vestal Virgins? Peta Greenfield goes back in time to find out.
Lesson by Peta Greenfield, animation by Kozmonot Animation Studio.
Support Our Non-Profit Mission
----------------------------------------------
Support us on Patreon: bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon
Check out our merch: bit.ly/TEDEDShop
----------------------------------------------
Connect With Us
----------------------------------------------
Sign up for our newsletter: bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter
Follow us on Facebook: bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook
Find us on Twitter: bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter
Peep us on Instagram: bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram
----------------------------------------------
Keep Learning
----------------------------------------------
View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/who-were-the-vestal-virgins-and…
Dig deeper with additional resources: ed.ted.com/lessons/who-were-the-vestal-virgins-and…
----------------------------------------------
All Comments (21)
-
Is it just me or is literally everything in the ancient world was punishable by death.
-
15 yrs olds: I was born in the wrong generation Ancient romans: am i a joke to you
-
“Imagine dying just because a flame went out”
-
imagine starving to death with no light, no water, no air, no way out. Just because a random person labelled you "impure"
-
This takes "You had one job" to a whole other level
-
All this for a fire.
-
When the video ended, I legit went “THAT’S IT!?” 😂 The ending is so depressing
-
“Impure” literally spells “I’m Pure,” SOOOOOOOOO
-
glad that I am born in 21st century
-
I'm always curious how these types of rituals get started. At the very beginning someone had to start the fire, proclaim its importance, and set the practice of the virgins to maintain it.
-
Vestal virgins were very important at that time and they had very strong social and political hold. Societies find ways to take revenge from such people. It could be politically motivated as well.
-
that one guy saying that one of the virgins were the one, is like that one player in among saying a random color and everyone be like "ok"
-
This is some next level animation
-
The vestal virgins were turned into nuns when the emperor Constantine adopted Christianity as the state religion.
-
Guys, can we take a moment to appreciate how good the animation was!??
-
I was expecting a history lesson but I'll settle for a tragic story
-
This is so upsetting. Someone should make a whole movie about a Vestal Virgin due to be sacrificed.
-
The art and narrator seem nice but the reality of the situation is really messed up, especially when you think about how real people had to to though this.. :'-(
-
"The romans believed that if the flame goes out, the city's in danger" Wooow! No, if the fire spreads😐😐👏👏👏
-
Vestal virgins: were supposed to be pure Elagabalus: marries one
