Women in Roman Religion Pre-christianity, there were two types of roman religion. State supported indigenous cults, and imported cults, adopted by Roman culture. A woman’s place within these religious structures varied. In general however, the cult system offered opportunities for women that they were often denied in the greater society. Sexual expression, creative development, and freedom from the constricts of society were some of the benefits a cult offered. It is easy to see the appeal of the cult for women, especially the appeal of the goddess cult. Roman women used religion to define themselves. Goddess worship shaped women’s idea of themselves, and how they were seen in society.

These three goddesses all had large cult followings. Some exclusively female, others welcoming to both sexes. They’re significance to Roman history can be seen in what they help us to understand about women’s role in society.

Vesta -Goddess of the hearth, she was a native Roman deity whose cult can be traced back to the 7th century BC. -Interpreted to be a translation of the Greek Hestia, a public celebration was held in her honor, annually, on June 7th. -Because she represented the hearth, and was therefore perceived to be formless, she is rarely depicted visually Vesta

The Temple of Vesta The Temple Vesta was the goddess of the hearth and it’s eternal flame. In one’s home, the hearth’s flame signified the balance of family and community. In the temple of Vesta a sacred fire was kept continually burning. The eternal flame symbolized the eternal life of the Rome State. Vesta was worshipped in nearly every Roman household. Every hearth was considered to be her shrine. She was believed to control the emotional stability of the family. The sacred fire in her temple wa s never to be extinguished. This would show, that Rome was not destined for eternal rule.

-The vestal virgins were a group of six priestesses who served the goddess Vesta. -Each girl was chosen from Rome’s most distinguished families between the ages of They’re duty was maintaining the sacred fire inside the Temple of Vesta. -Each priestess served for thirty years -For these thirty years, she was to remain, (yep, you guessed it), a virgin. -The development of the vestal virgin’s rituals and practices is in large part attributed Numa Pompilius.

-The “virgin” is one third of the the three part life cycle of the Roman woman. The virgin, the mother, and the crone. -In Roman society because she had not yet given her body to a anyone, she belonged to no one. To the Romans, this meant she belonged to everyone. In other words, she belonged to the city of Rome. -Virginity also signified that a woman was extremely fertile, because to the Romans, chastity was thought to create “stored up fertility”. -The punishment for a vestal who broke her vow of purity, was to be buried alive. It was thought that if she was innocent, Vesta would come to her rescue. -The vestal’s virginity was believed to dictate the well-being of the Roman State. Therefore when a crisis occurred, the vestals were often put under scrutiny about their chastity.

Fortuna -Also a native to Rome, Fortuna was the goddess of fate,chance, fortune, luck, and was thought to be the protector of women’s lives and sexual satisfaction. -Her symbols were the sphere, the wheel, and the cornucopia. -A gold statue of Fortuna was traditionally kept in the sleeping quarters of the Roman Emperor. -Her statue was also kept in the homes of people known in their community for having very good, or very bad luck.

-There were two prominent cults of Fortuna. The Fortuna Virginalis or Virgo cult, and the Fortuna Primigenia cult. -Fortuna Virginalis was the protector, and patroness, of young girls coming of age. “Adolescent girls dedicated to this goddess the little togas they had worn in girlhood. After this dedication, a girl donned a stola, the dress by which a respectable matron was distinguished from a toga-clad prostitute.”(Pomeroy, pg206) -Fortuna Primigenia was the patron and protector of mothers, and childbirth. Her cult was open to both sexes, however only after marriage.

-Originally an Egyptian deity, called Aset, she was adopted into Roman culture around 86 BCE and redefined as the popular roman deity, Isis. She is the mother goddess. The protector of children, childbirth, and fertility. - Associated with the moon, she is the goddess of ten thousand names.

-During the Hellenistic period in Rome, she developed a large following of worshippers who created the mystery cult of Isis. -Mystery cults, or religions are defined by being centered around one deity. A deity who appeals to, or has the potential to fill the needs of it’s followers. This created a communities of people who often shared a common goal, or dream. -The mystery cult of Isis was extremely popular, however it was not a state sanctioned cult. -Her cult was abandoned as the rise of christianity began in Rome. The Cult of Isis

In pompeii

1)“Isis,” Wikapida, Date accessed: 5/4//04 at 2) Green, David,“Mystery Religions,” Date accessed: 5/4/04 at 3) Green,David, “Isis Mysteries,” Date accessed: 5/5/04 at 4) “Women in Roman Religion: The Vestal Virgins,” Date accessed: 5/1/ )“Vestal Virgin’s: The Only Female Priesthood in Rome,” Roman Religion and Mythology/Lexicon, Date accessed: 5/1/04 at 6) “Vesta: Goddess of the Hearth,” Roman Religion and Mythology/Lexicon, Date accessed 5/3/04 at 7) “Fortuna,” Bards Circle, Date accesed: 5/13/04 at 8)“Temple of Vesta,” Roman Religion and Mythology/Lexicon, Date accessed: 5/1/04 at 9) Husain,Shahrukh. The Goddess: Creation, Fertility, Abundance, the Sovereignty of Woman Myths and Archetypes. New York: Duncan Baird Publishers, ) Pomeroy, Sarah B. Goddesses,Whores,Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity. New York: Schocken Books Inc., ) Goodrich, Norma Lorre. Priestesses. New York/Toronto: Franklin Watts, 1989.