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:

Here’s an amazing item (from my collection) that I’d like to share with you. It’s the press photo taken shortly after the excavation of the tomb of the Vestal Cossinia in Tivoli, Italy, around 1930. This esteemed and beloved priestess served the goddess for sixty-six years.

From books to movies, television shows to video games, it seems that Cleopatra just can’t catch a break.  Popular culture still insists on depicting her as the so-called “Whore of the Nile,” thus perpetuating the smear campaign started by Octavian after he defeated her (and Marc Antony) some two millennia ago.