This article contains spoilers for Those About To Die.
Summary
Peacock’s sword-and-sandal series,Those About To Die,dives into countless facets of the Roman Empire, including a little-known yet very real group called the vestal virgins. Released in July 2024,Those About To Dieis an epic series that sets out to encapsulate the social and political dynamics of Ancient Rome. In particular, the series delves into Roman entertainment, includingThose About To Die’scharioteers and gladiators. More importantly, it explores these games' dangerous effects while also highlighting lesser-known facts about that period.
BecauseThose About To Diefreely mixes history with fiction, it can be difficult to decipher what parts of the show are real, and what parts were created in a writers' room. This is especially true considering the massive size ofThose About To Die’scastand its many intricate plotlines. However, there are several aspects of the historical drama that are not only real but are tied to details that very few viewers may know about. One example of this isThose About To Die’svestal virgins.
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Vestal Virgins Were Chaste Priestesses Of The Virgin Goddess Vesta
Vestal Virgins Upheld Vesta’s Rites
InThose About To Dieepisode 4, the series introduces Cornelia, Antonia’s daughter who was sent away to be part of the vestal virgins. As it turns out, Cornelia’s position gives her incredible power that Cala can use to ensure her children’s freedom. Though it may seem surprising,Cornelia and the vestal virgins are not a work of fiction.They were real women who lived duringThose About To Die’sFlavian dynasty. Vestal virgins were specially chosen priestesses who dedicated much of their lives to upholding the beliefs of the goddess Vesta.
One particularly important job was to keep the sacred fire in Vesta’s hearth burning.
The duties of the vestal virgins were quite serious.Vestals studied the rites of Vesta, then completed them in service to Rome. They attended festivals and maintained Vesta’s temple. One particularly important job was to keep the sacred fire in Vesta’s hearth burning. If the fire went out, the vestal in charge would be severely punished. Another significant aspect of the vestals was their promise of chastity. As their name suggests, vestal virgins had to retain their chastity throughout their service. Those who didn’t were subjected to a living burial. (via Beard, North, Price,Religions of Rome.)
They Were Taken At A Young Age & Vowed To Serve At Least 30 Years
It Wasn’t Easy To Become A Vestal Virgin
To become a vestal virgin in Ancient Rome wasn’t an easy task.Vestals had to be prepubescent girls from high-born familieswho showed no signs of physical or mental defects. At first, vestals could only come from patrician families, but later, plebeians and freedmen could offer up their daughters. That is because, once chosen, these young girls would vow to serve Vesta and Rome for 30 years. After that, they would be free from their duties (via Kroppenberg, “Law, religion, and constitution of the Vestal virgins”.) Most families were wary of giving away their children for three decades.
Those About To Dieseason 1 had 10 episodes.
The only loophole to these rules was when a vestal died during her service. If a vestal passed away, that would leave an open spot for a new woman to take her place. Technically,replacement vestals did not have to be prepubescent or virgins. Though it wasn’t entirely supported by the Roman state, replacement vestals could be young widows or divorcees (via Cornell, “Some observations on thecrimen incesti”.) In this way, Roman women could attempt to become a replacement vestal and earn the protection or power that Cornelia had inThose About To Die.
Vestals Were The Most Powerful Women In Rome
Vestal virgins' decades-long service meant thatthey were afforded rights that no other Roman citizen had, especially women.Vestals could write their wills and testify in court without taking an oath. Furthermore, they owned incredibly important documents. Though many Roman women were forbidden from attending the Roman games, vestals were given front-row seats. They could even pardon criminals with just a glance or a touch (via Gallia, “Vestal Virgins and Their Families”.Classical Antiquity.)
Overall, vestal virgins were symbols of Rome and the gods. They were essentially untouchable. They only answered to the top Roman priest, and no one else. Not evenThose About To Die’sFlavian familycould control them. In this way,Those About To Dieis right when it pins Cala’s hopes on Cornelia. Because of her religious station, she may be the only hope of getting Aura, Jula, and Kwame freed.
Sources: Beard, North, Price,Religions of Rome;Kroppenberg, “Law, religion, and constitution of the Vestal virgins; Cornell, “Some observations on thecrimen incesti”; Gallia, “Vestal Virgins and Their Families”.Classical Antiquity.
Those About To Die
Cast
Set in the year 79 AD in Rome, “Those About to Die” dives into the brutal and complex world of gladiatorial combat. The series explores the dark underbelly of Roman entertainment, where the promise of free food and blood-soaked spectacles keep the restless population in check. The narrative focuses on various characters from all corners of the Roman Empire, whose lives intersect in the grand arena.
