The Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home. They were the only female priests. There were 6 Vestal Virgins, chosen by the pontifex maximus (the high priest) when they were 3 to 10 years old (Seindal, Vestal Virgins). To be a Vestal Virgin, the child had to be free of bodily imperfection and both her parents had to be alive (Seindal, Vestal Virgins). Vestal Virgins were from distinguished, important families (Seindal, Vestal Virgins). Each Vestal served for 30 years: the first 10 in training, then 10 years in service, and lastly 10 years training the next Vestals. After 30 years, she was free to marry and live a normal life. During her service, she lived in the House of the Vestal Virgins on the Forum Romanum. This house was in a complex which also included Vesta's temple. It had one large room facing the temple, with six adjoining rooms. Eventually, however, this building burned down, and a new, larger, 3-story house was built for the Vestals (Seindal, House).

The goddess Vesta was introduced to Rome by Pompilius Numa (or perhaps Romulus), from Alba Longa (Oxford Classical). The Vestal Virgins were introduced with first 2, then 4, and eventually six Vestals (Gills). In 12 BC, Augustus became Pontifex Maximus and built a second shrine to Vesta on the Palatine (Oxford Classical). The last chief Vestal was Coelia Concordia in 380 AD (Oxford Classical). In 394, the cult ended (Oxford Classical).