Explanation: It was the task of the Vestal Virgins, a collection of six priestesses in Ancient Rome, to ensure that the Sacred Fire of the goddess Vesta didn't go out through the year (being ritually extinguished and relit only on the first of March, ideally).

During the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, the Temple of Vesta was destroyed in the conflagration. I'm sure it must have seemed odd, at that moment, to be tasked with the preservation of sacred fire at the same time as fire consumed the whole damn city, lmao.

Explanation: It was the task of the Vestal Virgins, a collection of six priestesses in Ancient Rome, to ensure that the Sacred Fire of the goddess Vesta didn't go out through the year (being ritually extinguished and relit only on the first of March, ideally).

During the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, the Temple of Vesta was destroyed in the conflagration. I'm sure it must have seemed odd, at that moment, to be tasked with the preservation of sacred fire at the same time as fire consumed the whole damn city, lmao.

Your posts are always so fun and informational at the same time, thank you for being a pillar of the fediverse!