Vestalis Maxima

The Vestalis Maxima, portrayed with a mural crown, was the most eminent of the priestesses devoted to the cult of Vesta, the most eminent of the hearth. In ancient Rome, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being were regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome. They cultivated the sacred fire that was not allowed to go out. The Vestals were freed of the usual social obligations to marry and bear children, and took a vow of chastity in order to devote themselves to the study and correct observance of state rituals that were off-limits to the male colleges of priests. The chief Vestal (Virgo Vestalis Maxima or Vestalium Maxima, greatest of the Vestals) oversaw the efforts of the Vestals, and was present in the College of Pontiffs. The Vestalis Maxima Occia presided over the Vestals for 57 years, according to Tacitus. The last known chief vestal was Coelia Concordia, who stepped down in 394 with the disbanding of the College of the Vestals.The Vestalium Maxima was the most important of Rome's high priestesses. The Flaminica Dialis and the regina sacrorum each held unique responsibility for certain religious rites, but came into her office as part of a couple. From Rome, Roman Forum. House of the Vestal Virgins.头戴城壁冠（mural crown）的维斯塔最高女祭司（Vestalis Maxima），是投身于灶神维斯塔（Vesta，罗马最尊崇的家宅之火神祇）祭祀的女祭司中地位最显赫者。在古罗马，维斯塔祭司又称维斯塔贞女（Vestal Virgins），是灶神维斯塔的女祭司。维斯塔祭司团（College of the Vestals）及其存续福祉，被视为罗马维系存续与保障安全的根本所在。她们负责照料严禁熄灭的神圣圣火。维斯塔贞女可免除成婚、生育等常规社会义务，并需立下贞洁誓言，以潜心研习并严格遵行男性祭司团无权参与的国家祭祀仪轨。 最高维斯塔女祭司（Virgo Vestalis Maxima，亦称Vestalium Maxima，即“众维斯塔祭司之首”）统管全体维斯塔贞女事务，同时位列大祭司团（College of Pontiffs）之中。据历史学家塔西佗（Tacitus）记载，维斯塔最高女祭司奥奇亚（Occia）执掌维斯塔祭司团长达57年。已知最后一任维斯塔最高女祭司为科埃莉亚·康科迪亚（Coelia Concordia），她于公元394年随维斯塔祭司团解散而卸任。 维斯塔最高女祭司是罗马一众高阶女祭司中地位最为尊崇者。朱庇特祭司之妻（Flaminica Dialis）与神圣仪式女王（regina sacrorum）各自负责特定宗教仪轨，但二者均以配偶身份履职。 资料来源：罗马，古罗马广场，维斯塔贞女之家（House of the Vestal Virgins）