CHAPTER V. Mysteries of Virginity

MYSTERIES OF VIRGINITY

Of Hellenism at Rome—Institution of Vestals—Traditional virtue of virgin blood—Symbolism of Sacred Fire—Religious aspect of the history of Lucretia—Honour among Roman women—Mysteries of the Bona Dea—Numa as a hierophant—Ingenious notions of Voltaire on divination—Prophetic instinct of the masses—Erroneous opinions of Fontenelle and Kircher on oracles—Religious Calendar of Numa 152