Editing Virginity (section)

====Ancient Greece and Rome====
Virginity was often considered a virtue denoting purity and physical self-restraint and is an important characteristic in [[Greek mythology]].

In ancient Greek literature such as the ''[[Homeric Hymns]]'', there are references to the Parthenon goddesses [[Artemis]], [[Athena]], and [[Hestia]] proclaiming pledges to eternal virginity (Greek: παρθενία).<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Ciocani|first=Vichi Eugenia|date=2013|title=Virginity and representation in the Greek novel and early Greek poetry|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1631081850/|via=ProQuest Dissertations Publishing|journal=Ciocani|access-date=2016-11-08}}</ref> However, it has been argued a maiden's state of ''parthenia'' (Greek: παρθένος), as invoked by these deities, carries a slightly different meaning from what is normally understood as virginity in modern western religions.<sup>[[Talk:Virginity#cite note-:0-15|[15]]]</sup> Rather, ''parthenia'' focused more on marriageability and abstract concepts without strict physical requirements which would be adversely affected, but not entirely relinquished, by pre-marital sexual intercourse. For these reasons, other goddesses not eternally committed to ''parthenia'' within the Homeric Hymns are able to renew theirs through ritual (such as [[Hera]]) or choose an appearance which implies the possession of it (such as [[Aphrodite]]).<ref name=":3" /> Although accounts vary, the goddess of [[witchcraft]] known as [[Hecate]] has been portrayed as a virgin as well.<ref>Joseph Eddy Fontenrose, ''Python: A Study of Delphic Myth and Its Origins'', Biblo & Tannen Publishers, 1974, p. 96.</ref>

In Roman times, the [[Vestal Virgin]]s were the highly respected, strictly [[Celibacy|celibate]] (although not necessarily [[Vestal Virgin#Selection|virginal]]) [[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#sacerdos|priestesses]] of [[Vesta (mythology)|Vesta]], and keepers of the [[sacred fire of Vesta]]. The Vestals were committed to the priesthood before puberty (when 6–10 years old) and sworn to [[celibacy]] for a period of 30 years.<ref name="Lutwyche">{{cite news|last=Lutwyche|first=Jayne|title=Ancient Rome's maidens – who were the Vestal Virgins?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/18490233|access-date=2012-11-23|newspaper=BBC|date=2012-09-07|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408055141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/18490233|url-status=dead}}</ref> The chastity of the Vestals was considered to have a direct bearing on the health of the Roman state. Allowing the sacred fire of Vesta to die out, suggesting that the goddess had withdrawn her protection from the city, was a serious offence and was punishable by scourging.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Vesta |volume=27 |page=1055}}</ref> Because a Vestal's chastity was thought to be directly correlated to the sacred burning of the fire, if the fire were extinguished it might be assumed that a Vestal had been unchaste. The penalty for a Vestal Virgin found to have had sexual relations while in office was being [[Premature burial|buried alive]].<ref name="Lutwyche"/>