The Unwilling Vestal

The Unwilling Vestal by Edward Lucas White

The Unwilling Vestal opens with Brinnaria, a Roman girl not yet ten but strikingly mature in body and mind, defying her father Marcus Brinnarius Epulo, who orders her to marry the repugnant Pulfennius Calvaster instead of her chosen love, Caius Segontius Almo. When Brinnaria refuses, her father threatens to offer her as a Vestal to fill the vacancy left by Rabulla's death. Terrified of that fate, she capitulates and agrees to the match, but during the ensuing negotiation with Calvaster's father Pulfennius she stages a mocking display of affection with Almo that so offends Pulfennius that the marriage plan collapses. Brinnaria's father and Almo's father, Segontius, reconcile and agree the two children may eventually marry, but decree a four-year wait and send Brinnaria to her strict aunt Septima's estate, from which she is soon expelled for misbehavior. A citywide pestilence follows. Brinnaria persuades her parents to let her stay in Rome alone to manage the household while they flee to the country, swearing an oath not to leave without permission. During this time she visits the old sieve-maker Truttidius and discusses with him the legend of the Vestal Tuccia, who supposedly carried water in a sieve to prove her chastity; he explains at length how such a "miracle" could be physically possible under rare conditions. Her friend Flexinna reveals that the Chief Vestal Dossonia has died and that Brinnaria, as the only eligible unmarried noble girl still in the city, is likely to be conscripted as a Vestal. Brinnaria frantically sends messengers to recall her father and Almo, but before either arrives, the pompous Pontifex Faltonius Bambilio arrives and formally takes her as a Vestal, over her stated unwillingness, moments before both her father and Almo burst in too late. Brinnaria then adjusts to life in the House of the Vestals, awed by its splendor and privileges—her own attendants, carriage, lictor, and legal independence—while chafing against the required decorum. She despises her fellow novice Meffia for her weakness and unpleasant odor, but bonds with Chief Vestal Causidiena, who is patient with her irrepressible wildness. Brinnaria commits several public improprieties, most notably leaping from her seat at the Colosseum to save a defeated retiarius from execution, causing a sensation throughout Rome. She seeks reassurance from Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who counsels her that her sincere efforts at self-control, despite lapses, are pleasing to Vesta and no threat to Rome. Later, when Meffia falls asleep on duty and lets the sacred fire go out, Brinnaria conceals her colleague's guilt and takes the ritual scourging meant for the negligent Vestal herself, then, enraged by the ordeal, seizes the whip and beats the Pontifex Bambilio in retaliation. Rather than condemning her, Aurelius later reveals that he and Causidiena have guessed the truth, approve of her self-sacrifice, and find Bambilio's beating more amusing than sacrilegious. Brinnaria confides her deep anxiety about someday being falsely accused and buried alive like disgraced Vestals of the past, and about the danger posed by Almo's conspicuous lingering near her in Rome and by the lurking, vindictive Calvaster (whom she catches spying in her deceased family's house). Aurelius resolves the problem by sending Almo to a military post in Africa, arranging a supervised farewell meeting between the two in his own presence, and introducing Brinnaria to Empress Faustina, who befriends her. Years pass; Brinnaria matures into a capable, respected Vestal, finds growing solace in music and organ-playing, tends to her charitable and civic duties, and maintains close friendship with Flexinna and Vocco while receiving good reports of Almo's military success in Africa. The narrative's final development is a startling piece of news brought by Vocco: Almo, newly promoted and honorably discharged from the army, has petitioned to have himself sold into slavery so that he can become a professional chariot-racing charioteer, and the provincial governor Grittonius has granted the request and processed the paperwork.

By Edward Lucas White · First published 1935 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 23 chapters · 100,554 words

First lines

"Brinnaria! " he said severely, "you will marry any man I designate."

"I never shall marry any man," she retorted positively, "except the man I want to marry."

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The Unwilling Vestal is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward Lucas White, dated 1935 CE.

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Ancient Rome · Historical Fiction · Fantasy · Mythology · Religion · Vestal Virgins · Paganism · Roman Empire · Cult · Rituals · Supernatural · Mystery

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