Classics key terms

A priestess of the Roman goddess Vesta. In Livy’s account, Amulius makes Rhea Silvia a Vestal to prevent her from having children.

A priestess of Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth, required to remain chaste. Rhea Silvia’s appointment was intended to prevent her from producing heirs.

Priestesses of Vesta who maintained Rome’s sacred fire, cared for sacred objects and prepared mola salsa.

An entrance room between a building’s porch and its main interior room.

A quality considered morally admirable, such as courage, justice, restraint or loyalty to family.

Objects and images produced or used by a society, which can provide evidence about its activities, values and beliefs.

An image or artistic representation used as evidence about the past, such as a coin design or sculpted relief.

An object dedicated to a deity as a religious gift.

The Mycenaean ruler who presided over a palace and its surrounding kingdom.

A wooden tablet covered with a thin layer of wax into which letters could be scratched.

The ancient Greek practice of hospitality and guest-friendship, involving obligations between hosts and guests.

The Athenian property class that could generally afford hoplite equipment.

Zeus in his role as protector of strangers and guest-friendship.