It was neoessaiy that the maiden should not
be under six nor above ten years of age, per-
fect in all her limbs, in the full enjojrment of
all her senses, patrima et matnma [Patbimi],
the daughter of free and freebom parents who
had never been in slavery, who followed no
dishonourable occupation, and whose home
was in Italy. The Lex Papia ordained that
when a vacancy occurred, tne pontifex maxi-
mus should name at his discretion twenty
qualified damsels, one of whom was publicly
(m condoiu) fixed upon by lot, an exemption
being granted in favour of sudi as had a sister
already a vestal, and of the daughters of cer-
tain priests of a high class^ The above law
appears to have been enacted in consequence
^f the unwillingness of fsthers to resign all
control over a child, and this reluctance was
manifested so strongly in later times, that in
the age of Augustus Uhertma* were declared
eligible. The casting of lots moreover does
not seem to have been practised if any respec-
table person came forward voluntarily, and
offered a daughter who fulfilled the necessary
conditions. As soon as the election was con-
cluded, the pontifex maximus took the girl
by the hand and addressed her in a solemn
form. After this was pronounced, she was led
away to the atrium of Vesta, and lived thence-
forward within the sacred precincts, under
the special superintendence and control of the
pontificial college.
The period of service Issted for thirty years.
