Augustus' religious reformations raised the funding and public profile of the Vestals. They were given high-status seating at games and theatres. The emperor Claudius appointed them as priestesses to the cult of the deified Livia, wife of Augustus. They seem to have retained their religious and social distinctions well into the 4th century, after political power within the Empire had shifted to the Christians. When the Christian emperor Gratian refused the office of pontifex maximus, he took steps toward the dissolution of the order. His successor Theodosius I extinguished Vesta's sacred fire and vacated her temple. COUNT 5
QSN1 What group's status was improved by Augustus' religious reforms? ANS1 Vestals QSN2 What advantage was there in being a Vestal at games? ANS2 seating QSN3 For whose cult were the Vestals appointed as priestesses? ANS3 Livia QSN4 Until what time did the Vestal retain their social distinctions? ANS4 4th century QSN5 Which emperor disbanded the Vestals? ANS5 Theodosius I