In 114 BC, a Roman woman was killed by a lightning strike, which left her naked body exposed. This was interpreted as an omen indicating that a vestal virgin had broken her oath of chastity. In December 114, three vestals – Aemilia, Marcia and Licinia – were accused of and tried for
incestum. Reportedly, Aemilia had initially been seduced by Lucius Veturius. After this, she arranged for Marcia and Licinia to have sexual relations with Lucius Veturius' male friends. Aemilia and Licinia had multiple lovers, while Marcia had a monogamous relationship. The three vestals were prosecuted after being reported to the authorities by their slave Manius, who had helped in exchange for
manumission he never received. According to Manius, the affairs of the vestals was widely tolerated within the Roman aristocracy. The trial was a great scandal in contemporary Rome. Aemilia was found guilty and sentenced to death by the
Pontifex Maximus Lucius Caecilius Metellus Dalmaticus. Licinia and Marcia were both acquitted. , 55 BC.
Libertas is portrayed on the obverse. The reverse is a depiction of the
Temple of Vesta, where Longinus Ravilla held the trial in 113. On the left is a voting urn, and a ballot (
tabella) is on the right. It is inscribed A C for
Absolvo Condemno ("acquitted" or "condemned"), a further reference to the trial. The acquittal of Marcia and Licinia created public outrage in Rome because of Manius' testimony that the sexual crimes of the vestals had been an open secret and tolerated among the aristocracy, and the public interpreted the outcome as a case of corruption among the elite. The case against Licinia and Marcia was therefore reopened the following year by the tribune
Sextus Peducaeus, who took the unusual step of transferring the case from the pontiff to
Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla, who was known for his severity. Licinia was defended by the orator
Lucius Licinius Crassus. The charge of
incestum against the former consul
Servius Fulvius Flaccus may also have been connected to this case. After the trial, several rituals were conducted to clean the
holy fire of Vesta from the pollution which was believed to have soiled it because of the crimes. Upon consultation with the
Sibylline books, a new temple to
Venus Verticordia was constructed, and a rare instance of human sacrifice was carried out, in this case two couples, one Greek and one Gallic, buried alive in the
Forum Boarium. == References ==