A Place at the Altar illuminates a previously underappreciated dimension of religion in ancient Rome: the role of priestesses in civic cult. Demonstrating that priestesses had a central place in public rituals and institutions, Meghan DiLuzio emphasizes the complex, gender-inclusive nature of Roman priesthood. In ancient Rome, priestly service was a cooperative endeavor, requiring men and women, husbands and wives, and elite Romans and slaves to work together to manage the community's relationship with its gods.Like their male colleagues, priestesses offered sacrifices on behalf of the Roman people, and prayed for the community’s well-being. As they carried out their ritual obligations, they were assisted by female cult personnel, many of them slave women. DiLuzio explores the central role of the Vestal Virgins and shows that they occupied just one type of priestly office open to women. Some priestesses, including the flaminica Dialis, the regina sacrorum, and the wives of the curial priests, served as part of priestly couples. Others, such as the priestesses of Ceres and Fortuna Muliebris, were largely autonomous.A Place at the Altar offers a fresh understanding of how the women... [Read More]

Child Girl The Virgin Mary Costume by California Costumes 00438

Adult The Virgin Mary Costume by California Costumes 01316

SAVE ON THE RECEPTIONWhen it comes to wedding planning, there are always a zillion things that need to be organized.  And each of those is going to come with a fairly hefty price tag, unless you manage to convince some of your friends to help out.  Get the chefs in the family working in the kitchen.  Have those interior decorators putting their creative know-how to the test in making the room look lovely.  You can even depend on the babysitters to help wrangle up all the kids of the guests!But, what to do about entertainment!?  A band can get pretty