took the vows, and bound herself by the most awful
sanctions--unconscious, however, perhaps, herself of what she was
doing--to lead thenceforth a life of absolute celibacy and seclusion.

She was then received into the temple of Vesta, and there, with the
other maidens who had been consecrated before her, she devoted
herself to the discharge of the duties of her office, without
reproach, for several years. At length, however, certain circumstances
occurred, which suddenly terminated Rhea's career as a vestal virgin,
and led to results of the most momentous character. What these
circumstances were, will be explained in the next chapter.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE TWINS.

B.C. 774-755

The temple of Mars at Alba.--Its situation.--Rhea's fault.--Her
excuse.--The wolf story.--Rhea in trouble.--Birth of her
sons.--Antho.--The anger of Amulius.--Rhea imprisoned.--Faustulus.--His
plan.--The box that he made.--He follows the stream.--The children
thrown out upon the sand.--The wolf.--The woodpecker.--The children
rescued by Faustulus.--He carries the children home.--Their
education.--The character of the boys.--Romulus and Remus are generous
and brave.--Quarrel among the herdsmen.--Remus is suddenly made
prisoner.--Heavy charges against Remus.--Remus before Numitor and
Amulius.--Remus gives an account of himself.--Numitor learns the
truth.--Romulus.--Romulus plans a rebellion.--Faustulus and the
arts.--Faustulus stopped at the gates of the city.--Faustulus is greatly
embarrassed.--Amulius is alarmed.--He sends for Numitor.--Romulus
assaults the city.--The revolt is successful.--Amulius is slain.

Although the temple of Vesta itself, at Alba Longa, was the principal
scene of the duties which devolved upon the vestal virgins, still they
were not wholly confined in their avocations to that sacred edifice,
but were often called upon, one or two at a time, to perform services,
or to assist in the celebration of rites, at other places in the city
and vicinity.

[Illustration: RHEA SILVIA.]

There was a temple consecrated to Mars near to Alba. It was situated
in an opening in the woods, in some little glen or valley at the base
of the mountain. There was a stream of water running through the
ground, and Rhea in the performance of her duties as a vestal was
required at one time to pass to and fro through the groves in this
solitary place to fetch water. Here she allowed herself, in violation
of her vestal vows, to form the