An illustration depicting the chief Vestal presenting the will of Augustus to Tiberius.
One of the many duties of the Vestal Virgins was to safeguard Rome’s most vital documents, including the will of the emperor. Upon his death, it was the duty of the Vestalis Maxima (chief Vestal) to deliver the will of the emperor to the Senate. This image depicts the Vestalis Maxima Occia bringing the will of Augustus to his successor, Tiberius. Occia and Augustus knew each other very well: Augustus was emperor from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE, and Occia served in the temple for over 50 years, dying in 19 CE. Their relationship runs throughout my historical fiction trilogy The Vesta Shadows (Brides of Rome, To Be Wolves, Empire of Iron).