Réa Ile vierge dévote et déesse · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Réa Ile vierge dévote et déesse
Subject: Remus; Romulus; Important Women; Famous Women; Roman Mythology; Chastity; Rhea Ilia; Rhea Silvia; Vestal Virgin
Period: 1450-1500;
Geographic: Ancient Rome; Alba Longa; Italy
Description: This illumination depicts the vestal virgin, Rhea Ilia (more commonly known as Rhea Silvia), holding hands with a man. As a vestal virgin, Rhea Ilia was forbidden from becoming pregnant or having relationships with men. Despite her vow, Rhea Ilia met a man (as depicted in the image) and ended up having sexual relations with him. She became pregnant and birthed the founders of what would become Rome (Romulus and Remus). Rhea Ilia was buried alive for her crime of breaking her vow of virginity.
Image Creator: Robinet Testard (Illuminator)
Type: Text; Illumination
Identifier: mta:18005
Language: frm
Source Name: Boccace, Des cleres et nobles femmes, traduction française anonyme [Boccaccio, The cleric and noble women, anonymous French translation]
Parent Collection: Boccace, Des cleres et nobles femmes, traduction française anonyme. Illuminations by Robinet Testard (1488-1496)
Image: mta_18005_OBJ.png