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Composed of six women from aristocratic ancient Roman families, the Vestal Virgins were priestesses dedicated to praising Vesta, the goddess of family and domestic life. Picked for their lineage and good health, their lives revolved around ritual acts of worship. The most important of these duties was keeping the fire at the Temple of Vesta, believed to symbolise both the chastity of these women and the flourishing of the Roman Empire, burning in perpetuity. And, as this short from TED-Ed explores, if the flame went out at any time, a Vestal Virgin could be accused of impurity and put to death in a harrowing ceremony of sacrifice. With vivid animations bringing the world of the Vestal Virgins into focus, the short provides a small window into gender and spirituality in ancient Rome, highlighting the ways in which religion and state were intrinsically linked.
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Wellbeing
Born in China, Zee seeks a gender-affirming life in the American Midwest
11 minutes
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Rituals and celebrations
A whale hunt is an act of prayer for an Inuit community north of the Arctic Circle
8 minutes
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Politics and government
How it looked to Afghan women to see the Taliban return to power
33 minutes
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Biography and memoir
Passed over as the first Black astronaut, Ed Dwight carved out an impressive second act
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Engineering
A close-up look at electronic paper reveals its exquisite patterns – and limitations
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Architecture
West Africa was once an architectural laboratory. Is it time for a revival?
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Work
A Swedish expat in the Philippines wonders: what’s up with people sleeping at work?
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Art
‘If you’re creative, why can’t you create a solution?’ One artist’s imaginative activism
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The ancient world
An ancient Roman’s hilarious (and perhaps relatable) response to a social snub
2 minutes