Marcia

Aemilia, Licinia and Marcia were Roman vestal Virgins, who were prosecuted for having broken the vow of chastity in two famous trials between 115 and 113 BC. The first trial was conducted by the Pontifex Maximus Metellus Delmaticus, who sentenced to death Aemilia in 114 BC. The decision to spare the other two vestals nevertheless triggered outrage and a special court headed by Cassius Longinus Ravilla was created the following year to restart the investigations. Licinia and Marcia were subsequently put to death as well. The trials were heavily influenced by the political background and network of the participants.