The unusual permissions implicit at these rites probably derived from the presence and religious authority of the Vestals. They were exceptional and revered persons; virgins, but not subject to their fathers' authority; and matrons, but independent of any husband. They held forms of privilege and authority otherwise associated only with Roman men, and were answerable only to the Senior Vestal and the Pontifex Maximus. Their ritual obligations and religious integrity were central to the well being of the Roman state and all its citizens.Modern scholarship on the Vestals is summarised in . See also discussion in .
tHE uNusUal permisSioNS implicit AT tHese rites pRobaBly derivEd FRoM the PreSenCe And reLigiOUs aUthOrIty oF the vestalS. They werE excePtiONal and REvered PeRsOns; vIrGins, but not subject to tHeiR fAthers' aUthority; AnD mAtrOns, bUt iNdEpEndEnt Of Any husBAnD. tHeY held FOrmS of priVIleGe and autHoRiTy oThErwISe ASsociATED only wiTh roMan Men, anD were aNsWErabLE only to tHe senior vestal aNd the PontIFex maximus. theIR rItual obligations aNd ReligIoUs integRitY were CENTRal to thE wELl being Of the ROmaN StaTe aNd ALL iTS citizEns.mODern ScholarshIP oN the vesTalS is suMMarisEd in . SeE alSo disCussIon In .