HOUSE OF THE VIRGINS.
Between the Temple of Vesta and the Sacra Via was the original dwelling-place of the Vestals, of which little remains beyond tufa walls beneath the more recent level. These walls were again exposed to view in some excavations made in the spring of 1886. They are marked in black on our Plan ([page 61]), being now again covered up.
Martial (i. 70), in addressing his book which he sends to Proculus, says, "You will pass by the Temple of Castor, near that of ancient Vesta, and that goddess's virgin home."
Dionysius (ii. 67) says: "They live near by the temple of the goddess."
VESTA'S DUST-BIN.
By the side of the temple is a pit four feet square, where the ashes and sweepings of the temple were deposited; which were cleared out on the 15th of June, and thrown down the Porta Stercoraria, on the Clivus Capitolinus, into the Cloaca. (Ovid, "F." vi. 237, 712; Varro, "L. L." v.; Festus.)
THE SHRINE OF MERCURY.
Beyond the Temple of Vesta, on the right, is a small brick shrine. The base of the statue of this shrine was fortunately found telling us the name.
DIO
MERCVRIO
On the flank of the base is another inscription, giving us the date of its erection, April 26, 275 A.D.