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."