As they looked about them for some clue to serve as guide, they could not help but observe and admire the wonders of nature. […] Many fine statues of this goddess were found in Greece and Italy, some of which are still extant, and serve to show the ancients’ exalted conception of the Queen of Heaven. […] The loveliest and noblest among the Roman maidens were chosen to serve this goddess, and were known as Vestals, or Vestal Virgins. Admitted into the temple at the early age of six, they were compelled to serve ten years in fitting themselves to fulfil the duties they would be called upon to perform during the next decade as priestesses and guardians of the sacred fire. […] In his grief he withdrew to the mountain solitudes, where he would probably have lingered all the remainder of his life, had not Mercury brought to him the decision of the gods that he was to serve Eurystheus, King of Argos, for a twelvemonth.