A Goddess or a maiden that is pure, untarnished, angelic even. What would a man, especially one that is a gilded warrior, wish to be awarded more? That which is unobtainable, the chaste beauty that no other man has had the pleasure of. A woman with a body made for sin, yet a mind that is virtuous and innocent, such was the case with many a mythological woman.

The goddesses would float down accompanied with a golden aura of light. The maiden’s would bathe in clean, refreshing water beneath the sun. The nymphs would flit near and far, gathering powers akin to that of pixie dust, making the world bloom beautifully.

Men, engaged in battles, wars and the hunt would find these purities to be gifts awaiting their theft. It is not unfitting that mythological tales would be laced with virgin women, whether they were slaves, deities, or Amazon warriors.

It began with the exquisite goddesses. The intent to remain pure was wealthy among the beauties that were immortal. These women had powers that in some cases were beyond their merit. Keeping themselves virtuous was believed to be God-like, and would suggest that the goddesses earned the heights that they were placed upon. For, any woman could be magical, and reign with beauty, and phenomenal physical attributes. Not just any woman, though, could remain pure, and live a life without sullying themselves with the dirty business of sex.

Sacrificial

Chastity was often considered a sacrifice. Women would remain pure to pay homage to Gods, or Goddesses, family or beliefs. Those that could not keep themselves untouched in such a world where brutality was abundant, were not worthy of any reward. A sacrifice would be made to a high immortal in the form of a virgin. Thus, the deities would accept nothing less than anyone that was not pure.

Rank

Many of the most chaste characters in mythology were Goddesses. Perhaps the idea was that no man or God was deserving of her body or her complete love. Perhaps these women were wise in the choice of remaining untouched rather than lower themselves for a man or god that she was not in love with.

Artemis is the goddess of virginity, of hunting, chastity and of wilderness. She asked Zeus to bless her in eternal virginity, and fought any man whom dared undermine that. She was proud to remain chaste, and ensured her Nymphs to be eternally chaste as well. Athena also was a goddess that remained a virgin. She controlled war, wisdom, literature and the arts. The favored child of Zeus, Athena was a warrior goddess, always armed and ready for battle.

Rebellion

Many mythological women remained virgins in defiance of society and males in general. Women were considered rewards, items of pleasure, and material possessions. Women were thought not to think, rule, or choose how to live, love, or even exist. Some of these women, though, had minds that could outwit any man.

Such was the case of some warrior women, or Amazons. They had no desire to become enslaved with a family, or a husband, or lover. They wanted to live their lives in battle, bask in the glory of defeating an enemy. They did not wish to be forced to bear children or keep a home. They wanted to ride free upon their horses with their hair flowing behind them. Or, they wanted to fight for the rights that their fellow females were denied.

Not only is mythology laden with chaste women, it seems that they are also more within the background instead of the forefront of the stories. The goddesses had power, were intellectual, could have ruled the earth, and were wise beyond their years. Many women in myth were deemed treacherous when, if after having unfair dealings with a man, or falling in love with a mortal or immortal that treated them wrong, sought revenge.

It is portrayed that any woman that is impure in these lore’s, is unfit to be idolized or beloved. Perhaps the virginity in these old tales are just that; tales. It’s as if for all of eternity wise women know when to remain chaste or pure, and for how long to do so.