Appeals were infrequent during the Republic. Applications were occasionally made to tribunes or praetors to interpose a veto that would delay the execution of a sentence. The sentence itself was rarely overturned (Burdick, 670). A formalized system of appeal, in the modern sense of the word, was introduced by Augustus (Suet. Aug. 33) and later developed by Nero (Suet. Nero 17).

Given the relative novelty of the process, the Vestal’s second attempt to secure an acquittal may very well be seen to convey a sense of impudentia – to use Argentarius’ word – towards the judgment of the pontifical college.