That's true, but Rome was pretty late in the development of mores and
customs.  By that time, virginity had already acquired the patina of
virtue.  But there wasn't even the glimmer of such an idea for men.

Jacob Korg wrote:

>Regardless of the economic values attached to virginity in the Christian
>era, it should be recalled that female virginity was considered sacred
>long before. In Rome, the Vestals were condemned to death if they lost
>their virginity.
>
>