Sentence:  Among the Northern tribes also the woman was held in all moral aspects the equal of man. Alike the blue-eyed wife of the Barbarian and the proud Roman matron were, as the bearers and breeders of the race, the equals of the fighters and rulers of the race. The importance of their functions was fully recognized and respected, and the <WSD>priestess</WSD> at the sylvan altar, the vestals serving the fires and the temples at Rome were held worthy to speak face to face with the gods and convey their blessings to man. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A woman with religious duties and responsibilities in certain non-Christian religions.