Athenian vase painting of Hestia bearing flower branch |
Hestia
Roman name: Vesta
Goddess of the hearth fire and domestic life
Hestia was a daughter of Cronus and Rhea and one of the twelve Olympian deities. As Rhea’s first-born, she was the first child to be swallowed by Cronus and the last to be disgorged.
When Apollo and Poseidon tried to woo her, she swore to remain a virgin forever. Along with Artemis and Athena she was one of the trio of virgin goddesses.
Zeus allowed her to preside over all sacrifices: at any sacrifice she was invoked first and the first part of the sacrifice was offered to her. She tended the sacred fire on the hearth in Olympus, and every domestic hearth on earth was her altar. Hestia bestowed domestic blessings and happiness. She was closely associated with Hermes: she represented the home and domestic life, he represented business and outdoor life.