Hestia

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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The sister of Zeus, Hestia was one of the three Olympian goddesses who had dedicated herself to virginity (the other two were Artemis and Athena). Hestia had dominion over the Greek home and was responsible for the proper cooking of meals as well as the maintenance of domestic tranquility. It was normal for an offering to be made to Hestia before and/or after every meal.

On account of the close relationship between Greek homes and wider Greek communities, it was common for there to be public hearths dedicated to Hestia where the fire was never allowed to go out. In Rome Hestia was called Vesta and the Roman fire was cared for by the six Vestal Virgins. It was here that the local community was regarded as an extended family and, hence, the maintenance of domestic tranquility became the maintenance of civic peace.

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