Hestia

Facts about Hestia
The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of this famous Greek goddess:

Hestia Fact File
Greek Name: Hestia
Role & Function: Her role is described as being the goddess of the hearth, the home and family. She was also the goddess of the sacrificial flame
Status: Sister of Zeus, and occasionally included amongst the names of the 12 Olympians
Symbols: A modest head-veil befitting her virgin state and a kettle or cauldron
Gender: Female
Roman Counterpart: The Roman name for this god was Vesta
Name of Husband: Unmarried
Name of Father: Cronus
Name of Mother: Rhea

Hestia (Roman Counterpart was Vesta)
When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Hestia, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart was Vesta.

Picture of the goddess Hestia

The Family of Hestia
The Greek goddess of the hearth and the home, was one of the extraordinary number of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. According to Greek legends and myths her family were as follows:

• Father: Cronus
• Mother: Rhea
• Brothers: Zeus, Hades and Poseidon
• Sisters: Hera and Demeter
• Husband: Unmarried

Facts about Hestia in Greek Mythology
Discover interesting information and facts about Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth and the home. The facts about Hestia provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about this goddess in Greek Mythology.

Mythical Facts about Hestia

Fact 1 about Hestia: She was the first born child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and was swallowed by her father at birth.

Fact 2 about Hestia: Her brother, Zeus, later forced Cronus to disgorge her together with her other siblings- Hades, Poseidon and Demeter.

Fact 3 about Hestia: When she was introduced to Mount Olympus the gods Apollo and Poseidon asked for her hand in marriage. She refused their offers and Zeus allowed her to remain an eternal virgin.

Fact 4 about Hestia: Zeus assigned to her a duty to maintain the fires of the Olympian hearth

Fact 5 about Hestia: She is often featured as one of the 12 Olympian gods but some Greek historians include the god Dionysus - hence some of the confusion related to names of the 12 Olympians

Fact 6 about Hestia: She does not feature in the mythical stories of the gods - she remained on Mount Olympus and did not interfere in the lives of mortals

Fact 7 about Hestia: The goddess was often called "First and Last" because she was the first to be eaten by Cronus but the last of her siblings to be disgorged

Fact 8 about Hestia: Her name means “the essence”, the true nature of things

Fact 9 about Hestia: She was given the role of 'keeper of the keys' on Mount Olympus and managed the large household of the gods

Fact 10 about Hestia: Every home had a hearth that was dedicated to the goddess, and each day started and ended with a ritual requesting she protected the family

Fact 11 about Hestia: She is known as the originator of the concept of “sanctuary” as she never refused hospitality to a stranger. Hestia’s followers believed it was a sacred obligation to help anyone who needed shelter or protection.

Greek Goddesses

Symbols of Hestia
In Greek Art the goddess was often illustrated with images and pictures representing the attributes and symbols associated with her. The symbols associated with the goddess are:

• A Modest head-veil befitting her virgin state
• A kettle or kettledrum reflecting her association with the hearth and the home
• Sacred Flame

Fun Facts about Hestia - Pictures of Hestia
Whilst checking out the facts about Hestia its a good idea to have an impression of what the goddess Hestia might have looked like.

Pictures of Hestia

In Greek Art this god was often illustrated with images and pictures representing the attributes and symbols associated with the goddess. Images, pictures and representations of the goddess of the hearth and home are found in the ancient sculptures, mosaics, paintings, pictures, pottery and vases that were made in ancient times.

Hestia

• Interesting information and Facts about the Greek goddess Hestia
• The Greek goddess of the hearth and the home
• Stories and Legends in Greek Mythology associated with Hestia
• Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids
• The Greek goddess of the hearth and the home