Hestia

 The Titans

Jealous, cruel, harsh and prideful. The Greek Gods and Goddesses ruled the hearts of the ancient Greek people for hundreds of years. Although the usual God was someone to fear, this was not always true. The Goddess Hestia was not only beautiful on the outside, but she also had a beautiful loving heart. Hestia has a unique personality and interesting characteristics; what she rules and how she is worshiped is just as intriguing. The "Chief Goddess" Hestia, is considered "ideal" or is called the "model" goddess. It was through her pure heart and kind spirit that she ruled and guided her people.

Hestia is one of the few goddesses that we know and remember best for her characteristics and personality more than her outrageous legends and stories. Her personality is what sets her a part from the rest of the dramatic, problem-prone gods and goddesses. Her main description is: calm, secure, stable, welcoming, mild, gentle, forgiving, serene and above all else, centered. Because she was such a “perfect” goddess, with so few stories to tell, many people have forgotten about this supreme goddess and have instead remembered the crazy gods with crazy stories instead. She has been “forgotten” even though she is considered the “Chief of the Goddesses”. Hestia, with her cool emotions and sweet spirit, is viewed as the complete goddess. [**Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition] **

Hestia is the “first and last goddess”, the “forgotten goddess”, the “chief of the goddess”. She is like the big sister of all the goddess. Her list of responsibilities and “goddess of” ownership fits her sweet personality perfectly. Hestia has power over altars, hearths, the tame fire within the hearth, town halls and states [Atsma]. In return for a vow of chastity, Zeus also assigned honor to Hestia in human homes. She is the keeper of Olympus in many ways as well considering Olympus is the God’s home. She is the “keeper of the Reserves”. She sees to it that all the god’s clothing and equipment and pantries are taken care of. She always has their homes prepared when the gods and goddesses return from their adventures. Being as non-judgmental and forgiving as she is, she draws love and inspires trust in others. Hestia is always there for the other gods to help manage their lives, which are always much more exciting than her own. She is also there for the humans. “Sanctuaries” are very important to her. It is a direct offense to Hestia if someone refuses hospitality to a stranger. She believed strongly in helping those who are in need. To treat friends, neighbors and strangers well, was recognized by Hestia’s worshipers as a sacred obligation. Because of her own personal experience, special emphasis was always placed on the requirement to not “take advantage” of a female guest. [ The Goddess Hestia]

Hestia, because of the large range of things she is goddess of, is worshiped and honored in many different ways. The ways that people worshiped her were very reverent and meek. She does not have temples and particular places to worship like some of the other more vain gods do. The closest thing to a public temple just for her is her public hearths. These were called prytaneions (also spelled Prytaneum). The Greek people would kindle fire from her hearth in the prytaneion and keep it lit until they reached the hearths of new towns and cities. Every home also had a hearth. These were not only for warmth and cooking, but they were dedicated to the goddess. Each day began and ended with a ritual requesting that she would protect and nurture the family and household. The way the houses themselves were built was a tradition that honored her as well. Hestia intended that homes should be built from the center out; the center being a hearth, of course, that contained her sacred flame. Another relating tradition or ritual was that all the infants born in each household were carried in a circle (which is her symbol) around her altar to insure Hestia’s blessings; the altar being the fireplace in each home. In respect for Hestia, the home had a very clear vision. She truly believed that the house or home should be a place where the body, spirit, and relationships would be nurtured and where they would grow. A home of Hestia’s was a sanctuary. Another reverent way to honor her was through art. Her symbols are the sacred flame and the circle. Instead of big statues and portraits, in art, these symbols are put in to represent her. [The Goddess Hestia]

The story explaining why Hestia is one of the few virgin goddesses is very simple and typical of Hestia. If reflects her selfless personality perfectly. Hestia, a goddess of grace and beauty, caught the eye of the gods Apollo and Poseidon who both wanted her hand in marriage. Seeing that this situation would cause much trouble and war, she made a very wise choice. Not being a believer of love and romance to begin with, it was rather easy for Hestia to do what came next. Hestia placed her hand on the brow of Zeus and swore an oath that she would remain a virgin and never marry. Seeing the wisdom in her decision, and being very grateful for her sacrifice, Zeus honored Hestia. He announced that Hestia should be mentioned first in any prayer and that she should receive the first portion of any sacrifice and be honored in the temples of each of the Olympian deities. Zeus and the other goddess were so delighted in Hestia selfless decision. True to her nature, Hestia made the best choice for everyone and not only just for herself. [The Goddess Hestia]

Unlike many of the other gods, goddesses and heroes of Greek mythology, Hestia is not known for her “stories”. In fact, she has very few. There are three real Hestia legends that help people understand her personality and characteristics. It is from these three stories that Hestia gets her nick-names (Chief Goddess, First and Last etc.).

Of all the twelve Olympian Gods, Hestia was the first…and the last born. This is where she gets her name “first and the last”. Her and the other God’s parents are the legendary Titans, Cronus (or also spelled Kronus) and Rhea. Cronus was fearful of a prophecy told about him and his children. It was said that one of his own children would grow up to usurp his throne. As Rhea bore each of her splendid children, Cronus would swallow them. He did not want this prophecy to come too. Hestia, because she was first born, was the first to be swallowed. Later, the grieving goddess Rhea tricked her husband into swallowing a rock wrapped in swaddling clothes instead of the infant, causing him to vomit up all the babies. Hestia, because she was the first in, was the last to be disgorged. Hence, the goddess was often called “Hestia, First and Last”. [Atsma]

Hestia made the choice remain a virgin Goddess. She made this sacrifice to prevent violence and war among the goddess.

Hestia did not have much trouble keeping this promise except for once. After a drunken party of the goddess (of course Hestia was not drunk like the others) everyone lay down to sleep. Lustful Priapus approached her bed with the full intention to rape her. Before he had the chance though, a donkey (which just happens to be the symbol of lust) began to bray loudly. This awoke Hestia. As she screamed, she awoke the rest of the house. This sent Pariapus running away. Hestia’s virginity was saved. Hestia now has a interest in the safety of female guest. Hestia is true to her word. [The Goddess Hestia]

With such an amazing personality and sweet heart, Hestia is the "perfect" Goddess. I enjoyed researching such an amazing goddess because she is one of the few that represent true happiness in a world of wars and contention. Hestia held herself to a higher standard. Nobody could compare to the Goddess Hestia. 

Aaron J. Atsma. "Hestia." 2000-2008. [] Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition. ****Hestia. **61 West 62nd Street New York New York 10023. Columbia University Press. 2009. [|Ebsco] "The Goddess Hestia." [] Goddess Gift. 2002-2009. [] (citing a web page from a web site )
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