Hestia is a character from ancient Greek mythology (Roman equivalent: Vesta).

She is the goddess of the hearth, gentleness, domesticity and the family. Her name means "home and hearth": the household and its inhabitants.

Hestia symbolizes the alliance by between the colonies and their mother-cities and is the oldest daughter of Rhea and Cronus.

Originally listed as one of the Twelve Olympians, she was later removed in favour of Dionysus. Afterwards, she tended the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus. Her altars included every family hearth on earth.

Hestia vowed to forever remain a virgin and refused Poseidon and Apollo when they came calling.


Hestia is also the title of a science fiction novel by C. J. Cherryh.