Homeric Hymn 5 to Aphrodite 18 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th – 4th B.C.) :
“Zeus the Father gave her [Hestia] a high honour instead of marriage, and she has her place in the midst of the house and has the richest portion. In all the temples of the gods she has a share of honour, and among all mortal men she is chief of the goddesses.”
There are some people who interpret the relative lack of mythology about Hestia as being indicative of her relative unimportance among the Olympian Theoi. Some people have even gone so far as to paint her as being without “distinct personality” as if she were little more than an extension of the other gods.
This view is belied by the quote with which I opened this post. This quote indicates that Hestia is one of the most important gods. She is one of the chief Goddesses, having a share of honor in all the temples. She is found at the midst of the house…. The place of honor in the house in all ancient cultures….
This view is belied by the quote with which I opened this post. This quote indicates that Hestia is one of the most important gods. She is one of the chief Goddesses, having a share of honor in all the temples. She is found at the midst of the house…. The place of honor in the house in all ancient cultures….