Hestia

Family: Olympians · Role: goddess · First appears: Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1

Hestia was the first-born and youngest child of Cronos. When Poseidon and Apollo sought to wed her, she refused them and swore to remain a maiden all her days. Zeus granted her high honour instead of marriage, giving her a place in the midst of the house and the richest portion.

In the hymn to her, Hestia is addressed as tending the holy house of Apollo at Pytho. She and Hermes are invited to dwell together in friendship, aiding people with wisdom and strength; Hestia is also said to have gained “an everlasting abode and highest honour”.

Relationship record

Life events

• Hestia refused Poseidon and Apollo when they sought to wed her.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Poseidon Apollo
  • “But she was wholly unwilling, nay, stubbornly refused;”
• Hestia swore to remain a maiden all her days.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Zeus
  • “she, that fair goddess, sware a great oath which has in truth been fulfilled, that she would be a maiden all her days.”
• Zeus granted Hestia high honour and a place in the house instead of marriage.(Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1)
  • With: Zeus
  • “So Zeus the Father gave her an high honour instead of marriage, and she has her place in the midst of the house and has the richest portion.”
• Hestia gained an everlasting abode and the highest honour.(Homeric Hymn XXIX · To Hestia)
  • “you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honour”

Homeric Hymn V · To Aphrodite · Part 1

• parent: Cronos “She was the first-born child of wily Cronos and youngest too , by will of Zeus who holds the aegis,—a queenly maid whom both Poseidon and Apollo sought to wed.”
• admirer: Poseidon “She was the first-born child of wily Cronos and youngest too , by will of Zeus who holds the aegis,—a queenly maid whom both Poseidon and Apollo sought to wed.”
• admirer: Apollo “She was the first-born child of wily Cronos and youngest too , by will of Zeus who holds the aegis,—a queenly maid whom both Poseidon and Apollo sought to wed.”

Homeric Hymn XXIV · To Hestia

• with Apollo (Hestia tends Apollo’s holy house.) “Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho,”

Homeric Hymn XXIX · To Hestia

• friends with Hermes “Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their strength.”
• parent: Cronos “Hail, Daughter of Cronos, and you also, Hermes, bearer of the golden rod!”

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Extracted from the original text of Hesiod and Homerica. Made with Rho MD.