---
title: Vesta
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Vesta/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2022-08-09
---
# Vesta
_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_
Vesta was the goddess of the hearth, the home, and domestic life in the [Roman religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Religion/) (idenitified with the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) goddess [Hestia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hestia/)). She was the first-born of the titans Kronos and [Rhea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhea/) and, like the others, was swallowed by her father. When her brother [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/) (the Greek [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/)), who managed to escape their father's appetite, freed his siblings, Vesta was the last to be released (because she was the first swallowed) and so is regarded as both the oldest and the youngest of the gods. She was very beautiful and attracted the attention of both [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/) and [Neptune](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neptune/) who fought for her hand. Vesta rejected them both, however, and begged Jupiter to allow her to remain forever a virgin. When he consented to this, Vesta was pleased and took care of his home and hearth; thus identifying her with domestic life but, more importantly, with domestic tranquility.
The hearth fire in the home of the ancient Romans was not only essential for cooking food and heating water, but also served as the gathering place for the family and, in time, became associated with the spirit of that particular family gathered around that particular hearth. The Latin word for `hearth' is *focus* which, of course, is used in English to designate a center or activity of interest. The hearth in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) was most certainly such a center of activity and the fire which burned there was most important. Sacrifices to the gods of the home were made by the fire and thrown into the flames. When one left home on a business trip, or even on vacation, one carried some of the hearth fire along in order to keep one's home close even when away. Further, the difficulty of making or transporting fire made the constantly-burning hearth a vital element in the home as well as state buildings. Vesta, therefore, along with the house spirits of the *Penates*, *Panes* and *Lares*, was a goddess revered in every strata of [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) society as she was thought to literally "keep the home fires burning" from the most modest apartment to the grandest villa.
In the shrine of Vesta in the Roman Forum a fire perpetually burned and was tended to by the Vestal Virgins (Latin: *Vestales*). The fire was renewed annually on March 1 (which was originally the Roman new year) and the sanctuary was not open to the public save during Vesta's feast days (June 7-15, known as the *Vestalia*) when matrons were allowed to visit barefoot and in humility. When the *Vestalia* ended there was a ceremonial sweeping of the sanctuary and it was considered a time of bad luck and unfriendly omens until the sweepings were disposed of in the Tiber River or in a certain spot agreed upon in the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/). Vestal Virgins were expected to remain chaste throughout their tenure as servants of Vesta and the punishment for failing to do so was to be buried alive or, in one notable case, to have molten lead poured down the throat.
Vesta is always depicted as a fully-clothed woman accompanied by her favorite animal, the ass. Since Vesta was goddess of the hearth she was also the patron goddess of the bakers of the city and, as the ass turned the millstone to grind the wheat for the bread, the animal became closely associated with the goddess. She is also frequently depicted holding a kettle (a symbol of the hearth) and also cut flowers (symbolizing domesticity). Like the goddess [Bastet](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bastet/) in [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) belief, Vesta was of special service to [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) but was popular with both sexes. She was the proctectress of Rome in that she cared for and maintained the homes of each of its citizens. Of all the Roman deities, only Vesta was accorded the honor of full time clergy devoted solely to her rites.
[  Vestal Virgin, British Museum Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2682/vestal-virgin-british-museum/ "Vestal Virgin, British Museum")The Vestal Virgins kept the sacred fire burning in her [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) and tended to her hearth in gratitude for her charity and care of the people. They were disbanded in 394 CE by the Christian emperor Theodosius I who also prohibited the worship of Vesta along with the other gods of the pagans and closed the schools and temples. After almost one thousand years of observance in Rome, the sacred fire of Vesta was extinguished and the new Christian faith instituted their own rituals.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Bulfinch, T. *Bulfinch's Greek and Roman Mythology.* Dover Publications, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0486411079/)
- [Durant, W. *Caesar and Christ.* Simon & Schuster, 1980.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0671115006/)
- [Nardo,D. *Exploring Cultural History - Living in Ancient Rome.* Greenhaven Press, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0737714565/)
## About the Author
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)
## Timeline
- **c. 113 CE**: The House of the [Vestal Virgins](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vestal_Virgin/) is completed in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s [Forum Romanum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/).
## External Links
- [The Roman Goddess Vesta, for Kids](https://rome.mrdonn.org/romangods/vesta.html)
- [Greek Goddess of Hearth & Home (Roman Vesta)](https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Hestia.html)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Mark, J. J. (2009, September 02). Vesta. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "Vesta." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 02, 2009. .
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "Vesta." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Sep 2009, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 02 September 2009. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.