Mythman's Hestia Part Two

Hestia was universally revered, not only because she was the mildest, most upright and most charitable of all the Olympians, but as having invented the art of building houses. Although she was rarely depicted in art, and played almost no part in myths, she was held in the highest honor, by both the Greeks and the Romans.

A drunken brute named Priapus once tried to violate her following a feast attended by the gods, after everyone had passed out from too much food, drink and partying. Luckily for Hestia, a donkey brayed out loud and she awoke to find Priapus about to jump into her bed. Her screams sent the startled Priapus running off in comic terror.

That myth served to give warning against sacrilegious ill-treatment of female guests who are under the protection of the domestic or public hearth. It's notable that even the donkey, a symbol of lust, is the one to announce Priapus's criminal intent.

The Roman worship of Vesta, their name for Hestia, was more elaborate. They believed that her cult was first brought into their country, Latinum, by Aeneas following his flight from Troy after that mighty city fell to the Greeks.

One of the early kings of Rome, Numa Pompilius, built a temple in her honor, where the famous Palladium of Troy was preserved, brought there by Aeneas and believed to be an image of Athena or a shield that "has fallen out of the heaven."

The welfare of the whole city was believed to depend on the preservation of the sacred flame kept in the temple and attended by priestesses called the Vestal Virgins.

First there were four Vestal Virgins, later six; they were under the control of Pontifex Maximus, the head of the priestly college which directed the religious affairs in Rome.

When there was a vacancy he was the one who elected a new Vestal. The candidate had to be between six and ten years old, perfect in mind and body, and of Italian birth.

The training took ten years, while another ten were spent in carrying out the sacred duties, and finally, ten more in training the instructing novices. At the age of forty, the Vestal was free to return to the outside world and even take a husband if she wished.

The cult of Vesta was observed in Rome until the year 380, when the sacred fire was quenched and the priestesses dispersed by Emperor Theodosius.

Hestia, in all dwellings of men and immortals
Yours is the highest honor, the sweet wine offered
First and last at the feast, poured out to you duly.
Never without you can gods or mortals hold banquet.
An offering to Hestia at the beginning of each meal

Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, Hestia, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise: draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.

Homeric Hymn to Hestia

GREEK HESTIA STAMP

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