HistiaHestia

One of the Olympians; the goddess of the Hearth, i.e. the protector of home and family.

Histia is the sister of: Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter and Hera.

Histia was the first born child of Kronos (Cronos) and Rheia (Rhea); one of the three virgin goddesses including: Artemis and Athene (Athena); a perpetual fire was kept burning in her honor at Delphi and whenever new colonies were founded, fire was taken from Delphi to the new settlement; the first and last libations were poured to her at every banquet.

By being the first born, Histia was the first of six children to be swallowed by Kronos in his attempt to prevent one of his children from taking his throne; Rheia substituted a stone for Zeus and he was not swallowed by Kronos; after Zeus was grown, he attacked Kronos and he (Kronos) disgorged the swallowed children; Histia was the last to be spewed forth and so she is considered the youngest AND the oldest Olympian, i.e. the first born to Rheia (oldest) and the last to be freed from Kronos’ belly (youngest).

For more detailed information on Histia I suggest that you consult the Immortals section of this site.

• Theogony, line 454
• Hymn to Aphrodite, line 22
• The two Homeric Hymns to Histia