Dr. Ellie Mackin-Roberts, an ancient history expert from the University of Bristol, explores the fascinating and often overlooked figure of Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home. She discusses Hestia's unique role as both the eldest and youngest child of Cronos, unraveling her vital influence in daily Greek life. The conversation highlights her nurturing nature, contrasting with the more aggressive traits of her siblings, and her symbolic connections to family stability, purity, and modern cultural portrayals.
Hestia symbolizes the essence of home and stability, underpinning family life through everyday practices like cooking and gatherings.
Despite being less prominent in myths, Hestia's role is crucial in promoting unity and continuity within Greek domestic culture.
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Hestia: Overlooked Yet Central to Greek Society
Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, is portrayed as both the eldest and youngest child of Cronos and Rhea, symbolizing her connection to home and stability within Greek culture. Despite having fewer myths compared to other deities, her significance is profound as she represents the stability of domestic life and the crucial role of the hearth in daily practices such as cooking and communal gatherings. Hestia is at the heart of family life, emphasizing her worship through mundane activities like meal preparations rather than grandiose myths. As a result, her presence is ever-felt, contributing to the community's unity and stability despite her quieter role in mythology.
As both the eldest and youngest child of the great titan Kronos, and the Greek goddess of hearth and home, Hestia was incredibly important in almost every sphere of Greek daily life. But she is arguably one of the most overlooked deities in the Greek Pantheon. The question we're asking today is why.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined once again by the University of Bristol’s Dr Ellie Mackin-Roberts as they delve into the elusive, but fascinating figure of Hestia and uncover just how Hestia could be the eldest and youngest Greek God all at the same time.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. The scriptwriter is Andrew Hulse. The voice actor is Nichola Wooley.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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