Who was Vesta?
The Goddess of the hearth and fire
Why was the hearth/fire in the centre of the house?
It provided light and heat for cooking and warming the family
What did Vesta have as a state Goddess?
Her own priesthood and temple complex
Who was Vesta’s flame believed to have been brought to Italy by and what does it symbolise?
Aeneas and symbolised the security of the state
What did Romans think would happen in the flame went out?
Rome would be destroyed
How was Vesta represented?
A veiled head