n.
Greek goddess of the hearth and 1 of the 12 chief deities of Mount Olympus .
She was the daughter of Rhea and Cronus . When Apollo and Poseidon became suitors for her hand, she swore to remain a maiden forever, whereupon Zeus gave her the honour of presiding over all sacrifices. Though mainly a goddess of the family hearth and domestic life, she was sometimes also worshiped at the civic hearth in public buildings.