n.
In Roman religion , the goddess of the hearth, identified with the Greek Hestia .
Because maintaining a hearth fire was important in ancient times, she was worshiped in every household. Her state worship was elaborate: her temple in Rome had a perpetual fire that was attended by the Vestal Virgins . The fire was officially extinguished and renewed annually on March 1st; its extinction at any other time was viewed as a portent of disaster to Rome.
Vesta (seated on the left) with Vestal Virgins, classical relief sculpture; in the Palermo Museum, ...
By courtesy of the Palermo Museum, Italy