In ancient Rome, the goddess of the hearth is Vesta. She represents home, family, and the sacred fire that symbolizes community life. Vesta is revered for her role in maintaining the state's security through her priestesses, the Vestal Virgins, who ensured the sacred flame was never extinguished. Her worship reflects the importance of domesticity and the protection of the household in Roman culture, highlighting how social values centered around family and the state.