Highlights
- Hestia’s role in Hades 2 ties deeply to the theme of home and family, blessing Melinoe on her quest to restore her own.
- Hestia’s presence as an Olympian in the game reflects her importance in Ancient Greek and Roman mythology as the goddess of the hearth.
- The absence of Dionysus in Hades 2 may hint at Hestia’s role among the 12 Olympians, adding depth to the game’s narrative.
Hades 2‘s technical test revealed new characters, including some new Olympians. One of the Olympians who made her first appearance is Hestia, the goddess of the hearth. Hestia’s presence in Hades 2 brings a slew of implications in the game thanks to her role in Greek mythology and as one of the Olympians, the purpose of her cult and nature of her worship in Ancient Greece and Rome, and the thematic ties she has to the story of Hades 2.
Hestia’s intrinsic ties to the home are an important thematic link for Hades 2, a story about Melinoe who is fighting to bring back her home and family. As Hestia confers her blessings on Melinoe on her quest, it should become clear throughout Hades 2‘s story that Hestia’s involvement as the Olympians fight to protect their home, and as Melinoe fights to restore hers, is no accident.
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References to Hestia’s Mythology in Hades 2
Hestia in Mythology
Hestia is the firstborn of the Titans Chronos and Rhea. Her younger siblings are Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. As the goddess of the hearth, she was depicted as a goddess who rarely left Olympus, and instead was a caretaker of the gods. Hestia was also one of the three virgin goddesses alongside Artemis and Athena, and the three goddesses were said to be the only three beings who Aphrodite, the goddess of love, had no power over.
Though Hestia is known for never leaving Olympus, she’s considered one of the most important goddesses in both Ancient Greece and Rome. Traditionally, all burned sacrifices were first made to Hestia because of her role as the goddess of the hearth, and her Roman counterpart, Vesta, had a temple in Rome with dedicated priestesses who kept her flame burning.
While Hestia is one of the 12 Olympians, in some sources she’s replaced with Dionysus, where he’s depicted as a god who’s arrived from a far away land. Some early theories were that Dionysus was worshiped later than the other Olympians, where he then replaced Hestia, but early texts referencing Dionysus were discovered that dispute the theory.
Hestia and Dionysus in Across Hades and Hades 2
Regardless of why, the two gods are never depicted as a part of the 12 Olympians together, and Hestia’s presence in Hades 2 may mean that Dionysus may not be in Hades 2. Dionysus was depicted in Hades, while Hestia didn’t appear (though she was mentioned), and her weapon, Exagryph or the Adamant Rail, was one of the Infernal Weapons available to Zagreus. Dionysus hasn’t been shown in Hades 2 yet, and may not make an appearance because of Hestia’s presence in Hades 2 if Supergiant Games keeps to this tradition. Alternatively, Dionysus may still make an appearance, and they could lampshade it in the text as an Easter egg for those in the know.
Hestia’s presence in Hades 2 makes sense on a thematic level, as her cult and worship were intrinsically linked to both women and the home. Vesta’s temple in ancient Rome was maintained exclusively by women, the Vestal Virgins, and for Hades 2, where many of the goddesses, such as Melinoe, Hecate, Artemis, Selene, and Nemesis, are leading the battle against Chronos, and including Hestia is appropriate. More than that, though, is Hestia’s links to the hearth and home; both because the Olympians’ home is being attacked, but also because Melinoe is fighting to get her home and family back. Having the goddess of the hearth bless Melinoe and give her support as she fights for her home is incredibly appropriate narratively.
Hades 2
Hades 2 is the continuation of the massively popular Hades franchise, which began with the flagship title, released by Supergiant games in 2020. Players will once again dive into the underworld, aided by Gods and Goddesses as they make their way through the enemies of the Underworld in this Roguelike indie smash hit.
- Franchise
- Hades
- Released
- May 6, 2024
