Fire In Ancient Civilization

Fire the crucial element that contributed to the evolution of the human race. Without this substance the advancement of our species would never have come about. It can both bring about the creation of an entire civilization or destroy anything that comes within its grasp. This is why fire was so highly regarded in ancient society. Though many religions do not distinguish between the use of fire and the sun, it can be witnessed in their culture from art to text. The figures I have chosen to describe are from Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian mythology. There are many similarities between the deities Hestia, Ra, Nusku, and that is each are different variations of the principal element of fire and warmth. Hestia the greek goddess of the hearth
and the home, and also one of the three virgin goddesses. She was also the goddess of the sacrificial flame, and as such received a share of every sacrifice to the gods. Hestia is the eldest of the Olympians, and therefore she was also the first child that her father Cronus swallowed. Though when her little brother Zeus forced Cronus to regurgitate all six of his siblings she was the last to come out. That is why she is considered to be both the eldest and the youngest of the Olympians. When the gods Apollo and Poseidon sought for her hand in marriage, Hestia refused, and pleaded with her brother Zeus to allow her remain an eternal virgin. In return she would tend to the central hearth on Olympus, and preside over every family and communal gathering area on Earth. He agreed to this, and instead of getting infuriated and malicious Apollo and Poseidon both agreed to defend her wish to ensure nothing bad ever came to here.
The hearth fire in the household was not allowed to go out by any family unless it was ritually distinguished. Though Hestia did not have a public cult, she was worshipped at any temple, regardless of the god the temple was dedicated to. Hestia is described as a kind, forgiving and discreet goddess with a passive, non-confrontational nature.
Each city had a public hearth that was sacred to Hestia; the fire kindled there was never allowed to go out. New colonies took fire from the hearth in the prytaneion (also known as the town hall) and kept the fires going in those new locations. Every meal began and ended with an offering to Hestia.
Ra is considered to be the creator of the world and represents sunlight, growth, and warmth in Egyptology.
The ancient Egyptians associated Ra’s purpose was to travel across the sky during the day in his boat called the “Barque of Millions of Years.” Then when the day was over and all was through it was said that Ra was swallowed by Nut and sailed on to the underworld, this in turn left the moon in his place to light up the world. Everyday at dawn he is reborn from Nut the goddess of the sky and heaven that is why she is regarded as Ra’s mother.While en route he fought with his main enemy, an evil serpent named Apep also known as The Lord of Chaos. There are stories where Ra took the form of a cat named Mau and defeats the evil serpent. The Dawn form of Ra is known as “Khepri the Scarab God.” The twilight and dusk form of Ra is known as the ram-headed god Khnum. The sacred cobra that encircled Ra’s crown symbolized royalty, sovereignty, and divine authority. The right eye of Ra represents the Sun and light, while the left eye of Ra represents the moon and darkness.

Nusku (Sumerian Nuska) is minister to the god Enlil, although he also appears as Enlil's son in some variant traditions. Nusku is associated with fire and light and played a role in protecting against evil. He was invoked as a protective guardian during the night, where he protected sleeping people, brought them good dreams and prevented nightmares. Records of Old Babylonian food offerings to deities indicate that
Nusku had a temple or chapel in the city of Nippur.