a Roman divinity, whose image at one time stood in the forum, where fires were lighted every night. Subsequently, when the forum was paved, the fires were kindled in other parts of the town, in order not to spoil the stones (Fest. p. 317, ed. Müller). In inscriptions she is sometimes called Statia Mater, and she is probably identical with Vesta. (Hartung, Die Relig. d. Röm. vol. ii. p. 110.)
[L.S]A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890