Hephaestus
Firegod and
god of the blacksmiths and volcanos, Hephaestus could make anything through
his excellent craftmanship.
He was ugly and deformed, and was originally thrown off Mount Olympus at birth
when his mother Hera or father Zeus saw him. Sometimes Hera is considered
his only parent, just like Zeus was the only parent to Athena. The jealous
Hera was said to have given birth to Hephaestus as a revenge for Zeus nerve
to make a child by himself.
Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite or one of the Graces, Aglaia, and his
workshop was under the volcano Etna on Sicily where the Cyclops were his helpers,
making Zeus' lightnings. In some stories his wife is the pleasant goddess
Charis.
As a character, Hephaestus was often ridiculed because of his appearance,
but as an artist he was much admired. He made the most beautiful jewellery
for women, and splendid weapons for men.
He was strongly connected to the island Lemnos, since one of the myths tell
us a different version of how he became limp. At one of Zeus and Heras many
arguments he tried to intervene, upsetting Hera so much that she threw him
off the Olymp. After falling all day he ended up on the island, where the
people looked after him.
In Athens he was celebrated together with Athena at the Chalkeia festival.The Romans called Hephaestus
Vulcanus.