Hephaestus
Also known as: Hephaestos
- 1Hephaestus is the patron deity of blacksmiths, artisans, and metalworking.
- 2His divine portfolio includes fire, sculpture, and volcanoes.
- 3He is the son of Hera, with accounts of his paternity involving Zeus.
- 4He is defined by a congenital impairment that resulted in his lameness.
- 5His exile from Mount Olympus is attributed to either Hera or Zeus in different mythological traditions.
Hephaestus is the Greek god of artisans, blacksmiths, carpenters, craftsmen, fire, metallurgy, metalworking, sculpture, and volcanoes.
Connections1
Creator of the first woman
According to the Hesiodic tradition, Hephaestus was commanded by Zeus to mold Pandora out of earth and water, giving her human form.
Hephaestus is the Greek god associated with blacksmiths, artisans, craftsmen, and metallurgy. His domain extends to fire, sculpture, and the power of volcanoes.
The Doric Temple of Hephaestus, Agora of AthensWikimedia Commons: File:Atenas,_Ágora_03.jpgThetis Receiving the Weapons of Achilles from Hephaestus by Anthony van Dyck (1630–1632)Wikimedia Commons: File:Anthonis_van_Dyck_066.jpgVulcan Presenting the Arms of Achilles to Thetis by Peter Paul Rubens.Wikimedia Commons: File:Peter_Paul_Rubens_177.jpgHephaestus at the Forge by Guillaume Coustou the Younger ( Louvre )Wikimedia CommonsMars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan by Alexandre Charles Guillemot (1827).Wikimedia CommonsAthena Scorning the Advances of Hephaestus by Paris Bordone (between c. 1555 and c. 1560)Wikimedia CommonsHephaestus and 2 assistants work on the arms for Achilles, the shield held up by Hephaestus and one of his assistants shows the mirror image of Thetis, sitting and watching the scene. Fresco from Pompeii.Wikimedia Commons He was the son of Hera, born either through her own power or in union with Zeus. He is famously characterized by his lameness, which resulted from a congenital impairment. Accounts vary regarding his departure from Mount Olympus, with some stories suggesting he was cast out by his mother, while others attribute his exile to Zeus following a conflict.