Hephaestus
God of fire and metalworking
Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Many stories say that Hera produced Hephaestus on her own and he has no father. Hephaestus is also considered the only physically "ugly" God. After Hera gave birth to Hephaestus, it is said that she was furious about having such an ugly child, she threw him from the heavens and into the sea, breaking his legs. Other stories say that Zeus threw him off of Mount Olympus because of an argument with Hera.
God of Metalsmithing and Fire
Hephaestus is the God of smithing and fire. Hephaestus has made many of the beautiful things the Gods used and many palaces atop Mount Olympus. His most famous and largest accomplishment was creating the first woman, Pandora. Hephaestus forged inside a volcano in Aetna, with the help of the Cyclopes.
Hephaestus symbols are:
- Axe
- Pincer
- Fire
- Hammer
Hephaestus and Aphrodite (and others)
Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite by Zeus. Hephaestus loved Aphrodite, and gave her everything she ever needed, but Aphrodite didn't love Hephaestus the same. Aphrodite had numerous affairs behind Hephaestus's back, but the most famous affair was with his brother Ares. When Hephaestus found out that Aphrodite had been with Ares, he built a net like trap to capture Ares and Aphrodite together. He then brought them to shame by exposing them to the world.
Shortly after Hephaestus divorced Aphrodite, he tried to seduce Athena, who he had loved for a long time. When she refused to sleep with him, he forced himself on her. This ended in Hephaestus fathering an accidental son with the Goddess Gaia.
Citations
"Hephaestus." Hephaestus. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
"Hephaestus - Greek Mythology Link." Hephaestus - Greek Mythology Link. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
"Olympian Gods ยป Hephaestus, the God of Fire and Metallurgy."Hephaestus,the Greek God of Fire. Myths of Hephaestus. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
"HEPHAESTUS : Greek God of Fire & Metalworking | Mythology, Hephaistos, W/ Pictures | Roman Vulcan." HEPHAESTUS : Greek God of Fire & Metalworking | Mythology, Hephaistos, W/ Pictures | Roman Vulcan. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.