The Story of Hephaestus
Hephaestus was the son of Hera, and in Homer his father is Zeus, though Hesiod says Hera bore him on her own. Unlike the other gods, he was not born perfect. He was lame, and his mother was so unhappy with him that she cast him down from Mount Olympus.
In one version he fell into the sea, where the sea goddesses Thetis and Eurynome caught him and raised him in an underwater cave. There he spent nine years learning to work metal, making beautiful jewelry for the goddesses who cared for him. In another tale, Zeus threw him from Olympus and he landed on the island of Lemnos, where the local people nursed him back to health.
Hephaestus never forgot how his mother had treated him. He sent her a golden throne as a gift, and when she sat on it, invisible chains held her fast. None of the gods could free her, and Hephaestus refused to return until Dionysus got him drunk and led him back up to Olympus on a donkey. In exchange for releasing Hera, he was given Aphrodite as his wife.
His marriage to the goddess of love was not a happy one, and she was unfaithful to him with Ares. In some stories he was later married to Aglaea, one of the Graces. Hephaestus had few children compared with other gods, but some said he was the father of the Athenian king Erichthonius, whom Athena raised.
Hephaestus became the master craftsman of the gods. In his great forge, helped by the Cyclopes and by golden robot servants he had built himself, he made the palaces of Olympus, the aegis of Zeus, the chariot of Helios and the arrows of Apollo and Artemis. He also shaped Pandora, the first woman, and crafted new armor for Achilles during the Trojan War.
Craftsmen, smiths and potters worshipped Hephaestus, and he was especially honored on Lemnos and in Athens. The Temple of Hephaestus, which overlooks the Ancient Agora in Athens, is one of the best preserved ancient Greek temples anywhere. The Athenians also held a festival for him called the Hephaestia, with a torch race in his honor.
Hephaestus showed the Greeks that skill and hard work could earn a place among the gods, even for one who was mocked and cast aside. The Romans knew him as Vulcan, from which we get the word volcano, since people imagined his forges burning beneath fiery mountains. He remains the patron of anyone who makes things with their hands.
Famous Myths About Hephaestus
Thrown from Olympus
Hera was so displeased by her baby's appearance that she threw Hephaestus off Mount Olympus, and in other versions Zeus hurled him down for siding with Hera. He fell for a full day and landed on the island of Lemnos, and the fall was often said to explain his lameness.
The Golden Throne
To get revenge on Hera, Hephaestus sent her a beautiful golden throne that trapped her as soon as she sat down. Only Dionysus could convince him to return to Olympus, getting him drunk and leading him home on a donkey to set his mother free.
The Net for Ares and Aphrodite
When he discovered his wife Aphrodite was having an affair with Ares, Hephaestus forged a net of fine, unbreakable chains. He caught the lovers together and exposed them to the laughter of the gods.
The Shield of Achilles
At the request of Thetis, Hephaestus forged a new set of armor for her son Achilles. Its great shield was decorated with scenes of the whole world, including cities at peace and war, farms, and the encircling ocean.
The Making of Pandora
When Zeus wanted to punish humankind for receiving fire, he ordered Hephaestus to shape the first woman, Pandora, from clay. The other gods gave her gifts, and she brought a jar full of troubles into the world.
Where to See Hephaestus in Greece
Hephaestus's Family Tree
Parents of Hephaestus
Wives of Hephaestus
Children of Hephaestus
Frequently Asked Questions About Hephaestus
Who is Hephaestus in Greek mythology?
Hephaestus is the Olympian god of fire, the forge and metalworking. He built the palaces of the gods and made many wonders, including the armor of Achilles and Pandora, the first woman.
Who are Hephaestus's parents?
In Homer, Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. In Hesiod, Hera gave birth to him on her own.
Why was Hephaestus lame?
In one story Hera threw him from Olympus because he was born lame, and in another Zeus threw him down for taking Hera's side in a quarrel. He landed on the island of Lemnos.
Who was Hephaestus's wife?
Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who was unfaithful to him with Ares.
What are Hephaestus's symbols?
Hephaestus's symbols are the hammer, the anvil, the tongs and the forge.
What is Hephaestus's Roman name?
The Romans called Hephaestus Vulcan, which gives us the word volcano.
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