Hephaestus


 * //Hephaestus// **





God of Blacksmith, Technology, Craftsman, Artisans, Fire and Volcanoes.

Weapons: Smith's Hammer. Alliances: All Olympian Gods. Symbols: An [|anvil] and a Pair of [|tongs]. **Overview** Hephaestus was the son of [|Hera]. He was the God of Blacksmith and Technology. He was lame which then gave him a good appearance in the Greek eyes. He was born weak and crippled which therefore, made [|Zeus] throw him off Mount Olympus. Also, Hephaestus was born partheno-genetic, meaning he was born without fertilization of the egg. When Zeus threw him off Mount Olympus because of that factor and he then fell for 9 days and 9 nights and then landed on the Island of Lemnos. When he was there, under a volcano, he built his palace and forge. He built a magic Throne for his mother. This Throne was then given to his mother on Mt. Olympus, where it entrapped her when she sat in it. He was worshiped in the manufacturing and industrial centers of Greece. It was usually in Athens. The center of his cult was in [|Lemnos]. he was supposed to have an arranged marriage with Aphrodite, however she cheated on him with [|Ares] so the marriage was obviously called off. Zeus had arranged the marriage to stop the conflict with the other gods that all wanted her and were constantly fighting over her. **Background Information on Hephaestus **  [|Hephaetus] had a "unslightly appearance" so Athena refused a union with him. He then impregnated [|Gaia] who then gave birth to Erichthonious of Athens. But, Homer makes Charis the wife of Hephaestus. However, according to most myths, Hephaestus is a husband of [|Aphrodite], who cheats on him with [|Ares]. Anyway, Hephaestus crafted a lot of the excellent equipment of the gods, and almost any metalwork made with powers that appears in Greek myth is said to have been forged by Hephaestus. Example of his fine work are: Hermes' winged helmet and sandals, the Aegis breastplate, Aphrodite's famed girdle, Agamemnon's staff of office, Achilles' armor, Heracles' bronze clappers, Helios' chariot, the shoulder of Pelops, and Eros' bow and arrows. In i.590, Zeus threw Hephaestus from Olympus because he gave away his mother Hera who was suspended by a golden chain between earth and sky, after an argument she had with Zeus. Hephaestus fell for nine days and nights before landing on the island of Lemnos where he grew to be an amazing craftsman. After that, he was allowed back into Olympus when his ability and usefulness became known to the gods that didn't know that before. In addition, Hephaestus is the only Olympian god to have been kicked out from Olympus and then to return. **More Information on the Affair of Hephaestus and Aphrodite**  Hephaestus and Aphrodite had an arranged marriage, as stated above in the overview and background information. Zeus had this marriage arranged because all of the gods wanted Aphrodite and were fighting over her. So, he thought that he could stop this problem by having Hephaestus marry her. However, one problem did occur. Aphrodite didn't want to marry him because she thought he wasn't good looking and wasn't up to her standards.  Hephaestus Gave his wife with his most beautiful creations, the finest furnishings, stunning jewelry, and even a magic girdle that would make her irresistible to men. Aphrodite treasured all these gifts, but they did nothing to halt how she felt about their marriage. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> She cheated on him with Ares until he found out. He then wrapped them up in a net and drug them to Mount Olympus to shame and embarrass them infront of the other gods. The other gods thought it was funny even though Hephaestus didn't. They did not marry even though some say they did. <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Hephaestus had multiple children. He had children with mortals and immortals because it didn't matter to him whether or not they were man or god. One of his child is named Periphetes. Periphetes is a son of Hephaestus and Anticleia. Like his father, he was lame on one leg. He robbed travelers and killed them with his iron club. Theseus killed him and afterward used the club as his own weapon. Hephaestus' other child was with Thalia. The name of the child was Palici. Palici were twin brothers that were associated with geysers and the underworld. He had other children, however they are not mentioned because they were nothing big and didn't have a lot to do.
 * **<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">Important Facts **
 * Hephaestus and His Children **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">**In the end.....** In the end, Hephaestus was talented, kind, and generous. He loved his work and prefered to spend all his time in his workshop. He had many love affairs and had many children with mortals and immortals alike. He was a master craftsman and was a likeable god even though they saw him as unattractive and not having a good appearance with a lame leg. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(128,0,0); font-family: Georgia,serif;">

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"> "Hephaestus." __Wikipedia, the Free Encylopedia.__ 2009. 26 April 2009 < []<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">
 * Works Cited**

"Hephaestus." __Encyclopedia Mythica__. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 26 Apr. 2009 <[]>.

"Palici." __Wikipedia, the Free Encylopedia.__ 2009. 26 April 2009 <[]

"Hephaestus". __Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2005__. 1993-2004. Microsoft Corporation. 27 Apr. 2009 <www.encarta.com>

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