Hephaestus and Mount Olympus In Greek Mythology the principle Greek gods, that included Hephaestus, were referred to as the Twelve Olympians and lived on the summit of Mount Olympus which was protected by a special layer of clouds. The gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus attended sumptuous banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia (the food of the gods) and nectar (the drink of the gods). The names of the other Olympian gods were Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hestia or Dionysus, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Hephaestus and Hermes. Picture of Hephaestus The Symbols of Hephaestus In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the god Hephaestus was often illustrated with images representing his symbols - fire, anvil, hammer, axe, tongs, donkey and quail. - Symbols of Fire, anvil, hammer, axe and tongs
- The symbol of the fire was associated with the myth that he introduced fire to mortals. The anvil, hammer, axe and tongs were all tools used in his forge
- The symbol of the Donkey
- He was often depicted on the back of a donkey and the donkey was also used instead of bellows to make the forge fire hot
- The Quail
- The symbol of the quail was because the bird that does a hobbling dance in springtime
Picture of Hephaestus (Vulcan) assisted by the Cyclopes Hephaestus in Greek Mythology The god of fire and the forge is famous for making the weapons and the armor for the gods and some of the Greek heroes such as the bows and golden chariots for Apollo and Artemis, golden shields for Greek heroes such as Heracles (Hercules) and Achilles. Hephaestus also made the thrones for all the gods on Mount Olympus and constructed their fabulous palace that was made of bronze. However, his supernatural and powerful skills as a metal worker led him to make many other astonishing items using gold, silver and bronze, including magnificent metal robots that served the gods and their favorites. Many of the marvelous mechanical robots were made for King Aietes in gratitude for the kindness shown to him by his father. The fantastic robotic devices made by Hephaestus included: - Robotic gold statues that looked like young men that could think and speak. They acted as torch bearers in the palace of King Aiedes
- Gold and silver mechanical dogs that guarded the doors of the palace of Alcinous
- The bronze giant Talos, who he gave to King Minos to guard the island of Crete. Talos features in the mythology surrounding Jason and the Argonauts
Talos, the mechanical robot giant Facts about Hephaestus in Greek Mythology Discover interesting information and facts about Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology. The facts about Hephaestus provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Hephaestus in Greek Mythology. Worshipping the gods Mythical Facts about Hephaestus When his mother Hera first saw Hephaestus she was so affronted by his ugly appearance that she threw him into the sea from Mount Olympus, causing him to become lame
His forge and workshop was situated under a volcano
Hephaestus worked with a one-eyed Cyclopes to create weapons for the gods
Zeus commanded Hephaestus to create the first female mortal by mixing earth and water to fashion a maiden with a voice, strength and the face of a goddess . The name of the first female mortal was Pandora
Ares was caught in an invisible net by the god Hephaestus whilst committing adultery with the god's wife Aphrodite
When Hephaestus was thrown off Mount Olympus he was tended by Eurynome and Thetis, who were the nymphs called Nereids
Hephaestus built the golden palaces of all the Olympian gods and goddesses and fitted them with locks that others could not open |