Hephaestus, the god of fire, especially the blacksmith's fire,
was the patron of all craftsmen, principally those working with
metals. He was worshiped predominantly in Athens, but also in
other manufacturing centers. He was the god of volcanoes and the
fire within them represented the smith's furnace. Hephaestus was
associated with Mount Etna, which is on the island of Sicily.
Known as the lame god, Hephaestus was born weak and crippled.
Displeased by the sight of her son, Hera threw Hephaestus from
Mount Olympus, and he fell for a whole day before landing in the
sea. Nymphs rescued him and took him to Lemnos, where the people
of the island cared for him. Other versions say Zeus threw him
from Mount Olympus after Hephaestus had sided with his mother in
a quarrel. This legend says that Hephaestus fell for nine days
and nine nights, and he landed on the island of Lemnos. It was
here that he built his palace and his forges under a volcano. To
gain revenge for his rejection by Hera, Hephaestus fashioned a
magic