What is Hephaestus?
{{more sources|date=March 2024}} [[Image:Rubens - Vulcano forjando los rayos de Júpiter.jpg|thumb|Hephaestus on work, a painting by [[Peter Paul Rubens]] made in c. 1636-1637 AD<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubens |first1=Peter Paul |title=Hephaestus/Vulcan · Gods, Saints, and Heroes: An Art History Resource |url=https://arthistoryguide.artinterp.org/omeka/exhibits/show/gods/item/58 |website=arthistoryguide.artinterp.org |accessdate=7 March 2024}}</ref>]] '''Hephaestus''' ({{lang-el|Ἥφαιστος}}, ''Hēphaistos'') is the Greek god of [[fire]], [[metalworking]], craftsmen, [[sculpture]], [[metallurgy]] and [[volcanoes]]. His parent was [[Hera]], Hephaestus was the [[blacksmith]] of the gods. He was married to the goddess [[Aphrodite]], who cheated on him with his brother [[Ares]]. His symbols were a smith's hammer, an [[anvil]], and a pair of [[tongs]]. The donkey was his sacred animal. The god [[Vulcan (mythology)|Vulcan]] is his Roman equivalent. == Description == Who is Hephaestus? When Hephaestus was born, he was ugly and weak, with some broken dogs. Hera did not like the way he looked and threw him off her [[castle]] which was on top of the clouds. Hephaestus fell for one day and one night before falling into the sea. The ocean animals rescued him and took him to an [[island]] called Lemnos. There Hephaestus built his forge underneath a volcano. He collected precious [[metal]]s, [[pearl]]s and pieces of [[coral]] to fashion extraordinary [[jewelry]]. Hephaestus built little [[robot]]s of [[gold]] to help him get around. Hephaestus even worked with the [[Cyclops|Cyclopes]] (one eyed creatures). To impress the gods and goddesses, he made a set of golden thrones for them. Hera realized her mistake of throwing Hephaestus off [[Mount Olympus]] and wanted Hephaestus back. Hephaestus politely refused, saying that he was quite happy where he was. Hephaestus denied her because he knew that the only reason that Hera wanted him back was because he could make her items. He then set to work and fashioned a beautiful golden