Hephaestus
Publié le 22/02/2012
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Greek The god of craftsmen, especially
smiths, and of fire; called "the divine artificer."
In some accounts, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus
and Hera, in some of Hera alone. The Romans gave
his attributes and stories to Vulcan.
Hephaestus was lame from birth and not as handsome
as the other gods on Olympus. Some myths
say Zeus or Hera flung him from Mount Olympus
in anger. He landed on the island of Lemnos, where
the sea goddesses Thetis and Eurynome rescued him
and looked after him until he was grown.
Although lame, Hephaetus had strong shoulders
and was an excellent craftsman, the patron of all
smiths, and perhaps something of a magician.
In Homer's Odyssey, Hephaestus was married to
the beautiful goddess of love, Aphrodite, but she was
66 Helleniza tion
unfaithful to him, and had many lovers, including
Ares, the god of war. Hephaestus used his craftsmanship
to get the better of Ares.
Another story has it that Hephaestus cracked
open the head of Zeus in order to release the goddess
Athene.
In other accounts (including Homer's Iliad) Aglaeia,
one of the three graces, is the wife of Hephaestus.
Hephaestus is an ancient god whose origins are
probably in Asia Minor, and who was kindly and
peace-loving. His smoky, flaming workshop was supposed
to be located beneath Mount Etna, the volcano
in Sicily, an idea that the Romans adapted for vulcan.
With Athene, the cult of Hephaestus was important
in the life of the city of Athens.
Some scholars say that every Bronze Age (c. 3000
b.c.) tool, weapon, or utensil was believed to have
magical properties and that the smith who made
them was thought to be a sorcerer.
Liens utiles
- Hephaestus - Mythology.
- Daedal us (Cunningly Wrought) Greek A legendary Athenian, descendant of the god Hephaestus, who was known as "the divine artificer.