Download A myth is `a story handed down through history, often

Austin Pickens
English 1
1/14/10
What is a myth?
A myth is 'a story handed down through history, often through oral tradition, that
explains or gives value to the unknown'. Greek and Roman mythology are the best known
source of myths. It is highly religious in all cultures that tell myths. Parts of it may be true
but most of it is usually false.
Hephaestus
The god of fire and forge one of the sons of Zeus and Hera. Some say that Hera alone
produced him and that he has no true father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.
Some say that Hera was upset by having an ugly child and she cast him from Mt
Olympus and into the sea, breaking his legs. Others say that he took Hera’s side in an
argument between her and Zeus and he cast Hephaestus from Mt Olympus. He is the
smith and armorer of the gods. In roman he is called Vulcan, which means volcano.
Aphrodite was considered the wife of Hephaestus. His workman and assistant, the
Cyclops, helped him to forge Lightning bolts for Zeus. He also built Zeus’ scepter. He
made Athena’s shield and also made Eros’ arrows. He fashioned invincible armor for
Achilles. It is also said the he, with the help of other gods, made the first woman.
Hephaestus’ revenge against Hera
When Hephaestus found out that he had been rejected by his mother he promised
to take revenge. He made a splendid golden throne and sent it to Mt Olympus as a gift to
his mother. When she saw the throne she cheerfully sat on it and was immediately
Austin Pickens
English 1
1/14/10
encased in invisible, unbreakable chains. She cried for help and all Olympian gods came
to help but none were able to free her. The soon realized that the only one who could
liberate Hera was Hephaestus. They asked for the help of Dionysus, the god of wine, to
offer Hephaestus some wine and intoxicate him. Dionysus agreed and brought him up to
Mt Olympus where Hephaestus freed Hera. After, the gods thanked Hephaestus and gave
him Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as his wife as well as a magnificent palace of gold on
Mt Olympus.
Austin Pickens
English 1
1/14/10
Works Cited
“Hephaestus Myth.”
<http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=active&q=hephaestus&cts
=1263481172062&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi>, 14 Jan. 2010.
“Hephaestus Myth.” (2010).
< http://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/hephaestus/myths/hephaestusrevenge/>, 14 Jan. 2010.
“What is a Myth”. (2010).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/myths. 14 Jan. 2010.