Download Vulcan - Roman God of Fire

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6th Grade
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Vulcan - Roman God of Fire
Volcanoes and Mythology
The word 'volcano' comes from the little island of Vulcano in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily,
Italy. Centuries ago, the people living in this area believed that Vulcano was the chimney of the
workshop where Vulcan, the blacksmith of the Roman gods, worked. They thought that the hot
lava fragments and clouds of dust erupting form Vulcano came from Vulcan's workshop (also
called forge) as he beat out thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods, and weapons for Mars, the
god of war.
In Roman mythology, Vulcan, the god of
fire, was said to have made tools and
weapons for the other gods in his workshop
at Olympus. Throughout history, volcanoes
have frequently been identified with Vulcan
and other mythological figures.
Scientists now know that the "smoke" from
volcanoes, once believed by many to come
from Vulcan's forge, is actually volcanic gas
naturally released from both active and
many inactive volcanoes.
Answer the questions. Underline or highlight your answers on the passage:
1.
Where does the word “volcano” come from?
2.
What did the people of Italy centuries ago believe Vulcano to be?
3. Who was Vulcan?
4. What kind of work did the Romans believe Vulcan did?
5. Who was Mars?
6. Do you think Jupiter was powerful? Why or why not?
7. What do scientists know now about the smoke that comes from volcanoes?
8. Why do you think people in the Roman Empire believe such funny and crazy
things about volcanoes?