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Hephaestus
Hephaestus <<hih FEHS tuhs>> was the blacksmith of the gods in Greek mythology. The
Greeks associated him with the creative fire used in blacksmithing and the crafts. They
credited him with making marvelous objects and inventions. He also formed the first woman,
sometimes called Pandora.
Hephaestus was represented as lame because many ancient Greek blacksmiths were lame
and thus unfit to serve as warriors, hunters, or farmers. The Greeks associated Hephaestus
with volcanic areas, especially the island of Limnos (also spelled Lemnos). He was the son of
Hera, goddess of marriage and childbirth. In a number of stories, his father was Zeus, king of
the gods. According to some myths, Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, goddess of love
and beauty. In others, he was married to one of the Graces, who were daughters of Zeus.
The Roman god Vulcan resembles Hephaestus.
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