Why hephaestus was crippled

According to another version of his birth myth, Hephaestus was born perfectly healthy, but when he intervened on behalf of his mother in a dispute between his parents, Hera and Zeus, Zeus flung Hephaestus off Mount Olympus. Hephaestus fell for a full day until he crash-landed on the island of Lemnos.

The Lemnians took care of him as best they could, but the god was left crippled. Hephaestus was grateful to the Lemnians and established his workshop on the island.

When the volcano on Mount Aetna erupted, the Romans said that Vulcan was working in his forge. Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, but theirs was not a happy marriage. Aphrodite had a long-standing affair with the war god, Ares. Whenever Hephaestus would leave home, Aphrodite and Ares would jump into bed. When the sun god, Helius, informed Hephaestus of what his wife did while he was away, Hephaestus came up with a plan to catch the two in the act. He built a golden net which was so fine that it was invisible and set it up above his bed.

He then told his wife that he was taking a trip to Lemnos to visit his forge and hid. He flew in the air for an entire day before he smashed into Lemnos Island. He landed on several large rocks and his foot was severely injured, leaving him crippled.

He remained on the island, where he learned to become a blacksmith. How did Hephaestus, cursed with a lame foot and unattractive features, win the heart of the most beautiful goddess?

On a day of celebration for Hera, Hephaestus gifted her with a golden throne. He had built the throne himself and Hera was thrilled with the gift. She sat down and admired her new throne. But when she tried to get up, she realized that Hephaestus had placed her in invisible shackles, holding her captive in her seat.

Hephaestus was seeking revenge against his parents for abandoning him as a child. Hera immediately felt guilty, began to cry, and begged her son for forgiveness. The gods were angry with Hephaestus and demanded that he let his mother go.

But he refused. Dionysus , a close friend of Hephaestus, stepped in. He asked Hephaestus to have dinner with him and discuss the situation.

During dinner, Dionysus got his friend drunk and convinced him to release his mother. But just before he was about to release Hera, Zeus appeared and expressed his disappointment with his son. He told his father that he would only release the shackles if he was promised Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, as his wife.

Hephaestus released Hera and then took his new bride. Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite. Euklela was the goddess of good repute and glory. Euthenia was the goddess of prosperity and plenty.

Eupheme was the goddess of being well spoken. Philophrosyne was the goddess of friendliness. Hephaestus was not known for being very attractive. He is often portrayed as an older man with broad shoulders and an intimidating physique. He usually has a white beard. He is typically wearing a short tunic, which was the clothing of choices for craftsmen. He is associated with acts of nature, like fire and volcanoes.

Other symbols include a hammer, an anvil, and tongs. Sign in. Log into your account. Sign up. Password recovery. You May Also Like:. Cassiel Prof. Geller - February 2, 9. Nephthys Prof. Geller - October 29, 0. Tiresias Prof. Geller - November 6, 0. Tanuki Prof.