Hephaestus

Hephaestus was the fallen God, literally. Zeus, in a fit of rage after his son defied him, threw him out of the upperworld. He landed three days later, nearly dead, in Lemnos. Had it not been for the Goddess Thetis and Eurynome, mother of the graces, Hephaestus would surely have died. They hid him in a cave and cared for him nine years as he learned his craft. He then returned to Olympus.

Hephaestus is often portrayed as an artisan, something which many of the ancient myths refer to. He fashioned a nearly invincible suit of armour for Achilleus, the son of Thetis. With the help of the Cyclops, he hammers out lightning bolts for Zeus.

When Prometheus provided fire to humanity using the fire from his forge, Hephaestus was commanded by Zeus to chain Prometheus to Mount Caucases. He complied, although reluctantly. Hephaestus also created Pandora, the most beautiful of women, to lure mankind into a trap. Upon opening Pandora's box, incredible evil would be released into the world. Despite his involvement in Zeus's sinister plots against humankind, Hephaestus is often portrayed as a peacemaker in legend. His participation in war is always reluctant.

In Roman mythology, Hephaestus is called Vulcan.

Genealogy: Hephaestus was born to Hera, either with or without the help of Zeus depending on the legend. Aphrodite was his wife. He had numerous children.

Symbols: Hammer, Anvil and Tongs