The Greek blacksmith god Hephaistos is better known by his Roman name of Vulcan. The son of Zeus and Hera (Jupiter and Juno to the Romans) he was lamed during a childhood fight between his parents, who rejected him. Vulcan was a magical smith, creating such fabulous artefacts as the armour worn by Achilles in the Trojan War. He was also said to have assisted the birth of his half-sister Athene, by splitting open his father's head with an axe. Athene sprang from Zeus' head fully formed. Despite his powers he was often derided by the other gods, especially in his marriage to Aphrodite or Venus, goddess of love. She had an affair with Ares (Mars) god of war, which Vulcan discovered. He created a magic net to trap the lovers, but was eventually persuaded to release them.
In Rome the Vulcanalia, or feast of Vulcan, was held on 23 August.
