Meaning & use
Hephaestus
Last updated
UK/hɪˈfiːstəs/
US/hɪˈfestəs/
Meaning
proper nounproper
In Greek mythology, the god of fire, metalworking and craftsmen, who made weapons and tools for the other gods.
Grammar: Used without an article: Hephaestus made the shield.
Patterns
- the forge of Hephaestus
Hephaestus built the golden palaces of Mount Olympus.
In the story, Hephaestus forged the armor of Achilles.
The ancient Greeks honored Hephaestus with festivals for blacksmiths.
Common combinations
- the god Hephaestus
- The god Hephaestus was often shown with a hammer.
- forge of Hephaestus
- Smoke from the forge of Hephaestus was said to rise from volcanoes.
- temple of Hephaestus
- The temple of Hephaestus still stands above the Athenian agora.
- son of Zeus and Hera
- Hephaestus, a son of Zeus and Hera, was the only god who worked with his hands.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Vulcan
- Vulcan is the Roman god who matches Hephaestus, so you use it for Roman rather than Greek stories.
Word family
- Hephaestian adjective
- relating to Hephaestus
- Hephaesteum proper noun
- the temple of Hephaestus in Athens
Commonly confused: Hephaestus or Hermes?
Hephaestus vs Hermes
Hermes is the messenger god, not the god of the forge.
Practice
In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the god of ______.
Choose one answer.
Hephaestus ruled fire and metalwork. Poseidon was the sea god, Demeter the harvest and Ares war.
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