Chapter 6, More Deities Summary and Analysis

In Hephaestus's Nature and Deeds, Graves observes that, "...the smith was something of a sorcerer," (p. 87) during the era. He further explains that there was a connection between the smith-god and sun worship, as well as to science, and as such, Hephaestus and Athena often shared their Temples in the city of Athens. Hephaestus has some basic disadvantages. He is ugly rather than beautiful and he was born a weakling. He ends up disfigured. He is the son of Zeus and Hera. Hera abandoned him because he was such a weakling, and he was taken in by those who viewed his as pathetic, but nurtured him and gave him access to metalsmithing equipment. It turned out he had artistic design abilities and was able to perform as an impressive jewelry smith as a result. This was so...