The Original Hephaestus Quiz

Answer: False

Hera produced Hephaestus all by her lonesome in retaliation for Zeus' relationship with Metis (which eventually produced Athena). Zeus provided no procreative substances to the deal.

Answer: The Theseum

The temple was also called the Hephaesteum and was built in 449 B.C. It lies at the foot of the hill to the Acropolis in Athens and is still present. The temple is often cited as the best example of the type of Greek architecture known as "Doric."

Answer: Mount Etna

Hephaestus' forge is said to be in the bowels of Mount Etna. When magma flies from the mountain, it is said that Hephaestus is working in his shop.

Answer: dog

Ironically, it has been said that great dogs surrounded Mount Etna to protect his forge.

Answer: Theseus

Periphetes was a giant who wielded an iron club with which he bashed in his victims. He was the first challenge met and defeated by the great Athenian hero, Theseus, on his legendary journey from Troezen to Athens. Theseus wrested the club from Periphetes' hand and killed him with a blow to his head. Theseus went on the kill the loathesome Minotaur.

Answer: Dionysus

Dionysus got Hephaestus drunk with wine. He returned to Mount Olympus with Hephaestus draped over the back of a donkey--a popular scene in Greek art. Some stories have Hephaestus only releasing Hera after being offered Aphrodite for his wife. In any event, Dionysus gained entry into the Pantheon for his deed.

Answer: True

Pandora was formed by Hephaestus in the image of Aphrodite. Pandora literally means "all gifts."

Answer: Erechtheus

Erechtheus was conceived when a drop of Hephaestus' semen fell upon the Earth (explaining why some accounts have him as the offspring of Gaea--Mother Earth). One story has his semen dropping off of Athena's leg after Hephaestus tried to force himself upon her. Erechtheus is usually characterized by a snake.

Enceladus was one of the Titans and son of Gaea--Mount Etna was said to have been put over his slain body.

Euros was the Greek god of the East Wind.

Eridanus was the river into which Phaethon plunged after his dismal attempt at driving the sun-chariot.

Answer: Lemnos

The Island of Lemnos is considered to be one of the places where the cult of Hephaestus may have originated; the other potential site being Greek Anatolia.

Answer: Aphrodite

In one version of the story, the jealous Hephaestus is said to have caught Aphrodite in bed with Ares. He rounded up their naked bodies in a magic net and hauled them off to Mount Olympus for justice. Allegedly, the gods simply laughed at the sight and let the two go free.

Answer: cyclops

I wonder if the Cyclopes thought Hephaestus to be weird, what with his two eyes and all...

Answer: True

Most accounts have him rather gruff, perhaps, but not violent. He does have some blemishes on his peaceful record, however, depending on the version of the story.

Answer: Chalceia

Chalceia was also associated with Athena. Both her and Hephaestus were associated with craftsmen and artisans. The festival was said to celebrate the invention of bronze-working by the Smith-god.

Theogamia was a festival honoring Zeus and Hera.

Kronia was a harvest festival in honor of Cronos.

Panathenaia was a festival honoring Athena.

Answer: Vulcan

Poor Hephaestus. Even though he was the original, we have named the science of Volcanos--vulcanology--after the Roman God of Fire, the junior of the two. I can't imagine us calling it "hephaestology."

Though, actually, after saying it a few times, it doesn't sound so bad...

Answer: Poseidon's trident

The trident was made and given to Poseidon by the Cyclopes. They also gave Zeus his first thunderbolt and Hades his cap of invisibility.