Hephaestus and the Throne of Hera

Hera Goddess of Family Love and Marriage

She was upset that Zeus had Athena born from his head. She was jealous and wanted her own

solo child.

Hera had her own child who was

named Hephaestus. She was shamed by

his ugliness. She threw him from

Olympus

He was saved by a Nereid (Sea Nymph) Thetis (Mother of Achilles) She brought him to an underwater cave

where he created his first forge.

There he practiced for 9 years and became a master craftsmen. No one could make the quality of materials he

made.

Hera saw some of the elaborate jewelry that Thetis was wearing and

wondered who made it.

She was informed that her son was not dead. She told him to craft gifts for the Olympians. He

decided to make thrones for the other Gods.

He sent out thrones to all the

Gods and Goddesses who

were pleased with his level of

craftsmanship.

Hera loved her new

throne, but when she sat upon it she

could not get up.

The Gods try to scare and appease

Hephaestus. Dionysus ends up bringing him to

Olympus where he was promised the hand of Aphrodite in marriage and was allowed to

become an Olympian

He set his mother free and married Aphrodite!!!

What does this teach us about the Greek?

Hephaestus crafted his own success through effort, despite his lack of good looks.