Vulcan

fire and the forge

Vulcan commands fire and volcanoes and forges the weapons of the gods.

💡 Did you know? The word „volcano“ comes from his name.

Hephaestus

Vulcan is the Roman counterpart of the Greek smith god Hephaestus.

💡 Did you know? Like Hephaestus he was married to the love goddess Venus.

in August, because of the fire danger

The Vulcanalia in August fell in the driest and most fire-prone time of the year.

💡 Did you know? He was asked to protect the granaries from fire, for in August the harvest had just been stored.

beneath fire-spewing mountains

Vulcan forges deep beneath volcanoes like Etna, where smoke and sparks rise.

💡 Did you know? He was helped by the one-eyed Cyclopes, who also forged Jupiter's thunderbolts.

live fish

At the Vulcanalia festival in August, small live fish were thrown into the flames.

💡 Did you know? They were substitute offerings: a life for the flames, so they would spare people.

for fear of fire

Because people feared the destructive power of fire, Vulcan was often worshipped outside the walls.

💡 Did you know? So he was asked to keep the dangerous fire away from the densely built rows of houses.