Hephaestus: God of Fire
The Ancients8 Tammi 2023

Hephaestus: God of Fire

This episode contains references to sexual assault and terms for groups which were classified that way at the time.


Hephaestus, son of Zeus and Hera, is the God of fire and foundry in Greek mythology.


He is the only god with a disability, a part of his identity that becomes a double-edged sword. Often treated disparagingly by the rest of the Greek pantheon as a result, chiefly by his own mother, Hera, who in some versions of mythology throws him off Mount Olympus she’s so ashamed of him, it also becomes a key component of his wisdom and creativity, using his blacksmith powers for both good and bad. In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by University of Oxford’s Dr Steve Kershaw where together they discuss Hephaestus’s origin story, his controversial marriage to Aphrodite, and why in Dr Kershaw’s words, he is “the god that should never be underestimated”.


The Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie

Script written by Andrew Hulse

Voice over performed by Nichola Woolley

The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe


If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy other episodes in the series: Zeus: King of the Gods and Hera: Queen of the Gods.


For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here.


If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - enter promo code ANCIENTS for a free trial, plus 50% off your first three months' subscription.


To download, go to Android > or Apple store >

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(594)

Roman Toilets

Roman Toilets

They built roads, aqueducts, and bathhouses but what about toilets?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Hannah Platts, to uncover the surprisingly fascinating world of Roman toilets, faeces and sewers. From...

13 Marras 20251h 3min

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

Today in this bonus episode Tristan introduces us to History Daily podcast, where host Lindsay Graham takes us back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history.Whether ...

11 Marras 202532min

Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history’s most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hu...

9 Marras 202553min

Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age

Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age

Who were the Vikings' ancient ancestors? In this episode Tristan Hughes explores the fascinating maritime culture, sophisticated trade networks and social hierarchies of the Nordic Bronze Age c. 1800–...

6 Marras 202553min

Fall of Babylon

Fall of Babylon

The year is 539 BC. The greatest city of the ancient world has fallen. Babylon has opened it's gates to a new conqueror: the mighty Persian king Cyrus the Great.In this episode of The Ancients, Trista...

2 Marras 202547min

Origins of Yoga

Origins of Yoga

Warrior, Cobra, Downward Dog. If you do Yoga today, those are poses you’re surely aware of. But where and when did Yoga originate?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Jim Ma...

30 Loka 202554min

Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans

Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans

Join us for a special episode of The Ancients, recorded on-site in Norfolk, as we delve into the fascinating history of the Iceni tribe both before and after Boudica's famed revolt against the legions...

26 Loka 20251h

Bog Bodies

Bog Bodies

What lurks under the surface of the dense black peat pits strewn across northern Europe? Bog bodies, naturally mummified humans, have fascinated archeologists for decades as they offer unique insights...

23 Loka 20251h 2min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
totuus-vai-salaliitto
tsunami
konginkangas
rss-ikiuni
rouva-diktaattori
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-peter-peter
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
maailmanpuu
rss-iltanuotiolla
apinan-vuosi
rss-outoja-uutisia-pohjois-suomesta