Vulcan vs Hephaestus a battle of crafts and might.

Two gods of the forge both claiming volcanoes as their forge. Who has more power, skill and worship? How are their stories different?

Vulcan the roman god of fire, metalworking and the forge. Son of Jupiter and Juno and sibling to Mars, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, Bacchus and some heroes and minor gods. Hephaestus the Greek god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges, the art of sculpture, blacksmiths and volcanoes. Son of Zeus and Hera and sibling to Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Hermes and many heroes and minor gods.

Vulcan has the role of blacksmith of the gods and forges their weapons. ERROR 404 additional information not found. Hephaestus made all the weapons of the gods in Olympus. He served as the blacksmith of the gods. He crafted much of the equipment of the gods.

Hephaestus was ejected from the heavens by Hera for being a cripple and fell into the ocean. He was raised by Thetis. Eventually he returned to Olympus after being pleaded to by the other gods. Vulcan however has no such story.

Vulcan has a festival to his name; the Vulcanalia. On the 23^rd of august. Bonfires would be created, into which live fish or small animals were thrown as a sacrifice, to be consumed in the place of humans.

Hephaestus’s symbolism: sometimes shown as a “vigorous” man with a beard. He is described as lame, depicted with crippled feet. This is either from birth or his fall from Olympus. In some myths he built himself as wheeled chair or chariot (a wheel-chair) to overcome his lameness. Vulcan’s story was based off of this and has no very distinguishing factors.

So, it would seem we have a winner, but who is it? Hephaestus has more power than Vulcan and more talent at crafts. Vulcan has a festival of his own in which live sacrifices are made to protect the people. The score is on to one however there is one factor that reveals our champion. The story. Hephaestus has an epic tale of deception and shunning behind him and Vulcan merely copied some of it. So, Hephaestus is the winner. 

Tune in in later (maybe... eventually) for part 2.