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An ancient god of fire in Roman mythology, Vulcan is the counterpart of the Greek god Hephaestus, the god of fire and patronspecial guardian, protector, or supporter of metalwork and crafts. The tales about Vulcan, who is sometimes called Mulciber (the smelter), are all based on Greek myths about Hephaestus.

The son of Zeusin Greek mythology, king of the gods and husband of Hera (Roman god Jupiter) and HeraGreek goddess, wife and sister of Zeus; queen of heaven (Roman goddess Juno) (or, in some versions, of Hera alone), Hephaestus was lame and deformed. Some stories say that Zeus threw him from Olympusin Greek mythology, home of the gods for taking Hera's side in a quarrel with Zeus...