Vulcan, << VUHL kuhn, >> in Roman mythology, was the god of fire, metalworking, and skilled craftwork in general. He also served as the blacksmith of the gods. Vulcan produced armor, weapons, and many other works. All were perfectly made, and some had magic qualities. Roman metalworkers and other craftworkers worshiped Vulcan as their patron.
Vulcan was originally a god of fire, especially fire as a destructive force. The English word volcano comes from the Italian form of Vulcan’s name. Vulcan came to be identified with the Greek god Hephaestus and thus became associated with metalworking and craftwork. Many of the myths about Vulcan are identical with myths about Hephaestus.
Vulcan was believed to be a son of Jupiter and Juno, the king and queen of the gods. One myth describes Vulcan as being the son of Juno alone, with no father. Vulcan was lame—the only major Roman god who was physically imperfect. Some myths say he was born lame, and others say he became lame from a fall. Although Vulcan was the least attractive of the gods, he married Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Venus was unfaithful to Vulcan with both gods and mortal men. Many myths tell of Vulcan’s jealousy over his wife’s love affairs.
