Greek mythology may have several different versions of one myth or tale, depending upon the source. One of the stable foundations of ancient Greek mythology is the divine role of the twelve great Olympian gods and goddesses that live atop Mount (Mt.) Olympus, along with numerous other lessor gods and goddesses known to mythology. These twelve great Olympians are immortal and hailed as the supreme power and influence of their time. Each god is portrayed as beautiful with bodies sculpted to perfection, with one exception: Hephaistos, the god of fire and craft. He is the smith and armorer of the gods and the only supreme Olympian god who is lame. He is portrayed as ugly and sometimes serves as a comical figure. A master of metals and crafts, he forged many celebrated works. Some works are remembered as famous, others as infamous.
Hephaistos is the son of Zeus, Father of the gods, and Hera, goddess of marriage. Some say he is the son of Hera alone. He has a crippled leg and walks with a limp. The origin of his lame leg is in question. In one account, he interceded in a fight between Zeus and Hera, and Zeus picked him up by the foot and threw him from Olympus to the volcanic island of Lemnos. In another account, Hera flung him off Mt. Olympus into the ocean when he was born after discovering he was not the vision of perfection, as a god should be. The sea goddess Thetis discovered the child and cared for him as her own. .
Hephaistos is married to Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. He forged a beautiful chariot of gold for her as a wedding gift. However, she was known for her infidelity with the war god Ares. Hephaistos realized her unfaithfulness and devised and set a trap of gold mesh, then schemed to find them in bed together. He released his trap, which suspended them in the air. Then, seeking vindication, he called for all the gods of Olympia to see the pair captured, but they only laughed at Hephaistos" shame.