HEPHAESTOS More commonly known as Vulcan, Hephaestos was the son of Zeus and Hera, and was born crippled, lame in one leg. Disgusted at this flawed product of her loins, Hera cast him out of Olympus, and falling into the sea he was rescued by Thetis and Eurynome. These two cared for him, and he abided there for nine years, fashioning many wondrous artifacts, using his inborn sense of creativity and genius to form the most incredible objects and machines.