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temple in Chaeronea, one of the several artifacts attributed to Hephaes-
tus seen by Pausanias (9.40.11– 12). 1
The earliest description of Hephaestus at his forge appears in an ex-
tended passage in the Iliad. In the scene, the goddess Thetis seeks out
Hephaestus to create a glorious set of armor for her son, Achilles (fig. 7.1).
She finds the smith “glazed with sweat,” working at his anvil in his abode
made of bronze, where he is aided by various automated devices. He-
phaes tus wipes his brow with a sponge, sets aside his project, stores his
tools in a silver chest, and greets his guest.
Thetis requests a bronze helmet, a richly decorated shield, and chest
and leg armor more fabulous than any other ever made. Elaborate
Fig. 7.1. Hephaestus in his forge, showing Thetis the marvelous armor for her son, Achilles. Red-
figure kylix, from Vulci, about 490– 490 BC, by the Foundry Painter, F 2294. Bpk Bildagentur /
Photo by Johannes Laurentius / Antikensammlung, Staatliche Museen, Berlin / Art Resource, NY.