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Icy Sedgwick

Fantasy fiction & folklore!

Meet Vulcan, Roman God of Fire, Volcanoes and Blacksmiths

July 22, 2023 by Icy Sedgwick 3 Comments

For some among you, Vulcan conjures mental images of Star Trek , with the name being that of the planet Spock calls home. For others, you’ll know Vulcan as the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, and blacksmiths.

That’s the incarnation of Vulcan we’ll be looking at in this article. He’s the equivalent of the Greek Hephaestus. His worship dates at least to the 8th century BCE, as far as records go, when the Romans built him a shrine (Apel 2022).

He was an important god for the Romans, and like Silvanus and Juno, he was also important to ordinary people – not just the Roman state.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of his myths and how people worshipped him!

Who was Vulcan?

We can trace his origins to Sethlans, an earlier Etruscan god of ‘beneficial fire’ (as opposed to destructive fire) (Apel 2022). This makes him one of Rome’s oldest gods, and the shrine to Vulcan at the foot of the Capitoline Hill is one of Rome’s oldest temples.

Early Etruscan priests told the Romans to keep shrines to Vulcan outside city limits, which makes sense when you consider ancient tendencies to build houses from wood.

Despite these Etruscan origins, in the Roman myths, Vulcan is the son of Jupiter and Juno, and brother of Mars. In one legend, recycled from the stories of Hephaestus in Greece, he was ugly when he was born. Juno was furious, believing that her offspring with Jupiter would be as beautiful as Jupiter’s children with nymphs, and she threw him off the mountain. He broke his leg when he landed, which never healed properly. Thetis the water nymph found him and raised him as her own.

He discovered a talent for making things using metal and fire, and made a silver necklace for his adoptive mother. When Juno saw it, she was shocked to learn her own son had made it.

The gods eventually welcomed him back among them, where his talents saw him forge weapons, armour, jewellery and other important items for gods and heroes alike. As an example, he made Jupiter’s lightning bolts and Cupid’s arrows. Vulcan even helped Jupiter birth Minerva from his own forehead using his tongs.

It’s also Vulcan who makes Pandora from clay – and yes, that’s the same Pandora who opens the jar and unleashes evil into the world.

Venus and Vulcan

The myths often stress Vulcan’s unappealing physical appearance, and yet he ended up with Venus as his wife. This was not something Venus was happy about.

Before Vulcan returned to Olympus, he’d made a beautiful chair of gold for Juno. He sent it to the gods as a gift, and Juno was overjoyed with it. The problem was, when she sat in it, it set off a mechanism that trapped Juno in the chair. Vulcan had never forgiven Juno for her rejection of him as an infant.

None of the gods could undo such mechanical trickery, and eventually Jupiter promised Vulcan his choice of wife if he would release Juno.

Even though everyone expected Venus and Mars to marry, Vulcan chose Venus.

It was not a happy marriage, and Vulcan had no children with Venus. Instead, Venus and Mars continued their relationship behind Vulcan’s back (who, let’s remember, was Mars’ half-brother). According to legend, whenever he found out she’d been unfaithful, he worked so hard at his forge beneath Mount Etna in Sicily that he created a volcanic eruption. Others think eruptions are simply Vulcan hard at work on his various commissions.

I just want to point out that the eruption of Mt Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum began on August 24, AD 79, the day after the Vulcanalia. Some writers on the subject have wondered if Vulcan was dissatisfied with his sacrifices that year. Or maybe he’d just heard about Venus’ infidelity again.

Armourer of the Gods

In the Aeneid, Venus asks Vulcan to make a shield for her son, Aeneas. This reflects the visit of Thetis in the Iliad to see Hephaestus and request divine armour for Achilles. Sergio Casali notes that this is entirely pointless of Venus since Aeneas doesn’t actually need armour (whereas Achilles does in the Iliad). The request of armour from Vulcan is purely a narrative device to conflate Aeneas with Achilles in the mind of the reader (2006: 187).

Aeneas is also not Vulcan’s son. So Venus is asking her husband to make armour to protect her son by another man, Anchises. Though to be fair, Jupiter makes Venus fall in love with Anchises so she can be the mother of Aeneas. Either way, Venus seduces Vulcan to get him to agree to make the shield.

But it does also remind us that Vulcan is often essentially an artist-for-hire, which explains why he’s the god of artisans. He works on commission for others, rather than producing the things he wants to create. If you wanted to, I’m sure you could claim Vulcan as a god of freelancers.

In other works, he’s also a patron god of confectioners, bakers and cooks since they all use ovens. Francis Bacon even drew parallels between Vulcan and alchemists (Linden 1974: 551).

Why is Vulcan important?

He’s also quite an unusual figure among the gods as a lame god. Some describe him simply as lame, others refer to his deformed leg. Either way, it makes for an interesting depiction of disability among deities usually held to be perfect. There is a belief that the other gods treat him as a servant because of his bad leg.

That said, there is a suggestion that his deformity has a foundation in historical practice. It is believed that people would train slaves to be smiths, but then maim them so they couldn’t escape. As a result, people would associate blacksmiths with deformity, so naturally, Vulcan would be lame (Apel 2022).

He’s usually depicted with a beard, while he either wears a hat and a tunic tied at one shoulder, leaving the other shoulder bare, or he’s naked except for an animal skin tied around his waist. Figurines of Vulcan have also been found in Britain, demonstrating that the Romans found Vulcan helpful enough to carry to the edges of the empire.

The Vulcanalia

The Vulcanalia falls on August 23 because this was the season of wildfires and droughts. People thought if they honoured the fire god at the time when they were most at risk of fires, then they might prevent them from breaking out. A major part of the worship of Vulcan was to avert fires, which explains much of the Vulcanalia.

As an example, the Great Fire of Rome raged between 18 and 23 July, AD 64. Ancient historians blamed Emperor Nero for the fire, claiming he wanted to destroy the city to build a new palace. Nero himself blamed the Christian community, thus starting a new wave of persecution against the Christians. Some saw the fire as a message from Vulcan, so Domitian, the emperor after Nero, built a bigger temple to Vulcan on the Quirinal Hill and expanded the annual sacrifices to include red bulls.

On the day of the Vulcanalia, the Romans lit huge bonfires outside of Rome’s city limits to symbolise their control of fire. They made offerings to Vulcan by throwing fish and small animals into these bonfires; the idea being that sacrificing these items meant Vulcan would spare the city or its grain stores.

The Romans also held games to honour Vulcan. Trumpets were sacred to the god, so the Romans also held ceremonies to purify their trumpets. Pliny the Younger refers to a superstition in which people began their day’s work by candlelight, which some think was intended to remind Vulcan of his control over beneficial fire, rather than destructive fire.

There is little evidence of this custom outside of Pliny’s writings so we don’t know to what extent people actually practised it, though it would certainly make sense. Vergil notes in the Aeneid that Vulcan himself rises before dawn to tend his forge, so the timing might also be in his honour.

By all accounts, it’s a more peaceful festival than the Lupercalia in February or Saturnalia in December. Yet its apotropaic functions make it an incredibly important one.

How to celebrate the Vulcanalia

If you’d like to celebrate it yourself, then start your day with candlelight before dawn! Just remember to extinguish any candles before you leave the house.

Bless any fireplaces, microwaves, ovens, grills, or other fiery household goods—these all fall under Vulcan’s domain and you want them to keep working. Have grilled fish for dinner and set some of it aside for Vulcan.

If you don’t eat fish, then I would argue biscuits in the shape of a fish would make a good substitute, through the link between the Vulcanalia and grain.

What do we make of this god?

There is little written about how ordinary people worshipped gods on a day-to-day basis. And naturally at home, people would appeal to Vesta over the hearth fire.

Yet anyone who worked with fire in any capacity would no doubt offer prayers to Vulcan. Smiths and artisans in particular would ask for his aid, given his status as the supreme craftsman.

And while he doesn’t always come out of the myths well, such as ensnaring Venus and Mars in bed with a golden net, or trapping Juno in a chair, Vulcan is usually responding to the way other people treat him. He’s not depicted as malicious, and he usually diverts his immense creative intelligence into his work.

It’s easy for us to forget the fear that fire would instill in earlier peoples, since technology has largely brought fire under control. But it’s worth remembering that it still demands respect, because a small spark can easily get out of control.

What do you make of Vulcan?

Apel, Thomas (2022), ‘Vulcan’, Mythopedia , https://mythopedia.com/topics/vulcan .

Casali, Sergio (2006), ‘The Making of the Shield: Inspiration and Repression in the ‘Aeneid.’’, Greece & Rome , 53 (2), pp. 185–204.

Linden, Stanton J. (1974), ‘Francis Bacon and Alchemy: The Reformation of Vulcan’, Journal of the History of Ideas , 35 (4), pp. 547–560.

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Reader interactions.

July 22, 2023 at 10:27 pm

I had a pre-order for your upcoming folklore book on Amazon and they sent me an email saying the book would not be available. I hope this is just a minor setback and you will be able to get this book out.

July 23, 2023 at 9:11 am

I don’t know what that’s about – I’ll have to let the publisher know because I have no control over it at this point.

July 23, 2023 at 11:33 am

loved this one i always felt sorry for him he got dumped by his mum and trapped in a loveless marriage being cheated on time and again another gods son and so much more i always like him even with all the problems he had he was still a good one

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The master of metallurgy and handicraft, Vulcan was the Roman god of fire and forge, as well as the patron of artisans and smiths. Known as the ugliest of the gods, Vulcan suffered from lameness in one leg due to an injury he sustained as a child. The patron of craftsmen was exceedingly crafty himself and used his guile to marry  Venus , the goddess of love and sexual desire. As with many Roman deities, Vulcan was a near identical copy of his Greek equivalent:  Hephaestus .

A storied member of the  Roman pantheon , Vulcan was originally adapted from an Etruscan deity known as Sethlans. This version of Vulcan was later Hellenized and given most of the trappings of Hephaestus; Vulcan’s mythological tradition was largely similar to that of his Greek counterpart.

In this bronze statue from the first century CE, a bearded Vulcan readies himself for the rigors of the forge.

The name “Vulcan,” or  Vulcanus  in the Old Latin, was borrowed directly from the Latin noun  vulcanus  meaning “fire” and “volcano.” This etymology was likely a reflection of Vulcan’s association with the fires of the forge, but could also reference his mythic upbringing beneath Mt. Etna, an active volcano on the island of Sicily.

From metallurgy and smithing to arms and jewelry making, Vulcan was a master of the forge. He was believed to have created the strongest and most sophisticated items of ancient lore, including  Jupiter ’s lightning bolts and  Mercury ’s winged helm.

Vulcan’s deformed leg made him something of a pariah amongst the gods. It was this imperfection that compelled Vulcan to seek perfection in his craft.

The Classicist Robert Graves suggested that Vulcan’s deformity related to an ancient practice among North African and Mediterranean peoples, whereby slaves would be trained as smiths and then maimed in order to prevent their escape. [1]  According to this interpretation, Vulcan was deformed because—in the popular imagination—blacksmiths were deformed.

Vulcan was the son of  Juno  and Jupiter, the ruling couple of the Roman pantheon. His full brothers and sisters included Bellona,  Mars , and Juventus. Through Jupiter, Vulcan had many half-siblings as well. Among their number were the messenger god Mercury, Proserpina,  Ceres ’ child famously abducted by  Pluto , and  Minerva , goddess of wisdom and defender of the Roman state.

Vulcan married Venus, the goddess of sex, lust, and love, who provided a beautiful contrast to Vulcan’s notorious unattractiveness. Theirs was a loveless and sexless marriage that produced no children.

Venus and Vulcan Seated on a Bed (c. 1550) Italian engraving.

In the  Aeneid  the Roman poet Virgil claimed that Vulcan was the father of Caeculus, the founder of Praeneste (modern Palestrina) in Italy. No mother was mentioned.

Family Tree

When Juno first looked upon her son Vulcan, she found him to be so ugly that she hurled him from the top of Mt. Etna. The fall injured Vulcan severely, leaving him with the lame leg that would soon become his trademark. In other tellings, Vulcan’s lameness was itself the reason for Juno throwing him from the mountain. His rejection at Juno’s hand left Vulcan with a grudge he would carry the rest of his life.

Raised by nymphs, Vulcan came of age in a cavern beneath the volcanic Mt. Etna on Sicily. As he grew older, he gained the knowledge and skills that would ultimately mold him into a master blacksmith. The caverns provided everything Vulcan needed to learn his trade. He would harvest burning embers from the volcano’s molten core, then heat them in a bellows of his own design. Afterwards, he would heat ores that he had mined from his subterranean surroundings. Vulcan soon discovered that the heated ores yielded excellent crafting materials, such as iron, copper, gold, and silver. Once cooled, these metals could be fashioned into arms, armor, jewelry, and more.

This 15th century Italian engraving depicts a focused Vulcan forging Cupid's wings.

Working in his subterranean workshop, Vulcan mastered the art of the forge. Word spread of the master craftsman, and his services eventually became desired by the gods. Vulcan crafted Jupiter’s scepter, aegis, and even his famous lightning bolts. Among other innovations, he also fashioned Mercury’s winged helm and an army of automatons. He also aided in the birth of his half-sister Minerva, whom Vulcan delivered from Jupiter’s forehead using an axe and tongs.

Vulcan, the God with a Mother Complex

In many ways, Vulcan’s rejection at Juno’s hand was the defining moment in his life. After carrying a grudge against her all his life, Vulcan finally decided to claim his revenge. One day, Vulcan crafted a special chair with a hidden mechanism designed to ensnare the person sitting in it. He made it especially for Juno, who sat in the chair and was immediately trapped in place. Vulcan refused to release his mother until he was promised Venus’s hand in marriage.

Eventually, Jupiter intervened. He alone had the power to compel the other gods and goddesses to action, and he ordered Venus to accept Vulcan’s request. He then sent Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy, to fetch Vulcan. After getting Vulcan drunk, Dionysus carried him home to the gods. Once sober, Vulcan released Juno from the chair and accepted the lovely Venus as his wife.

Vulcan and Venus

The marriage of Vulcan and Venus was not a happy one. Repulsed by her husband’s leg and upset by the circumstances of their union, Venus often sought intimacy with others. One of her most notorious relationships was with Mars, a god admired for his primal powers who also happened to be Vulcan’s brother. When Mercury chanced to see the lovers having intercourse in Vulcan’s bed, he immediately told the blacksmith what he had witnessed. Enraged, Vulcan beat the red hot metals of his forge so viciously that sparks flew from the top of Mt. Etna.

Apollo in the Forge of Vulca n (1630) by Diego Velasquez. In this scene, Apollo (far left) informs Vulcan (second from left) that Venus has been cheating on him. Vulcan’s assistants react with shock and surprise.

Vulcan preferred mind over might, however, and bided his time preparing a trap for the lovers, much as he had done for Juno. He crafted a net from material undetectable to the naked eye, then built snares that fit seamlessly inside it. The Roman poet Ovid described the scene in exquisite detail:

Poor Vulcan soon desir’d to hear no more, He drop’d his hammer, and he shook all o’er: Then courage takes, and full of vengeful ire He heaves the bellows, and blows fierce the fire: From liquid brass, tho’ sure, yet subtile snares He forms, and next a wond’rous net prepares, Drawn with such curious art, so nicely sly, Unseen the mashes cheat the searching eye. Not half so thin their webs the spiders weave, Which the most wary, buzzing prey deceive. These chains, obedient to the touch, he spread In secret foldings o’er the conscious bed. [2]

When Venus and Mars next sought the pleasure of the bed, they found themselves quite stuck. As Vulcan burst in laughing, he called for the others gods and goddesses to come and witness the scene:

The conscious bed again was quickly prest By the fond pair, in lawless raptures blest. Mars wonder’d at his Cytherea’s charms, More fast than ever lock’d within her arms. While Vulcan th’ iv’ry doors unbarr’d with care, Then call’d the Gods to view the sportive pair: The Gods throng’d in, and saw in open day, Where Mars, and beauty’s queen, all naked, lay. [3]

Vulcan and the Roman State Religion

The first recorded instance of Vulcan worship can be traced back to the eighth century BCE, when a shrine was built for him by the Romans. In the third century BCE, the Romans would build a temple for Vulcan on the Campus Martius. The temple did not last long, however, as it was struck by lightning and subsequently destroyed.

The chief festival held in Vulcan’s honor was the  Vulcanalia . Held each year on August 23, the  Vulcanalia  centered on the god’s association with fire. Celebrants lit candles and started bonfires into which they would throw living fish and small animals. These sacrifices were thought to propitiate the god and ward off wildfires during the arid season.

Pop Culture

In  Star Trek , the name Vulcan was given to a race of extraterrestrial humanoids (of whom Spock was the best known). Like the god Vulcan, the Vulcans believed in mind over matter. The aliens would often mute their emotional reactions, and always used logic as their guiding principle.

A statue of Vulcan stands tall in Birmingham, Alabama, celebrating the city's metallurgical history. Completed in 1904, it is the largest cast iron statue in the world.

Vulcan’s influence has also survived in the word “volcano.” The term is used to describe vents in the earth’s crust that allow lava and hot gases to escape.

History Cooperative

Vulcan: The Roman God of Fire and Volcanoes

Vulcan is the Roman god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship. He is often associated with the Greek god Hephaestus and is known for his skill in forging and creating objects, including weapons, armor, and various tools. He is also considered to be the patron deity of blacksmiths and artisans.

Vulcan is depicted as a strong, bearded man working at a forge or anvil, surrounded by flames and tools. The stories and myths surrounding Vulcan vary, but one of the most well-known is his connection to the creation of the armor and weapons of the gods, including Jupiter’s lightning bolts.

Table of Contents

Who Was Vulcan? What Was Vulcan the God Of?

In Greek and Roman mythology , Vulcan was the god of all the essential things in life. He reigned over fire, which was the maker of every steadfast civilization. After early civilizations, ancient Rome and Greece were next in line to reap the benefits of this secret of the gods. This obviously occurred right after Prometheus stole the cheat code to fire straight from the vault of the gods and leaked it to humankind.

READ MORE: Ancient Civilizations Timeline: The Complete List from Aboriginals to Incans

Ever since that, Vulcan was dispatched to regulate the use of fire. His watch not only included making sure that candles burnt at all times, but he was also the god of metalworking and the raging personification of volcanoes.

Both of these were equally distinct in their own ways in Roman mythology.

For instance, blacksmithery was the backbone of every war, and the unpredictability of volcanoes was revered and feared by the Roman people. Hence, Vulcan’s distinguished fame and volatility are well justified in this context.

Vulcan’s Family

Vulcan’s Greek counterpart is actually none other than Hephaestus . As a result, he is the direct offspring of Juno and Jupiter , the king of all Roman gods with insane amounts of stupid libido.

Vulcan’s siblings in Roman mythology included Mars , Bellona, and Juventas. In Greek tales, they are Ares , Enyo, and Hebe, respectively.

Vulcan was also involved in a particular incident revolving around his half-sister Minerva . Turns out, Jupiter had accidentally swallowed Minerva whole while she was still inside the womb. Fearing that Minerva would one day grow up and usurp him just like Jupiter had once done by slaying Cronus , he fell into a midlife mental crisis.

Jupiter asked Vulcan to aid him in this highly depressing situation. The god of fire understood that it was his time to shine, so Vulcan pulled out his tools and split open Jupiter’s head with an axe.

He did it to ultimately pull Minerva’s grown-up body out of Jupiter. Vulcan fell in love with Minerva right after pulling her out. Unfortunately for the god of fire, Minerva was quite serious about her commitment to being a virgin goddess.

Origin of Vulcan

Vulcan was one of Jupiter’s legitimate children. That statement is fascinating, thanks to Jupiter’s raging desire to flex the male fertilizing power on all other beings besides his wife.

Vulcan’s natural life origins actually tie back to another god in an entirely different culture. Though there are many disputes regarding this theory, the etymology matches up as Vulcan’s name sounds suspiciously similar to Velchanos, the Cretan god of the nether and nature. Both of their names converge to form the word “volcano.” 

Other postulations connect his name to Indo-European languages, associating his presence with Sanskrit cognates. However, one thing remains certain: Vulcan made his way into Roman legends and solidified his position through the Roman conquest of Greece. This merged the two cultures as the Romans identified Vulcan as his Greek counterpart of Hephaestus.

Nonetheless, the Roman concept and need for a deity looking over fire, blacksmithing, and volcanoes were much needed in the pages of mythology. This caused Vulcan to snowball further as a Roman god and contribute to his fame in the tales as he provided watch over the most basic amenities.

Vulcan’s Appearance

You’d expect a god of fire to be a hunk of man, to be like Adonis or Helios in appearance, but Vulcan was nowhere near the definition of beauty as both a Roman and a Greek god . Even though he was the local divine being among mankind, Vulcan was described as the ugliest deity among the other Roman gods.

This reflects Hephaestus’s appearance in Greek mythology , where he is the only god described as horrendously ugly. In fact, he was so ugly that Hera even tried disowning him the day he was born.

However, Vulcan was still portrayed as a chiseled and bearded man holding a blacksmith’s hammer to signify his role in metalworks. In other works, he was also seen working the hammer on an anvil, possibly forging a sword or some kind of divine tool. Vulcan is also portrayed gripping a spearhead and pointing it toward the sky to signify his rampant position as the Roman god of fire.

Vulcan and Hephaestus

Like his Roman counterpart, Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire and blacksmithing. His role was to primarily regulate the use of fire and act as the divine craftsman to all the gods and as a symbol of endurance and rage to mankind.

Unfortunately, Hephaestus also shared the same ugliness as Vulcan, which impacted his life more often than not (sometimes directly involving his wife, Aphrodite ). Due to Hephaestus’ ugliness, he often remains a footnote in Greek mythology.

He appears only when there’s some severe drama involved. For instance, when Helios, the sun god , informed Hephaestus of Aphrodite’s affair with Ares , Hephaestus set up a trap to expose them and turn them into laughingstocks of the gods.

While Hephaestus was busy punishing his wife for cheating on him, Vulcan was blowing up mountains simply because he was angry. The critical difference between the two is that Vulcan’s royal descent is actually known as his father is none other than Jupiter. However, Hephaestus’ father seems to be unnamed which makes his backstory all the more depressing.

Regardless, both Vulcan and Hephaestus are masters of their craft. Their premium work in providing high-quality shields and weapons for Greeks and Romans can’t go unnoticed, as they’ve helped win countless wars. Though Vulcan gets the last laugh here as his Roman weapons of war proved effective enough to shut down the Greeks in the end.

Worship of Vulcan

The Roman god of fire has had his fair share of prayers and chants.

Due to the existence of volcanoes and other heated hazards in Roman realms, the destructive nature of fire had to be calmed through intense worship sessions. Shrines dedicated to Vulcan were not uncommon, as the most ancient of these was the Vulcanal at the Capitoline in the Forum Romanum.

The Vulcanal was dedicated to Vulcan to pacify his violent mood swings. In fact, it was built away from villages and out in the open because it was “too dangerous” to be left near human settlements. Such was the volatility of the Roman god of volcanoes, yet another ode to his unpredictability.

Vulcan also had his own festival. It was called the “Vulcanalia,” where the Roman people arranged huge BBQ parties with flaring bonfires. All to honor Vulcan and plead the god not to start any unwanted hazards and avert harmful fires. To be even more particular, the people threw fish and meat into the heat and turned them into a sort of sacrificial fire. A god’s cult indeed.

After the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Vulcan was again honored by having his very own altar erected at Quirinal Hill. People even threw some extra meat into the sacrificial fires to ensure Vulcan wouldn’t throw another temper tantrum.

Ugliest God or the Hottest?

Greek myths and Roman tales might describe Vulcan/Hephaestus as the most horrendous-looking gods.

But some of their actions seem to surpass their own appearance in terms of raw heroics. In fact, they are befitting a god generating and controlling fire and volcanoes. Some of the myths in Roman and Greek mythology provide a deeper perspective on Vulcan and how his skills have benefited all who have availed it. That includes Jupiter himself.

Vulcan’s Gruesome Birth

However, one depressing story revolves around Vulcan and his mother, Juno . When Vulcan was born, Juno was repulsed at claiming a distorted baby as her own. In fact, Vulcan was born limp and had a disfigured face, which was Juno’s last straw. She yeeted the poor god off the summit of Mount Olympus to get rid of him once and for all.

Fortunately, Vulcan ended up in the caring hands of Tethys , the Titaness, daughter of Gaia and Uranus , in charge of the sea. Vulcan ended up on the island of Lemnos, where he spent most of his childhood tinkering with different gadgets and tools. As puberty began to seep in, Vulcan solidified his position as a highly skilled craftsman and a blacksmith on the island.

However, that was also when he realized that he was no mere mortal: he was a god. He realized he was no unknown god either; he was the legitimate son of Jupiter and Juno. Learning of the circumstances of his birth, Vulcan boiled with anger at the thought of his divine parents ditching him for something he had no control over.

Vulcan’s Revenge 

Being a master craftsman, Vulcan forged a flashy throne for Juno, finished with gold.

The throne was actually a trap set by Vulcan for his beloved mother. After a religious ceremony, Vulcan called upon the gods to come to take his gift to Mount Olympus with the sly pretense of plastic honor on his face.

When the throne reached Juno, she was impressed by the work that went into it, for it was clear that the seat wasn’t made by any ordinary blacksmith. Smiling with glee, Juno sat on the throne.

And that was precisely when all hell was let loose. The throne trapped Juno right where she sat, and she couldn’t break free even though she had that goddess-tier endurance. Juno finally figured out that the ensnaring mechanism was made by none other than her son. The same one she had cast off Mount Olympus all those years ago.

As Vulcan rose up to Mount Olympus like embers, he smirked at his mother; revenge was a dish best-served cold. Juno urged him to set her free and apologized for what she did. However, Vulcan was in the mood to make an offer so good that she wouldn’t be able to refuse.

He wanted his immediate marriage to Venus , the most beautiful goddess on Olympus, in exchange for setting Juno free. She accepted this offer, and Vulcan released Juno from her prison throne.

Once it was done, Vulcan married Venus, bringing him up to the level of all the other gods. He was also given the office of being the god of fire and the forge, thanks to his remarkable skill of trapping goddesses through mere tools.

Vulcan and Venus

Short-tempered and quick to draw the trigger, Vulcan’s anger has been the center of attention in many myths in Roman mythology.

One of his most famous ones involves Venus, his wife (an ironic pairing indeed, considering how Venus was the goddess of beauty and Vulcan was thought to be the ugliest god).

Unfortunately, the god of fire was subject to an act of adultery committed by Venus with none other than his brother Mars , the Roman war god .

Venus Cheats

Due to Vulcan’s sheer ugliness (which she used as an excuse), Venus began to look for pleasure in other forms by looking outside their marriage. Her search led to Mars, whose chiseled physique and raging attitude fit the goddess of beauty.

However, their coupling was spied on by the one and only Mercury , the Roman messenger of the gods. Mercury’s Greek equivalent was Hermes .

However, in some myths, it is said that Sol, the Roman personification of the sun, spied upon them. This reflects the Greek myth equivalent of Helios , the Greek sun god , finding about the sinful intercourse of Ares and Aphrodite.

When Mercury caught wind of this extremely serious extramarital affair, he decided to let Vulcan know. At first, Vulcan refused to believe it, but his anger started to swell so much that sparks began to fly off the summit of Mount Etna.

Vulcan’s Vengeance (Part 2)

So, Vulcan decided to make life a living hell for Mars and Venus; they would realize precisely how explosive an ugly god could be if angered. He picked up his hammer and forged a divine net that would trap the cheater right before all the other gods.

The famous Roman poet Ovid captures this scene in his “ Metamorphosis ,” which does a fantastic job of expressing how angry the ugly god had actually become after hearing the news of his wife’s affair.

“ Poor Vulcan soon desir’d to hear no more,

He drop’d his hammer, and he shook all o’er:

Then courage takes, and full of vengeful ire

He heaves the bellows, and blows fierce the fire:

From liquid brass, tho’ sure, yet subtle snares

He forms, and next a wond’rous net prepares,

Drawn with such curious art, so nicely sly,

Unseen the mashes cheat the searching eye.

Not half so thin their webs the spiders weave,

Which the most wary, buzzing prey deceive.

These chains, obedient to the touch, he spread

In secret foldings o’er the conscious bed.”

What ensued was the eventual capture of Venus and Mars in the net. As the other gods came out one by one to see Vulcan’s female companion caught red-handed in the act, the end was nigh.

Seeing Venus suffer from such public humiliation only brought a smile to Vulcan’s face as he recalled the pain she had caused him and the fury that followed.

Vulcan, Prometheus, and Pandora

The theft of fire.

The next arc of Vulcan’s importance as a god begins with theft.

The privileges of fire were restricted only to the gods. Its vitalizing traits were not to be redeemed by the mortals, and the Olympian gods guarded this rule with an iron fist.

However, one specific Titan named Prometheus thought otherwise.

Prometheus was the Titan fire god, and from his heavenly abode, he saw how greatly human beings were suffering from the lack of fire. After all, domestic fire was essential for cooking, heat, and, most importantly, survival. Having developed sympathy for mankind, Prometheus decided to defy Jupiter and trick him into gifting humanity fire.

This action put him on the list of the most famed trickster gods in all mythology.

As human beings cherished the gift of fire, Jupiter was enraged. He exiled Prometheus and tied him to a rock where gulls would pick at his liver for all eternity.

As a countermeasure to the gift, Jupiter decided to nullify the vitalizing effects of fire on Earth.

Vulcan Creates Pandora

Jupiter decided to punish humanity for the theft of fire as well. As a result, he turned to Vulcan to craft something that would plague them for days to come.

Vulcan pitched the idea of creating a foolish woman that would start a chain reaction of releasing pure evil into the world of men. Jupiter loved how it sounded, so he approved the notion, and Vulcan started crafting a woman from scratch using clay.

This woman was none other than Pandora. Jupiter ended up sending Pandora to Earth with a box that contained all sorts of evil: plague, hate, envy, you name it. Pandora opened this box due to her foolishness and curiosity, unleashing pure raw villainy upon the realms of men. Vulcan’s creation worked just fine. All this because of the fact that mankind stole fire.

READ MORE: Pandora’s Box: The Myth Behind the Popular Idiom

Vulcan’s Craftsmanship

Vulcan’s skills as a forger and a blacksmith can’t be underestimated. After all, he prefers quality over quantity, and his trademark is famed in Olympus and on Earth.

Thanks to his time in Lemnos, Vulcan developed his skills as a blacksmith to the maximum and became a master of his craft. As a result, his services were redeemed by all the other gods.

It is said that Vulcan had a workstation right in the center of Mount Etna. If anything angered Vulcan (for example, Venus cheating on him), he would vent out all his rage on a piece of metal. This would make the mountain erupt every time it happened.

Vulcan is also said to have created thrones for all the other deities on Mount Olympus, as he never compromised quality.

Another myth links Vulcan to crafting the winged helmet that Mercury wears. Mercury’s helmet is a well-known symbol of agility and heavenly velocity.

However, the most famous of Vulcan’s creations are the lightning bolts that Jupiter uses to deliver absolution. The lightning bolts of Jupiter are essential objects in ancient lore as it has been (on many occasions) the bringer of justice/injustice depending on how aroused the king of gods was on that particular day.

Pompeii and Vulcan

The story of an entire city getting eradicated by an eruption and the subsequent volcanic ash is no stranger to the pages of history.

The bustling city of Pompeii was tragically buried in ash and dust following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Though a total of 1,000 people is said to have died in the tragedy, the exact numbers are not really known. However, in letters dispatched by Pliny the Younger, he puts forward some interesting details that tie the Vesuvius eruption to Vulcan.

The eruption of Vesuvius took place right after the day of the Vulcanalia festival. Interestingly, the volcano itself began to stir on the day of the Vulcanalia, further blurring the border of history and mythology.

Regardless, Vulcan’s rage and Vesuvius’ immediate eruption caused hundreds of innocent deaths and forever marked mother nature’s might upon the pages of history.

How Vulcan Lives On  

The name “Vulcan” might consist of two syllables. Still, the name has been popularized amidst stories and epics of thousands of words .

Vulcan has appeared in quite a lot of places across history. Thanks to his fiery personality, he makes a more imposing presence than his Greek equivalent. From popular culture to being immortalized through statues, this badass blacksmith is no stranger to fame.

For instance, the famous TV franchise “ Star Trek ” features the planet “Vulcan.” This has leaked onto other franchises as well, where other fantastical worlds carry his namesake.

The largest cast iron statue is one portraying Vulcan, located in Birmingham, Alabama. This merely solidifies his popularity amongst the North American population, far away from the realms of Rome .

Vulcan is also a character in the popular video game “ SMITE ” by Hi-Rez Studios. Vulcan is also reimagined in the world of “ Warhammer 40,000 ” as Vulkan. The latter also revolves around the concept of volcanoes.

Vulcan’s legacy lives on as his name continues to branch out more and more. Undoubtedly, his impact on modernity surpasses any mythological primordial being.

Vulcan is a deity born imperfect, looking to pursue perfection through his craft. With a story like no other, Vulcan is a living example of how one’s appearance doesn’t decide one’s future.

https://www.learnreligions.com/the-roman-vulcanalia-festival-2561471

Pliny the Younger Letters III, 5.

Aulus Gellius Noctes Atticae XII 23, 2: “Maiam Volcani”.

Thomaidis, Konstantinos; Troll, Valentin R.; Deegan, Frances M.; Freda, Carmela; Corsaro, Rosa A.; Behncke, Boris; Rafailidis, Savvas (2021). “A message from the ‘underground forge of the gods’: history and current eruptions at Mt Etna” . Geology Today.

“Hephaestus and Aphrodite” . theoi.com/Olympios/HephaistosLoves.html#aphrodite. Retrieved December 4, 2020.

How to Cite this Article

There are three different ways you can cite this article.

1. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper , use:

<a href=" https://historycooperative.org/vulcan/ ">Vulcan: The Roman God of Fire and Volcanoes</a>

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• God of fire member of a Star Trek fictional race

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Before giving away the correct answer, here are some more hints and tips for you to guess the solution on your own!

1. The first letter of the answer is: V

2. the last letter of the answer is: n, 3. there are 2 vowels in the hidden word:.

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• To follow or chase after
• Year of __ canine Chinese zodiac sign
• To set a ship afloat to release a rocket
• Latin term for Queen the R on royals signature
• Shackles with links
• Indulging in more than ones fair share
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• Earliest-known pyramid
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• The son of a sovereign or king
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If you already solved this clue and are looking for other clues from the same puzzle then head over to CodyCross Sports Group 143 Puzzle 1 Answers .

Greek Myth & Science Fiction

Replacing magic with science.

• Works Cited Page

One of the best examples of greek mythology being retold through science fiction. From the original series through Star Trek Enterprise we see stories and plot lines that clearly were inspired by Greek Myth. Star Trek’s basis has many similarities to The Odyssey. In Star Trek we always see an intelligent ,strong, and charismatic leader struggling to keep their crew together as they sail through the depths of space fighting all sorts of aliens and monsters along the way.  Just like the Odyssey the crew rarely goes anywhere without an encounter that gets them into conflict.

Before looking at specific examples within the various series there are some notable Greek/Roman Mythology references within Star Trek Mythology that hold true for all of the series. The Vulcans and the Romulans are modern representations of multiple myths.

Vulcans vs. Hephaestus 

Gene Roddenberry uses the Vulcans in a very interesting way. Many (if not most) trekkies believe that Vulcans were named after a hypothetical planet that was theorized to exist orbiting between Mercury and the Sun. Although this would make sense I do not believe this is true and will make the case that they really represent the God.

Both the race of aliens Vulcan and their home world Vulcan (both are named the same) are representations of Hephaestus or the roman equivalent of Vulcan. To avoid confusion I will refer to the  god as Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the Greek God of technology, fire, volcanoes, and metallurgy. Vulcan the planet (Star Trek) has a surface with many volcanoes and lava fields which seems to be a clear reference to the god rather than the theoretical planet. The Vulcan race is known for their logic and technology. Hephaestus designed the winged sandals and helmet for hermes. Vulcans on the other hand developed advanced warp drives to travel through the cosmos.

Another indication that Vulcans do indeed represent the God is their physiology. In the episode Obsession (TOS) Spock talks about his blood. Vulcan blood has hemoglobin based on copper called hemocyanin. Copper is a metal that would most certainly fall within the realm of Hephaestus because he is the god of metals.

Romulus and Remus : Romulans and Vulcans, the founding of  an empire

Romulus and Remus are the twin brothers that are the focus of the Rome creation myth. In the myth Remus and Romulus are raised by a wolf and go on to found the Roman empire. Remus and Romulus disagree on the location for this new empire. They settle the dispute through augury . Both Romulus and Remus believe that the results back their location. The dispute elevates and gets physical and Romulus ends up killing Remus. After Remus’s death Romulus goes on to found Rome.

What does this have to do with Star Trek?

Romulans and Vulcans share a common ancestry. Long ago Romulans and Vulcans both lived on the Vulcan planet (this is why they look so similar) and were one race. This is a very clever way to make two independent species represent the two twin brothers.

A point in Vulcan hero known as the Time of Awakening. Vulcans began to surpress emotions with logic and became more peaceful. At this point a group of Vulcans who disagree with the new changes go to form their own colony. These people become the Romulans who go on to conlonize most of the planets in that area. Including  two planets Romulus and   Remus .  They begin to form the Romulan empire which represents the Roman empire.

Star Trek:  The Original Series

James T. Kirk (William Shatner)

Both Odysseus and Kirk are prideful men. Strong leaders that are feared but in several cases

both men exhibit excessive pride that doesn’t only endanger themselves but also their crew

Examples of Greek Myth in the Orignal Series…

Who Mourns For Adonias? (Season 2 episode #33)

What happens?

In this episode the crew is traveling  minding their own business when suddenly the ship is seized by a strange powerful being. The being is Apollo and brings most of the crew down to Mount Olympus.  Apollo also makes it clear that Spock is not welcome because of his pointy ears and resemblance to Pan (God of the Wild). Apollo explains that the Gods visited earth once before but people lost faith and they felt they had to leave earth.

Memorable Moments

Who Mourns For Adonias? Video Clip

This Side Of Paradise (Season 1 episode #24)

The Lotus Eaters

The crew investigates Omicron Ceti III a planet which has been settled by  colonists.  The crew knows that the planet has been exposed to  Berthold Rays  a deadly form of radiation.  Once arriving on the planet the crew learns that   everyone is actually in perfect health but seem to act strangely.  The crew is   exposed to spores which we later learn are the cause for the colonists survival.     The spores have a healing element to them but also cause the infected to have no wants or needs. After the crew is infected no one wants to return to the ship.   Spores eventually make it to    the ship and infect everyone on board besides  Captain Kirk.  As a result everyone  on board beams down to Omicron Ceti III and leave Captain Kirk marooned aboard  the enterprise.

Even Spock’s Vulcan cold logic seems to be compromised after being exposed to this plant.

This Side Of Paradise Video Clip

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5 thoughts on “ star trek ”.

Interesting. I am not much of a Greek history buff, but am a bit of a science fiction fan. I have never thought of the connection the two might share. Thanks for the post.

there is also a species called Nausicaans and a character in the odyssey named Nausicaa

this is brilliant I am a history buff and always wondered if the Vulcans and Romulans where a part of Greek mythology thanks for the verification.

[…] In Star Trek mythology, Vulcans came from a planet, Vulcan, which was full of volcanoes. Vulcans were known for being skilled with crafting and creating new technology. One writer touches upon the subject very nicely (here). […]

could the god “cronos” and the Klingon homeworld “kronos” be connected too?

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Constable Odo's 10 Best Star Trek: DS9 Episodes

• Odo's best DS9 episodes focus on criminal investigations, his origins, and ideological clashes with Changeling Founders.
• Odo's relationships with Quark and Kira define many episodes, showcasing his softer side and developing romantic connections.
• Odo's characterization shines in episodes like "The Begotten" and "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" with emotional depth.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 's best episodes about Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois) focus on his criminal investigations, the search for his origins, and his ideological clash with the Changeling Founders. Played by acclaimed actor Rene Auberjonois, Odo's best episodes of DS9 are characterized by some incredible acting, delivered from underneath heavy layers of prosthetics . Across seven seasons, the beloved Star Trek: DS9 character had to grapple with prejudice, unrequited love, and the sins of his past in episodes that showcased the thematic heft of the Star Trek: The Next Generation spinoff.

Odo's relationships with Quark (Armin Shimerman) and Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) also define many of the Constable's best Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes . As DS9's Chief of Security, Odo was the perfect foil for the Ferengi bartender, but Quark and Odo's rivalry had an undercurrent of mutual respect that bordered on affection . Odo also had a close friendship with Kira, formed by a fateful moment from years earlier. Odo and Kira's friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship, and that progression can be seen in some of the Constable's best DS9 episodes.

Every Star Trek: DS9 Episode Directed By Rene Auberjonois

Star trek: ds9 season 1, episode 17, "the forsaken", teleplay by don carlos dunaway & michael piller, story by jim trombetta.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 1, episode 17, "The Forsaken" is one of the more successful DS9 and Star Trek: The Next Generation crossover episodes . The episode paired up the unlikely duo of Constable Odo and Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) for a two-hander that revealed the insecurities of both characters. Odo's relationship with Lwaxana allowed DS9 's gruff Chief of Security to show his softer and more vulnerable side , improving the character as a result.

In the episode, the incorrigible Lwaxana Troi falls in love with Odo, and tries to woo the irascible Constable. Lwaxana's attempts are hindered by an alien intelligence that saps Deep Space Nine's power, stranding her in a lift with Odo. "The Forsaken" was one of Rene Auberjonois' favorite episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . Discussing the episode in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion , Auberjonois stated that:

" It helped to establish Odo and give him more dimension than he'd had up to that point "

Star Trek: DS9, Season 7, Episode 22, "Tacking into the Wind"

Written by ronald d. moore.

"Tacking into the Wind" is one of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 's best Worf episodes , as it primarily focuses on his attempts to bring Chancellor Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) into line. However, there's also some very strong and emotional material for Odo and Kira as the morphogenic virus continues to ravage the Changeling's system . Kira, Odo, and Garak (Andrew Robinson) are sent on a dangerous mission to retrieve information about a devastating Breen weapon.

By infecting Odo, Section 31 effectively prove the Founders' belief that the "Solids" are barbaric and cruel.

Odo's determination to continue the mission despite his worsening health is heartbreaking. However, it speaks to the strength of Odo's character that he never lets Section 31's betrayal cloud his feelings about the "Solids". By infecting Odo, Section 31 effectively prove the Founders' belief that the "Solids" are barbaric and cruel , but despite the cruelty meted out to him by Section 31, Odo knows that it's wrong to reduce all of Starfleet to the actions of some rogue operatives.

Section 31s 5 Worst Crimes During Star Trek DS9s Dominion War

Star trek: ds9, season 7, episode 6, "treachery, faith and the great river", teleplay by david weddle & bradley thompson, story by philip kim.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , season 7, episode 6, "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" explores Odo's status as a god . Odo is shocked to discover that Weyoun ( Jeffrey Combs ) wishes to defect from the Dominion to the Federation. However, the Dominion and the Cardassians are determined that Odo and Weyoun 6 never return to DS9.

What follows is an exciting prisoner transport thriller that also tackles some big themes around religious belief. "Treachery, Faith and the Great River" showcases Odo's courage under fire , as he tries every trick in the book to avoid the combined forces of the Cardassians and the Jem'Hadar. Weyoun 6 eventually sacrifices his life to save Odo in the episode's heartbreaking climax, forcing the Changeling to confront how his people have turned themselves into deities.

Star Trek: DS9, Season 3, Episode 14, "Heart of Stone"

Written by ira steven behr & robert hewitt wolfe.

For the majority of "Heart of Stone", Odo believes that Kira has become trapped in an expanding silicon rock formation. The more the formation increases in size, the more it consumes Kira, slowly crushing her to death. Tragically, Odo realizes that he's not trying to save the real Kira when the Major professes her love for him , revealing that it's an elaborate ruse by the Female Changeling (Salome Jens).

"Heart of Stone" is a great Odo episode because the impossible situation forces him to confront, and finally vocalize, his feelings for Kira . That journey is fascinating to watch, and Rene Auberjonois' performance of Odo, recognizing that he's been duped, is incredible. Veering from pragmatism about how Kira sees him as a friend to fury at the Female Changeling's plan, it's exactly the sort of multi-faceted performance that audiences have come to expect from Rene Auberjonois at this point in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .

Nana Visitor wasn't a fan of the rock prop in "Heart of Stone", telling the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion that it made her look " like a big old hot fudge sundae ".

DS9's 7 Best Love Stories & Romances Ranked

Star trek: ds9, season 2, episode 12, "the alternate", teleplay by bill dial, story by jim trombetti and bill dial.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 12, "The Alternate" is an early episode that sheds more light on Odo's origins. It introduces the character of Dr. Mora Pol (James Sloyan), the Bajoran scientist who first discovered Odo in his liquid form . Dr. Mora believes that he's found clues as to where Odo originated from, but their research mission is cut short when the away team are stricken by some noxious gas, triggered by the removal of an ancient monument. The gas also has an adverse effect on Odo, turning him into a terrifying monster.

[Odo] comes to realize that this problematic scientist is actually the closest thing he's ever had to a father figure.

"The Alternate" is a brilliant take on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde , that gives Odo actor Rene Auberjonois some challenging material to perform. The scenes between Odo and Mora are incredibly powerful, as the Changeling comes to realize that this problematic scientist is actually the closest thing he's ever had to a father figure. The scene in which Odo implies that he doesn't trust Mora while becoming the monster is an incredible moment .

Star Trek: DS9, Season 6, Episode 20, "His Way"

Written by ira steven behr & hans beimler.

When Odo hears that holographic lounge singer Vic Fontaine (James Darren) gave Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) some helpful pointers on love, he decides to seek the singer's advice about Kira. Fontaine helps to bring Odo out of his shell, turning him into a suave pianist, while also making him more at ease socially. Eventually, Vic orchestrates a first date for Kira and Odo, albeit under false pretenses .

"His Way" was the first appearance of Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .

By showing a completely new side of Odo in "His Way", Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr and writer Hans Beimler make this one of the character's best episodes. The transition from the drab brown Bajoran security uniform into a sharp tuxedo is a hugely positive one for Odo , not least because it finally allows Kira to see just how charismatic and charming he can actually be.

Nana Visitor and Rene Auberjonois never wanted Kira and Odo to become a couple in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , preferring their bond to be purely platonic.

Star Trek: DS9, Season 5, Episode 12, "The Begotten"

Written by rené echevarria.

For the first half of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , Odo is turned into a "Solid" . It's fascinating to see how Odo contends with the frailty of a humanoid body, but it's equally fascinating to see how this plot thread is resolved. After he buys an ailing Changeling infant from Quark, Odo teams up with Doctors Bashir and Maura to cure the sick child and teach it to shapeshift. Odo becomes a doting father, and it's a strong sequel to "The Alternate", as he seeks to avoid the mistakes made by his own surrogate father.

Tragically, the infant Changeling in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is too sick to live, but it does give Odo a parting gift. By bonding with the infant, Odo regains his shapeshifting abilities, giving him a renewed sense of purpose. It's a touching metaphor for parenthood that finally allows Odo and Mora Pol to reconcile their differences. "The Begotten" is a standout episode for Rene Auberjonois in a strong season for the character of Odo .

Star Trek: DS9, Season 5, Episode 9, "The Ascent"

"The Ascent" is the best Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode about Quark and Odo's antagonistic relationship. Transporting Quark to testify against the Orion Syndicate, Odo's runabout explodes and strands the two old enemies on a barren planet. Watching Odo and Quark work together to survive is an absolute joy , and Rene Auberjonois gets some fine opportunities to deploy his dry wit. The scene in which Odo requests his ashes be tossed into his bucket and launched into the Gamma Quadrant is darkly funny.

The final scene of "The Ascent" is one of the best moments, as it sees Odo and Quark come closer than ever to telling each other how they feel. While they both say they hate each other, it's very clear from their laughter that the two Star Trek: Deep Space Nine characters love each other. "The Ascent" is also a great Odo episode because it shows a new side to him, as he has to deal with the fragility of his humanoid body , succumbing to the cold and breaking his leg.

Star Trek: DS9, Season 5, Episode 8 "Things Past"

Written by michael taylor.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5 has two classic Odo episodes in a row, as "The Ascent" is preceded by "Things Past". The episode sends Odo, Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) and Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) back in time to when DS9 was Terok Nor . They're forced to live through a brutal tragedy from Odo's past, when he accidentally condemned three Bajoran men to death .

Rene Auberjonois is excellent as a repentant Odo, who is realizing with gut-churning inevitability what's about to happen. The final scene, in which Odo and Kira discuss his culpability in the execution is a quietly devastating exchange between the two friends. "Things Past" is, therefore, a spiritual sequel to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Necessary Evil" , which revealed how Odo and Kira first met.

Star Trek: DS9, Season 2, Episode 8, "Necessary Evil"

Written by peter allan fields.

"Necessary Evil" is the best Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode about Odo , because it firmly establishes the Constable's moral code. While investigating the attempted murder of Quark, Odo discovers that the crime is linked to his first case. Through flashbacks, "Necessary Evil" reveals how Odo came to Terok Nor, employed by Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo) as a security officer. Tasked with investigating the murder of a Bajoran collaborator, Odo was unable to close the case, letting the killer walk free.

The killer is revealed to be Major Kira Nerys, and in one of the most complicated scenes in all of Star Trek , Odo and Kira contend with this new information. It's a crucial episode in Odo's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine story. Not only does it establish his origins as Chief of Security, it also reveals the depth of Odo's relationship with Kira, and how it's strong enough to weather the storm of her past crimes.

All episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are available to stream on Paramount

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also known as DS9, is the fourth series in the long-running Sci-Fi franchise, Star Trek. DS9 was created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, and stars Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, and Cirroc Lofton. This particular series follows a group of individuals in a space station near a planet called Bajor.

Cast Cirroc Lofton, Rene Auberjonois, Nicole de Boer, Michael Dorn, Nana Visitor, Avery Brooks, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig

Release Date January 3, 1993

Network CBS

Streaming Service(s) Paramount+

Showrunner Ira Steven Behr, Michael Piller

Screen Rant

Thor is marvel's new god of fire, whether he knows it or not.

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10 Scenes That Most Define Thor's MCU Story

Original green power ranger returns in touching tribute to tommy oliver & jason david frank, robin's superhero 'sister' officially returns to official dc continuity.

Warning! Spoilers for  Thor #23  ahead!

The Mighty Thor holds many titles in Marvel Comics, among them All-Father, God of Thunder and Avenger, but he may be adding a new moniker to the list: God of Fire. Though he has not officially been named such, his increasing dependance on flames and his connection to the fiery Phoenix Force could signal a new direction for the Asgardian hero.

Marvel’s “God of Hammers” arc has concluded and Thor is yet again on the precipice of change. These past few years have been demanding for the Asgardian Avenger in many ways, but the primary trial has been his relationship with Mjolnir. Once his faithful weapon, the powerful artifact crafted a body out of lighting and declared itself God of Hammers. Thor has found a way to finally quell the sentient storm, but in doing so displays what could become a new level of power altogether. 

Related: Evil Thor Teams Up With Dark Phoenix To Take On Avengers  

Written by Donny Cates with art by Nic Klein and Matt Wilson, Thor #23 opens on a younger Thor training with Mjolnir while his father gives guidance from the sidelines. It’s a tender moment that makes Odin’s decision to sacrifice his portion of the Odin-Force to Thor so much more impactful in hindsight. Now bolstered with the “Thor-Force” and wielding the Bifrost Blade, Thor transports Mjolnir to the heart of Nidavellir, the star forge, and here begins the unmaking of mighty Mjolnir. “ It’s the heat of a billion suns ,” he warns the wayward warhammer. “ Unraveling everything that you are. Boiling the enchantments that my father gave to you .” But something about the display indicates that Thor might actually be manipulating that heat directly, and if so, it could mean that he’s about to become the god of another element entirely.

It’s completely within reason that Thor could be manifesting some pyrokinesis, especially with the recent revelation that his birth mother may not be Gaea the Earth goddess, but the Phoenix Force itself, which took a human host in order to form Midgard’s very first Avengers team. Odin was among those gathered, and he seemed to kindle a special connection with the Phoenix. It wasn’t long before the two became seasonal lovers, casting no small amount of reasonable doubt on Thor’s parentage. 

There is another, slightly headier way that this change could be justified. When young Thor asks his father if he can die, Odin replies that death as Asgardians can experience it would only elevate him to “ what I have always been…a legend .” This opens a fascinating line of questioning: could Asgard and its inhabitants be mythic even in the Marvel Universe? Because if so, that would mean their histories, personalities, and properties could change as more stories about them are told. 

The image of the God of Thunder crushing the instrument with which he calls on that element by commanding the furor of another is exactly the kind of thing that would reshape his legend. The Asgardian King is already leagues more powerful than he has ever been before, but Marvel’s writers seem determined to keep pushing his limits. And should the Phoenix Force’s claim prove veridical, Thor may have a new path to blaze as the God of Flame. 

Next: Miles Morales Becomes Thor in Marvel's Newest Alternate Universe

The Greek gods were an immortal alien species , native to Pollux IV in the Beta Geminorum system , who possessed powerful psychokinetic abilities.

• 2 Physiology
• 3 Greek gods
• 4.1 Background information
• 4.2 Apocrypha
• 4.3 External links

Self described as " a gallant band of travelers, " this species visited the Mediterranean region of ancient Earth around 2700 BC . Their psychokinetic abilities made these beings appear god -like to the simple shepherds and tribesmen of early Greece , and so these beings were worshiped as the Greek gods as they resided on Mount Olympus , forming the basis for Greek mythology . ( TOS : " Who Mourns for Adonais? ")

Songs of praise to the Greek gods and accounts of their deeds were included in the Homeric Hymns . ( TNG : " Darmok ")

Humanity gradually outgrew the need of these gods until they were only memories. Unable to survive as a memory, these space travelers departed Earth and returned home to Pollux IV. There, they found it an empty place without worshipers , but they lacked the strength to leave. So they waited. Eventually, all of the gods save Apollo lost hope, and departed their corporeal existence. They " spread themselves upon the wings of the wind … thinner, and thinner, until only the wind remained. "

Apollo meets Carolyn

In 2267 , the USS Enterprise encountered the species on Pollux IV, where Apollo remained. During this encounter, Apollo attempted to force the crew of the Enterprise to worship them once again, and took Carolyn Palamas as his queen , promising to make her a goddess .

This, unfortunately for Apollo, was a state of affairs unacceptable to men. Captain James T. Kirk and his landing party schemed continuously; between them, and members of the crew still in orbit , they were eventually able to overcome Apollo, and destroy the source of his power. With his temple gone and his power broken, Apollo spread himself upon the wind, imploring his fellow gods to take him, and vanished. ( TOS : " Who Mourns for Adonais? ")

The memory of the Greek gods, namely Pan , lived on with the Platonians , another alien species that visited Earth during the tail end of the Greek civilization. This was discovered, again, by the crew of the USS Enterprise , during their visit to Platonius in late 2268 . ( TOS : " Plato's Stepchildren ")

Demonstrating his ability to grow in size

As represented by Doctor Leonard McCoy 's tricorder scan of Apollo's corporeal form, who for all intents and purposes appeared Human , registered as a normal humanoid , with just a few variations. Most notable was that he possessed an extra organ in his chest . This organ allowed him to generate and control energy by channeling it through his body and direct it by acts of will. This organ allowed the Greek god to tap a powerful field of energy , generated within his temple . However, scans from Enterprise were unable to identify his presence.

Though possessing great power, these Greek gods were weakened after having overextended their powers, requiring a brief period of rest during which their vitality was restored. As their form of sustenance, these gods thrived on love , admiration, worship , in much the same way Humans needed food to survive. After time without this needed sustenance they gave up their corporeal existance. Though immortal, these gods did not die, they simply reached " a point of no return, " and " returned to the cosmos on the wings of the wind. "

Demonstrating his ability to release energy-bolts into space

As a corporeal, Apollo's abilities included that of altering his physical own form as well as the forms of material objects in his vicinity.

He could hurl lightning -like energy bolts, interfere with Federation technology (i.e. disable the ship's " transportation device ", and hand phasers , as well as jam communication frequencies), transform Starfleet uniforms into ancient Greek clothing by simply waving his hand, transport himself and others from place to place, and alter the local weather patterns.

Though never fully demonstrated, Apollo claimed he could wipe out a man with a gesture, and bring him back again just as easily.

The Greek god's senses extended great distances; while on the surface of his world, Apollo was able to sense happenings on the bridge of the Enterprise , and project his image and voice into her equipment for the purpose of conversation.

Apollo's ghostly hand

Perhaps his most tasking feat was the generation of a powerful field of energy that appeared as an enormous, translucent, green hand , capable of holding a Constitution -class in place, and resisted most attempts to break and disrupt it. Though conventional in composition, it operated on unusual wavelengths, generated by Apollo. This field was powerful enough to stop the ship, and impulse engines could not break the ship free.

In addition to merely holding the ship, Apollo could exert pressure beyond the ship's tolerance, over 1,000 GSC of external pressure, threatening the structural integrity of the ship. In addition to his demonstration, he explained that once everyone was off the ship he would crush it's empty hull.

Attempts to push it away with the tractor beam , and to reverse its polarity were equally unsuccessful in disrupting it. The force field was eventually pierced with powerful bursts of M-rays on carefully calculated wavelengths. Although this did not destroy the field, it enabled the Enterprise to fire her phasers through it.

Apollo returns to the cosmos to join his brethren

After the temple was destroyed, Apollo demonstrated that he still possessed some intrinsic abilities when he expanded his corporeal form. However, from his reaction to the temple's destruction, he expended the last of his stored energy, before he himself gave up his corporeal existence. ( TOS : " Who Mourns for Adonais? ")

• Aphrodite , goddess of love, beauty, and sexual desire
• Apollo , god of music and medicine
• Artemis , goddess of hunting and Apollo's beloved sister
• Asclepius , god of medicine and healing
• Athena , goddess of wisdom
• Atlas , a Titan
• Hephaestus , god of fire and the forge
• Hera , queen of the gods
• Hermes , messenger of the gods
• Pan , god of the shepherds
• Persephone , daughter of Zeus
• Zeus , king of the gods; father of Apollo and Artemis

Background information

The Star Trek Encyclopedia , 4th ed., vol. 1, p. 125 dated the visitation of the Greek gods to around the year 3000 BC.

It is never revealed how long Apollo and the other Greek gods remained on Earth, with Apollo stating only that "it has been five thousand years". The earliest references to Greek mythology historically date from around 900BC, which would have been well after when Apollo states the Greek gods had visited Earth. Dialogue from Captain Kirk speculates that Apollo and his companions were the "basis" for Greek mythology , implying that there was a difference between the time the Greek gods actually lived on Earth and the eventual myths and legends which developed about them over a thousand years later.

StarTrek.com has theorized that the Olympian gods may have also visited Vulcan and Romulus , centuries earlier before coming to Earth, to explain how words like Vulcan, Romulus, Remus , Centurion and Senate , etc. came to be used by all three races. StarTrek.com also went on to speculate that the Gods may have been responsible for separating the Vulcan and Romulan races. [1] (X)

In the comic book What Fools These Mortals Be , the crew of the USS Enterprise encounter a planetoid resembling ancient Greece that is ruled by the Greek gods. The gods subject the landing party to various events from The Odyssey , including encounters with the cyclops, sirens, Aeolus, Scylla and Charybdis. The landing party manage to embarrass Zeus causing the gods to leave the planet.

In the Star Trek: New Frontier novels Being Human and Gods Above , it is revealed that the Greek gods were the same beings as the Egyptian and Norse gods, just known under different names. Despite Apollo's belief that they had all perished, they did in fact survive. The gods are revealed to be energy beings assuming a humanoid form, who feed on the worship of their followers. Apollo's energy supply in the temple had been limited, which is why he was so desperate for the Enterprise crew to worship him. The gods offered ambrosia to anyone who would worship them and attacked those who didn't, but were eventually defeated and sealed in another dimension through the combined efforts of Old Father and Mark McHenry, a descendant of Apollo.

External links

• Beings at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Greek god at Wikipedia
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)
• 3 Jamaharon