Hephaestus
by CTCWeb Editors
Associated Rituals
An important part of the nature of a god or goddess may be discerned from the rituals performed for the favor of that god or goddess. Students should look at the rituals performed in favor of Hephaestus. Students will also want to look at where the rituals are performed, who performs the rituals and whether the societies that include these rituals in their religious practices worship only Hephaestus or Hephaestus along with other gods and goddesses.
Below are textual examples of ritual sacrifices to Hephaestus and rituals that are part of the festivals for Hephaestus.
Textual
Aristophanes, Plutus line 660 - During the purification of Plutus, Cario says that they consecrated “wafers and the various offerings” on an altar and them offered a “cake of wheaten-meal” Hephaestus.
Aristotle, Constitution of the Athenians, 54.7 - The Yearly Sacrificial Officers conduct sacrifices and manage the four-yearly festivals at Athens except for the Panathenia. Later a festival in honor of Hephaestus was added to the yearly festivals that established in the archonship of Cephisophon.
Herodotus 2.151.1 - In Egypt Hephaestus is known as Ptah and this passage deals with the tradition of using a helmet to pour libations to Hephaestus. the pouring of libations was performed by kings. Herodotus 8.98.2 - Riders carry torches and pass them from one to the next in the torch race held in honor of Hephaestus.
Plato, Philebus 61c - Protarchus and Socrates are going to mix knowledge and pleasure and have Dionysos and Hephaestus preside over the mixing as if Protarchus and Socrates were mixing wine to pour libations.
Pseudo-Xenophon, Constitution of the Athenians, 3.4 - The festival held in honor of Hephaestus at Athens is called the “Hephaestia.” Plays were performed at the festival as indicated by Pseudo-Xenophon’s mentioning of the magistrates elected to settle disputes for chorus leaders.
