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Hymn to Hephaestus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Edited by
Michael Gagarin  and
Paul Woodruff
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Summary

This short piece is preserved with a group of hymns attributed to Homer, but most probably date from the seventh or sixth centuries. Hephaestus is the smith-god; in the Iliad he forges Achilles' elaborate new armor.

Sing, Muse with clear voice, of Hephaestus, famed for inventiveness,

who together with gray-eyed Athena taught glorious crafts (erga)

to mortals on earth. In earlier times they lived

in caves on mountains like wild beasts,

but now they have learned crafts because of Hephaestus, famed for skill

and thus all year long they pass their lives

easily, without care in their own houses.

Look favorably on me, Hephaestus, and grant me aretē and prosperity.

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Information
Early Greek Political Thought from Homer to the Sophists , pp. 35
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1995

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