Vulcan

Stories of Gods and Heroes

Hercules performs the Twelve Labors, demonstrating immense strength and endurance.

Introduction

Divine smith and architect; builds the houses of the gods and fashions their equipment.

Roman Divinities

Referenced under the name Mulciber, the Latin name for Vulcan.

Phaëton

Crafted the sun chariot and decorated the palace walls with representations of earth, sea, and skies.

Cadmus—The Myrmidons

Presents Harmonia with a necklace of surpassing brilliancy at her wedding.

Monsters

Mentioned in the context of the Pygmies, who attack him while he sleeps; he wraps them in his lion's skin and carries them to Eurystheus.

Giants, Sphinx, Pegasus and Chimaera, Centaurs, Griffin, and Pygmies

Taught by Minerva to forge thunderbolts for Jupiter with the help of the Cyclopes.

The Pygmies

Hercules is attacked by the Pygmies while asleep; he awakens, laughs, wraps some in his lion's skin, and carries them to Eurystheus.

The Golden Fleece—Medea

Among the band of heroes who joined Jason's expedition.

The Golden Fleece

One of the Argonauts who leaves the expedition at Mysia in search of Hylas.

XIX: Hercules—Hebe and Ganymede

Central figure of the chapter; performs the Twelve Labors, descends to Hades, and is ultimately deified.

Hercules

Central figure; son of Jupiter and Alcmena; performs the Twelve Labors; slays Antaeus and Cacus; descends to Hades; dies by poison and is deified.

Theseus

Mentioned as a model for Theseus; later liberates Theseus from the underworld.

XXIII: Achelous and Hercules—Admetus and Alcestis—Antigone—Penelope

Conquers the river-god Achelous in a wrestling match for Dejanira, later rescues Alcestis from Death.

Achelous and Hercules

Hercules is mentioned as the conqueror of Achelous, though his canonical ID is 'vulcan' (Hercules is an alias).

Admetus and Alcestis

Rescues Alcestis from Death by force at the palace of Admetus.

Antigone

God who gave the collar of Harmonia as a present on her marriage with Cadmus, later used by Polynices to bribe Eriphyle.

Orpheus and Eurydice—Aristaeus—Amphion—Linus—Thamyris—Marsyas—Melampus—Musaeus

Pupil of Linus whom he kills with a lyre after a harsh reprimand.

Linus

Pupil of Linus who kills him in anger.

Orion

Took pity on the blinded Orion and gave him Kedalion as a guide.

Origin of Mythology

Cited in the Scriptural theory as a parallel to Samson.

The Mythical History of England

Slays the giant Albion during his western march.

Armorica

Alluded to as Hercules in the myth of Albion the giant.

III: Merlin

Mentioned indirectly as 'Hercules' in the context of Merlin's magical works; not a primary figure in this chapter.

A

Mentioned as the killer of Antaeus and as the cleanser of the Augean stables.

H

Athletic hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, known for twelve labors and slaying the Hydra.

N

Killed the Nemean lion and the centaur Nessus; his jealous wife sent him a poisoned robe.

V

Described as the god of fire and metalworking, husband of Venus.