# Vulcan — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Vulcan in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Hercules, Strong Hercules **First appearance:** 0005-roman-divinities ## Who they are God of fire and metalworking, husband of Venus, forger of divine weapons. ## In the story ### [Stories of Gods and Heroes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/stories-of-gods-and-heroes) Hercules performs the Twelve Labors, demonstrating immense strength and endurance. ### [Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/i-introduction) Divine smith and architect; builds the houses of the gods and fashions their equipment. ### [Roman Divinities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/roman-divinities) Referenced under the name Mulciber, the Latin name for Vulcan. ### [Phaëton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/v-pha-ton) Crafted the sun chariot and decorated the palace walls with representations of earth, sea, and skies. ### [Cadmus—The Myrmidons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xii-cadmus-the-myrmidons) Presents Harmonia with a necklace of surpassing brilliancy at her wedding. ### [Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xvii-the-golden-fleece-medea) Among the band of heroes who joined Jason's expedition. ### [The Golden Fleece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-golden-fleece) One of the Argonauts who leaves the expedition at Mysia in search of Hylas. ### [XIX: Hercules—Hebe and Ganymede](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xix-hercules-hebe-and-ganymede) Central figure of the chapter; performs the Twelve Labors, descends to Hades, and is ultimately deified. ### [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/theseus) Mentioned as a model for Theseus; later liberates Theseus from the underworld. ### [XXIII: Achelous and Hercules—Admetus and Alcestis—Antigone—Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/achelous-and-hercules) Hercules is mentioned as the conqueror of Achelous, though his canonical ID is 'vulcan' (Hercules is an alias). ### [Admetus and Alcestis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/admetus-and-alcestis) Rescues Alcestis from Death by force at the palace of Admetus. ### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxiv-orpheus-and-eurydice-aristaeus-amphion-linus-thamyris-marsyas-melampus-musaeus) Pupil of Linus whom he kills with a lyre after a harsh reprimand. ### [Linus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/linus) Pupil of Linus who kills him in anger. ### [Orion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/orion) Took pity on the blinded Orion and gave him Kedalion as a guide. ### [Origin of Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/origin-of-mythology) Cited in the Scriptural theory as a parallel to Samson. ### [The Mythical History of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-mythical-history-of-england) Slays the giant Albion during his western march. ### [Armorica](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/armorica) Alluded to as Hercules in the myth of Albion the giant. ### [III: Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iii-merlin) Mentioned indirectly as 'Hercules' in the context of Merlin's magical works; not a primary figure in this chapter. ### [A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/a) Mentioned as the killer of Antaeus and as the cleanser of the Augean stables. ### [H](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/h) Athletic hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, known for twelve labors and slaying the Hydra. ### [N](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/n) Killed the Nemean lion and the centaur Nessus; his jealous wife sent him a poisoned robe. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/v) Described as the god of fire and metalworking, husband of Venus. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/vulcan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters