Homeric Hymn 20 to Hephaestus

Anonymous. Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica. Evelyn-White, Hugh G., editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: The Macmillan Co., 1914.

Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a short hymn praising Hephaestus, the god of crafts and fire. The poet begins by calling upon the clear-voiced Muse to sing of Hephaestus. In the hymn, Hephaestus, alongside the goddess Athena, is depicted as the benefactor who taught glorious crafts to human beings, who previously lived like wild beasts in caves. Having learned these skills from the gods, humanity was able to establish a civilized way of life and live peacefully in their own homes. The poem concludes with a prayer to Hephaestus, asking for his favor, happiness, and prosperity.