Hephaestus,
Wizard of Technology
In the following passage from Homer’s
great epic
poem, the Iliad, a goddess visits Hephaestus at his home and
workshop
(tr. Lattimore, revised):
She found him sweating as he turned here and
there at his bellows
busily, since he was working on twenty tripods
which were to stand against the wall of his strong-built
home.
And he had set golden wheels underneath the base
of each one
so that, by their own motion, they could wheel
into the immortal
gathering, and return to his house—a wonder to
look at...
He set the bellows away from the fire, and gathered
and put away
all the tools with which he worked in a silver
strongbox.
Then with a sponge he wiped his forehead clean,
and both hands,
and his massive neck and hairy chest, and put
on a tunic,
and took up a heavy stick in his hand, and went
to the doorway
limping. And in support of their master moved
his attendants.
These are golden, and in appearance like living
young women.
There is intelligence in their hearts, and there
is speech in them
and strength, and they have learned what to do
from the immortal gods...
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