Blinkenberg, Christian: The thunderweapon in religion and folklore: a study in comparative archaeology (London , Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press, 1911)

ANCIENT GREECE

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The classical Greek thunderweapon, which will be discussed in
a later chapter, cannot, in view of its nature and date, be taken
into account. The double-axe, on the contrary, has the first
claim to consideration. It was certainly of the same shape as
man’s own implement, but when placed in the hands of the gods
it was necessary that it should have been made by supernatural
beings, fire demons, who cast or forged it and endowed it with
supernatural power. This idea is mentioned in Hesiod’s Theogony
(yv. 140 and 501 seq.\ Similar legends are told of Thor’s mjolnir,
forged by the dwarfs, and Indra’s vajra, made by Tvashtar.
The ancient popular belief about the thunderstone, on the other
hand, does not show any corresponding features. The thunder-
stone explains itself to the mind of the people as a natural
phenomenon, but the metal weapon requires a special myth :
only a supernatural origin will raise it above the tools of men
and supply a reason for its dreadful power.