DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69192#0082
[ 24 ]
VULCAN.
Vulcan is described by the poets as a mere
mortal blacksmith, only with the addition of his
being lame. They represent him as black, and
hardened from the forge, with a fiery red face,
whilst at work, and tired, and heated after it
This poor god is always the subje& of pity
or ridicule. He is the grand cuckold of hea-
ven, and his lameness serves to divert the
gods “.
VESTA.
It is doubtful whether Vesta has any statue.
Ovid, indeed, speaks of an image of her, but af-
Stat. Theb. iii. v. 431. Mars Gradivus appears on a Cornelian
at Florence with his helmet and spear, and a trophy on his ihoulder.
t Some of the descriptions of his look seem to have been copied
from antient paintings. See Stat. iii. Sylv. 1. v. 133. 1. i. Sylv.
5. v. 8. Theb. v. v. 31. The few figures of Vulcan agree with
the poets, except a relievo at Paris, where he is sitting, with some
dignity, with Fauns instead of the Cyclops. But this seems to be
a modern invention. It was reckoned an excellence in oi^e of his
best statues, that his lameness was concealed, but not grossly, Vai.
Max. viii. c. 11. By sitting he loses his chief attribute, Vir. /En.
Yiii. v. 415. Ovid. Met. iv. 175.
u Flaccus has described him after his fall srom heaven. He has
just recovered himself, and is hobbling on by the help of some good
people of Lemnos, who found him in his distress, Flac. Arg. ii.
v. 93. Venus mimicked his lameness to divert Mars, Ovid.de
Art. Am. ii. v, 570, See Minutius Felix ridiculing the heathen
gods, where Vulcan stands first, c. xxi»
terwards
VULCAN.
Vulcan is described by the poets as a mere
mortal blacksmith, only with the addition of his
being lame. They represent him as black, and
hardened from the forge, with a fiery red face,
whilst at work, and tired, and heated after it
This poor god is always the subje& of pity
or ridicule. He is the grand cuckold of hea-
ven, and his lameness serves to divert the
gods “.
VESTA.
It is doubtful whether Vesta has any statue.
Ovid, indeed, speaks of an image of her, but af-
Stat. Theb. iii. v. 431. Mars Gradivus appears on a Cornelian
at Florence with his helmet and spear, and a trophy on his ihoulder.
t Some of the descriptions of his look seem to have been copied
from antient paintings. See Stat. iii. Sylv. 1. v. 133. 1. i. Sylv.
5. v. 8. Theb. v. v. 31. The few figures of Vulcan agree with
the poets, except a relievo at Paris, where he is sitting, with some
dignity, with Fauns instead of the Cyclops. But this seems to be
a modern invention. It was reckoned an excellence in oi^e of his
best statues, that his lameness was concealed, but not grossly, Vai.
Max. viii. c. 11. By sitting he loses his chief attribute, Vir. /En.
Yiii. v. 415. Ovid. Met. iv. 175.
u Flaccus has described him after his fall srom heaven. He has
just recovered himself, and is hobbling on by the help of some good
people of Lemnos, who found him in his distress, Flac. Arg. ii.
v. 93. Venus mimicked his lameness to divert Mars, Ovid.de
Art. Am. ii. v, 570, See Minutius Felix ridiculing the heathen
gods, where Vulcan stands first, c. xxi»
terwards