Vulcan

**Vulcan** is the god of fire, including the fire of volcanoes, metalworking, and the forge in ancient Roman religion and myth. The festival of Vulcan, the *Vulcanalia*, was celebrated on August 23 each year, when the summer heat placed crops and granaries most at risk of burning. During the festival bonfires were created in honour of the god, into which live fish or small animals were thrown as a sacrifice, to be consumed in the place of humans. Vulcan is identified with **Hephaestus** of Greek mythology. Hephaestus (as here Vulcan is) was often shown with a crutch and hammer.