Engraving of the Roman god Vulcan which appeared in "Set of the Antique Gods" by Hendrik Goltzius (1592). In ancient Roman religion and myth, Vulcan is the god of fire, including the fire of volcanoes. He is often depicted with a blacksmith's hammer. The festival of Vulcan, the Vulcanalia, was celebrated on August 23rd each year, when the summer heat placed crops and granaries most at risk of burning. During the festival bonfires were created in honor of the god, into which live fish or small animals were thrown as a sacrifice, to be consumed in the place of humans. His Greek counterpart is Hephaestus, the god of fire and smithery. In Etruscan religion, he is identified with Sethlans. The only ugly and deformed god. Makes armor and weapons forged under volcanoes.