August 23: The Vulcanalia Celebration

In ancient Rome, Vulcan (or Volcanus) was well known as the god of fire and volcanoes. Similar to the Greek Hephaestus, Vulcan was a god of the forge, and renowned for his metalworking skills. He was also somewhat deformed and is portrayed as being lame. His festival fell each year around August 23, and it was believed that making sacrifices into bonfires would keep fires from consuming granaries, homes, and cities -- however, that didn't seem to prevent the Great Fire of Rome in 64 c.e. from taking place! Celebrating the Vulcanalia  

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