Divine Bronze of Hephaestus
Mythological · Legendary · Ancient
The metal worked by Hephaestus in his divine forge on Olympus. Described in Homer and Hesiod as categorically different from mortal bronze: impervious to mundane damage, capable of wounding divine flesh, and able to conduct divine power without degradation. The automatons of Hephaestus were wrought from it.
Identity
- Source
- Greek mythology
- Aliases
- Oreichalkos theion, God-forged bronze, Celestial bronze
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Brilliant molten-gold to deep amber, as if permanently catching firelight; the surface appears wet with inner heat even when cold
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 10.5 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 4200 °C
- Lighter
- Silver
- Denser
- Titansteel
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Very High
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 10
- Tensile strength
- 6000 MPa
- Softer
- Mirrorplate
- Harder
- Beskar
- Workability
- Impossible
- Brittleness
- Tough
- Malleability
- Low
- Ductility
- Low
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- absolute
- Reactivity
- none
Lore & Narrative
The armour of Achilles, the net that trapped Ares and Aphrodite, the golden maidens who served as Hephaestus's handmaidens, all forged from this metal. Mortal craftsmen who handled it reported burns that left no mark, as if the metal recognised them as unworthy and refused to be mastered.
- Notable uses
- Divine armour, godly weapons, divine automatons, Olympian architecture
- Forge uses
- divine armor, godly weapons, automatons
- Worldbuilding traits
- divine, greek, olympian, legendary
Browse the Metal Encyclopedia — MGS Toolbox