Hephaestus is known as the son of Hera and Zeus although Zeus had nothing to do with the conception Hephaestus was parthenogenetic. Hera was jealous of zeus after he had an affair with Metis from which the goddess was pregnant with Athena. However, Gaia had warned zeus that metis would bear a daughter, whose son would overthrow him. To prevent this, Zeus swallowed Metis, so he could carry the child through to the birth himself, although Zeus could not give birth naturally. For retribution Hera produced Hephaestus, and legend says, that Hephaestus split the head of zeus with an axe from which athena appeared fully armedHephaestus is known as the son of Hera and Zeus, although Zeus had nothing to do with the conception. Hephaestus was parthenogenetic. Hera was jealous of Zeus after he had an affair with Metis, from which the goddess was pregnant with Athena. However, Gaia had warned Zeus that Metis would bear a daughter, whose son would overthrow him. To prevent this, Zeus swallowed Metis, so he could carry the child through to the birth himself, although Zeus could not give birth naturally. For retribution Hera produced Hephaestus, and legend says, that Hephaestus split the head of Zeus with an axe, from which Athena appeared fully armed