The prominence of the Temple of Hephaistos, Greek god of metalworkers,
situated on a hill to the west of the Agora, reflects the esteem in
which bronzeworkers were held by the Athenians. Although many of the
objects these craftsmen produced have now been melted down, the statues,
lamps, and vessels that remain testify to the high standards of their
craftsmanship. As well as illustrating some of the surviving finished
products, the author discusses the techniques used to cast bronze and
the level of skill involved in producing complex metal statuary.