Hephaestus was a god because he was one of the twelve Olympian gods who were worshipped in ancient Greek religion. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and was the god of fire, metalworking, and sculpture. Hephaestus was also known as the "divine craftsman" and was said to have created many of the beautiful works of art that adorned the temples and palaces of the gods. He was also known for his wisdom and skill in all areas of craftsmanship and was the patron god of all artisans and craftsmen. Additionally, Hephaestus was a powerful and formidable deity, and his control over fire and metalworking made him a formidable opponent in battle.