According to myth, Hera was furious with Zeus when he bore Athene from His head without Her input. (Whether or not she was also furious about Metis's involvement is a mystery.) Not to be outdone, Hera bore Haphaestos by parthenogenesis but she was disappointed by his ugly appearance and the fact that he was born crippled and she cast him out of Olympos. After he grew up, Hephaestos returned with a "peace offering" for His mother, a magnificent throne. When she sat upon it she was stuck and He refused to release Her until Hermes got him drunk and brought him back to Olympos on the back of a mule. Hephaestos finally released Hera after He was given Aphrodite as wife.