Hermes is one of the most fascinating and multi-dimensional figures in Greek mythology. He is the messenger of the gods, god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and even shepherds.
Hermes was a popular deity in ancient Greece and his stories have been passed down through generations. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous stories associated with Hermes.
The Birth of Hermes
Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia, a nymph. As soon as he was born, he proved to be a mischievous child.
He stole Apollo’s cattle on the very first day of his life. To hide his tracks, he put shoes on the cows’ hooves that made them walk backward. When Apollo confronted Hermes about this theft, Hermes denied any involvement until Zeus intervened and ordered him to return the cattle to Apollo.
The Creation of the Lyre
One of Hermes’ most famous attributes is his lyre. According to legend, Hermes created the first-ever lyre by stretching strings across a tortoise shell.
He then gifted it to Apollo as an apology for stealing his cattle. Apollo fell in love with the lyre’s sweet music and gave Hermes his golden staff in exchange for it.
Hermes’ Role as Messenger
As mentioned earlier, Hermes was known as the messenger of the gods. This role often put him in dangerous situations where he had to act quickly and decisively. One such story involves him delivering a message from Zeus to Hades demanding that Persephone be returned from the underworld.
On his way back from delivering this message, he saw a beautiful woman named Aglauros who refused to let him pass through her garden unless he gave her gold. Hermes did not have any gold with him but promised her riches if she allowed him through. When he returned with Persephone from Hades, he rewarded Aglauros with the riches he had promised.
Hermes and the Infant Dionysus
In this story, Hermes was tasked with protecting the infant god Dionysus from being killed by Hera. He took the infant to a secret location and entrusted him to a group of nymphs who raised him in secret.
To keep Dionysus safe, Hermes also put a spell on him that made him look like a goat. This disguise allowed Dionysus to escape detection and grow up safely.
The Theft of Apollo’s Herds
In another story involving Apollo and Hermes, Hermes once again stole Apollo’s herds but this time did not deny it when confronted. Instead, he offered Apollo his lyre as compensation.
Apollo accepted the lyre but was still angry that his herds had been stolen. In the end, however, their conflict was resolved peacefully.
Conclusion
Hermes is a complex figure in Greek mythology with many different roles and responsibilities. His stories are full of adventure, mischief, and drama.
From his birth to his role as messenger to his creation of the lyre, each story adds an important layer to our understanding of this fascinating deity. We hope you enjoyed reading about some of Hermes’ most famous stories!