Are Hermes and Athena Siblings?

The Mythology of Hermes and Athena

In Greek mythology, Hermes and Athena are two of the most important gods. They are both powerful deities, but they have very different roles.

Hermes is the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers while Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, and war. Despite their differences, many people wonder if these two gods are siblings. Let’s explore this question in more detail.

The Parentage of Hermes and Athena

Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia, who was one of the seven daughters of Atlas. In some versions of the myth, he was also born on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia.

On the other hand, Athena is the daughter of Zeus and Metis. However, Zeus swallowed Metis while she was pregnant with Athena because he feared that their child would overthrow him.

The Births of Hermes and Athena

The birth stories of Hermes and Athena are very different. According to the myth, when Maia gave birth to Hermes, he immediately left his cradle and went out to steal cattle from Apollo. He then invented a lyre from a tortoise shell and traded it with Apollo for his stolen cattle.

Athena’s birth story is more complex. After swallowing Metis, Zeus suffered from a terrible headache that would not go away.

To ease his pain, he asked Hephaestus to split his head open with an axe. When he did so, Athena emerged fully grown and wearing armor.

Are They Siblings

Based on their parentage alone it would seem that Hermes and Athena are not siblings since they don’t share a mother or father. However some versions state that Maia might have been a sister of Metis, which would make Hermes and Athena cousins. Additionally, both gods were born in caves and are associated with the underworld, so they do share some similarities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s difficult to say for certain whether Hermes and Athena are siblings or not. While they don’t share the same mother or father, there are certain similarities between them that suggest they might be related in some way. Regardless of their familial ties, both gods played important roles in Greek mythology and continue to fascinate people today.