Does Hermes Have a Roman Counterpart?

Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and trade, is a well-known figure in ancient mythology. But did you know that he also has a Roman counterpart? In Roman mythology, Hermes is known as Mercury.

The Similarities

Mercury and Hermes share many similarities in terms of their roles and attributes. Both gods are associated with commerce, trade, and communication. They are also both known for their speed and agility, often depicted wearing winged sandals or a winged helmet.

Commerce and Trade

In both Greek and Roman mythology, Mercury/Hermes was considered the patron god of merchants. They were responsible for overseeing the movement of goods between cities and countries. This made them an important figure in the world of commerce.

Communication

Mercury/Hermes was also considered the messenger of the gods. They were responsible for delivering messages between the gods themselves as well as to mortals on Earth. This made them an important figure in the world of communication.

The Differences

Despite their similarities, there are some key differences between Mercury and Hermes.

Appearance

While both gods are associated with speed and agility, they are depicted differently in art. Mercury is often shown with wings on his hat or sandals, while Hermes is usually depicted wearing a traveler’s hat with wings attached to it.

Purpose

While both gods share similar roles in terms of commerce, trade, and communication, they were worshipped for different reasons. In Roman mythology, Mercury was seen as a protector of travelers and was worshipped for his ability to guide people safely to their destination. In Greek mythology, Hermes was seen more as a trickster god who enjoyed playing pranks on mortals.

  • In conclusion,
  • While Hermes and Mercury share many similarities, they are distinct figures in their respective mythologies. Despite this, both gods remain important symbols of commerce, trade, and communication in the modern world.

References:

  1. “Mercury (mythology).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr.

    2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(mythology).

  2. “Hermes.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 16 Sept. 2009, www.ancient.eu/Hermes/.