Was Hermes Friendly?

Hermes, the Greek god of trade, commerce, and messengers, has been depicted in various ways throughout history. Some have portrayed Hermes as a friendly and helpful god who aided humans in their everyday lives.

Others have depicted him as a mischievous trickster who enjoyed playing pranks on mortals. So, the question arises – Was Hermes friendly?

Origins of Hermes

Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia, a Titaness. He was one of the twelve Olympian gods and was known for his speed and agility.

As the messenger of the gods, he carried out tasks assigned by Zeus himself. He also served as a guide to souls in the underworld.

The Friendly Aspect of Hermes

Despite his otherworldly status, Hermes had a reputation for being friendly towards humans. He was considered to be approachable and helpful in times of need. He was often depicted wearing a traveler’s hat and carrying a staff that symbolized his role as a guide.

One of the most famous stories about Hermes’ friendliness is the myth of Argus Panoptes. In this story, Hera assigns Argus Panoptes to guard Io, whom Zeus had turned into a cow to hide her from Hera’s wrath. Hermes is then sent to rescue Io from Argus’ watchful eyes.

Instead of using brute force or trickery to defeat Argus, Hermes engages him in conversation until he falls asleep. This shows that Hermes was not only cunning but also friendly towards those who were not necessarily his enemies.

The Trickster Aspect of Hermes

However, it would be remiss not to mention Hermes’ mischievous side. As the god of thieves and commerce, he often played pranks on mortals for his own amusement.

One such story involved two brothers who were arguing over their inheritance when they encountered Hermes disguised as an old man. Hermes tricks them into trading their inheritance for a cow, which turns out to be an empty promise.

Hermes: Friendly or Mischievous?

So, was Hermes friendly? The answer is not straightforward.

While he was known for his helpfulness towards humans and his cunning strategies to aid them, he was also a trickster who enjoyed playing pranks. It could be said that Hermes’ friendliness depended on the situation and the people involved.

In conclusion, Hermes was a complex god whose personality encompassed both friendliness and mischievousness. His multifaceted nature is what makes him such an interesting figure in Greek mythology.