Hermes is a well-known figure in Greek mythology. He is known as the messenger of the gods and is often depicted with wings on his feet and a staff in his hand.
Hermes is a fascinating character, and his stories have been told for generations. In this article, we will explore the various Greek stories that feature Hermes.
The Birth of Hermes
One of the most popular stories about Hermes is his birth story. It is said that Zeus, the king of gods, had an affair with Maia, one of Atlas’ daughters.
She became pregnant with Hermes, who was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. From birth, he showed remarkable intelligence and skill.
Hermes and the Cattle of Apollo
When Hermes was still a baby, he wandered out of his cave and came across Apollo’s herd of cattle. Being mischievous by nature, he decided to steal some of them.
He then took them back to his cave and hid them there. When Apollo found out what had happened to his cattle, he was furious.
However, when he confronted Hermes about it, he found himself amused by the baby’s cunning nature. So instead of punishing him harshly, Apollo decided to make a deal with him: if Hermes returned the cattle unharmed, he would give him his lyre (a musical instrument).
Hermes agreed to the deal and returned the cattle to Apollo unharmed. In return for his honesty, Apollo gave him the lyre as promised.
The Story of Pandora’s Box
Another famous story involving Hermes is that of Pandora’s Box. According to legend, Zeus created Pandora as punishment for Prometheus’ crime against humanity. Zeus gave her a box filled with all kinds of evils and sent her down to Earth as a gift for Prometheus’ brother Epimetheus.
Hermes was sent to deliver the box to Epimetheus, but he warned him not to open it under any circumstances. However, Epimetheus’ curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the box, unleashing all kinds of evils into the world.
Hermes and Argus
In another story, Hermes was tasked by Zeus to kill Argus, a giant with a hundred eyes who was guarding Io (a nymph who Zeus had turned into a cow). Hermes managed to put Argus to sleep by playing his lyre and then killed him with his sword.
The Story of Perseus
Hermes also played a role in the story of Perseus. After Perseus had slain Medusa, he needed to get safely back home. Hermes helped him by giving him sandals with wings on them so that he could fly.
Conclusion
As we have seen, Hermes is a fascinating figure in Greek mythology. His stories are full of adventure and mischief.
Whether he is stealing cattle or helping heroes on their quests, Hermes always manages to make an impact. It’s no wonder that his stories have been told for generations and continue to captivate readers today.