Hermes is one of the most intriguing and fascinating gods in Greek mythology. Known as the messenger of the gods, he was also the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and sports.
But do you know the story of Hermes’ birth? Let’s delve into it.
The Birth of Hermes
According to Greek mythology, Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia. Zeus was the king of all gods, while Maia was a nymph who lived in a deep cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia.
The story goes that Zeus was captivated by Maia’s beauty and decided to seduce her. He snuck into her cave when she was sleeping and impregnated her.
Maia’s Surprise
When Maia woke up, she discovered that she had given birth to a baby boy. She named him Hermes.
What surprised Maia even more was that Hermes was already wearing his famous winged sandals and carrying a lyre. It turned out that Hermes was not an ordinary baby but a divine being with extraordinary powers.
Hermes’ First Mischief
As a child, Hermes had a mischievous streak. One day he sneaked out of his mother’s cave and stole some cattle from Apollo, the god of music, poetry, prophecy and archery.
To avoid getting caught, he hid their tracks by making them walk backwards. When Apollo found out about this theft, he demanded that Hermes return his cattle.
The First Musical Instrument
Hermes decided to make peace with Apollo by giving him an instrument called lyre as compensation for stealing his cattle. Apollo loved it so much that he forgave Hermes for his mischief.
Conclusion
The story of Hermes’ birth is filled with intrigue and mischief-making. It tells us about how even the gods are not immune to the power of love and desire. Hermes’ unique powers and personality continue to fascinate people to this day.