Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and sports, is a prominent figure in Greek mythology. According to the myths, Hermes was one of the twelve Olympian gods and was known for his cunning and quick wit.
However, there are several stories that suggest that Hermes met a tragic end. In this article, we will explore these stories and try to unravel the mystery of whether Hermes got killed.
The Myth of Hermes
Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia, a nymph. He was known for his speed and agility from a very young age. As per Greek mythology, Hermes was also credited with inventing the lyre and flute.
Hermes’s most famous role was as a messenger of the gods. He wore winged sandals that enabled him to fly swiftly between the mortal world and Mount Olympus, where the gods resided.
Apart from his messaging duties, Hermes also had other important tasks assigned to him by the gods. For instance, he would escort souls into the underworld after they died.
The Story of Apollo and Hermes
One famous myth tells us about Apollo’s disagreement with Hermes over cattle theft. As per this story, Apollo accused Hermes of stealing his cows while he was tending to them. However, Hermis denied any wrongdoing.
To resolve this dispute between the two gods, Zeus set up a trial where Apollo would play his lyre while Hermes would play his flute. The winner would be deemed innocent while the loser would have to pay restitution.
Apollo played beautifully on his lyre but was still outdone by Hermes’ flute playing skills. As a result, Apollo lost the case and had to concede that he falsely accused Hermes.
Did Hermes Die?
Despite being known for his quick wit and cunning mind in mythology, there are several stories that suggest that Hermes met an untimely end.
One such story is the myth of Sisyphus. According to this myth, Sisyphus, a cunning mortal, managed to outsmart the gods on several occasions. However, when he finally died, he was condemned by Zeus to an eternity of rolling a boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down again.
Hermes was tasked with escorting Sisyphus’s soul into the underworld. However, while on this journey, Hermes became frustrated with Sisyphus’s constant attempts to escape. In his anger, Hermes killed Sisyphus and sent his soul into the underworld.
Another story that suggests that Hermes met his end is the myth of Pan. According to this story, Pan challenged Hermes to a musical duel. However, Hermes refused and instead suggested that they both play together.
Pan played his flute while Hermes accompanied him on his lyre. However, during their performance, Pan’s music became too wild and loud for Hermes to handle. In frustration and anger, Hermes struck Pan with his lyre and killed him instantly.
The Verdict
So did Hermes die in any of these stories? The answer is no.
Although there are several myths that suggest otherwise, none of them actually confirm that Hermes died. In fact, most scholars agree that these stories were created only to showcase various aspects of the god’s character rather than depicting his death.
In conclusion, while there are several myths about Hermes meeting an untimely end at the hands of other gods or mortals alike, they are just myths and not facts. As far as we know from Greek mythology itself – Hermes lived on as one of the twelve Olympian gods until the end of time!