Many people wonder whether Hermes, the Greek god of messengers and thieves, works for Zeus, the king of all gods. The short answer is yes, Hermes is one of the twelve Olympian gods and serves as a messenger and personal assistant to Zeus. However, there is more to their relationship than just that.
Who is Hermes?
Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia, a nymph. He was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, Greece and had a reputation for being cunning from an early age. As the god of commerce, he was often associated with thieves and trickery but also played an important role as a messenger between the gods.
What is Hermes’ relationship with Zeus?
As mentioned earlier, Hermes serves as a messenger and personal assistant to Zeus. In fact, he was often referred to as “the messenger of the gods” due to his speed and agility. He was responsible for delivering messages between the gods and sometimes even acted as an intermediary in disputes.
However, their relationship goes beyond just work. In some myths, it’s suggested that Zeus had a soft spot for his son Hermes.
For example, in one story Hermes steals some cattle from Apollo and offers them to Zeus as a gift. Instead of punishing him for stealing, Zeus finds the whole thing amusing and welcomes him back home.
What are some other roles of Hermes?
Aside from being a messenger and assistant to Zeus, Hermes played many other roles in Greek mythology. Here are just a few:
- Hermes was also known as “the patron of travelers” due to his ability to move quickly and easily.
- He was considered the god of commerce and business.
- Hermes was often associated with thieves due to his quick wit and cunning.
- He was also the god of boundaries and often depicted with a winged hat and sandals to represent his ability to travel between different worlds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes is one of the twelve Olympian gods who serves as a messenger and assistant to Zeus. However, their relationship goes beyond just work, as Zeus has shown a soft spot for his son Hermes in some myths.
Additionally, Hermes played many other important roles in Greek mythology such as being the patron of travelers and the god of commerce. Overall, their relationship can be seen as one of mutual respect and admiration.