In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods and the patron of travelers, thieves, and merchants. He is also associated with commerce, fertility, and trickery.
But have you ever wondered how Hermes was born? Let’s dive into his origin story.
According to Greek mythology, Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia. Maia was one of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, who were known as the Pleiades. Zeus was immediately taken with Maia’s beauty when he saw her sleeping in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia.
Zeus approached Maia in the guise of a mortal and seduced her. As a result of their union, Maia became pregnant with Hermes.
When Hermes was born, he showed great intelligence and mischief from an early age. He even managed to steal Apollo’s cattle on his very first day! This established him as a trickster god from the start.
As Hermes grew older, he gained many more attributes that made him stand out among the other gods. He became known for his swiftness and agility, which made him an excellent messenger for the gods.
Hermes also had many magical abilities that he used to help both mortals and immortals alike. He could move freely between the worlds of the living and dead, which made him an important guide for souls journeying to the afterlife.
In addition to these qualities, Hermes also had a deep knowledge of music, poetry, and storytelling. This made him a favorite among both mortals and immortals alike.
In conclusion, Hermes was born from a union between Zeus and Maia. From his very birth onwards he displayed mischievousness which marked him as a trickster god from early on in life. His unique set of skills including his swiftness; agility; magical powers; knowledge of music poetry; storytelling etc., helped him to become a prominent figure in Greek mythology.