How Did Hermes Lose His Body?

In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods. He is often depicted with a winged hat and sandals, carrying a staff known as the caduceus. However, there is a lesser-known story about how Hermes lost his body.

The Story of Hermes’ Body

According to ancient texts, Hermes was born with a body like any other god. However, he was mischievous and often played pranks on his fellow gods. One day, he stole Apollo’s cattle and hid them in a cave.

When Apollo found out about the theft, he went to Zeus to complain. Zeus ordered Hermes to return the cattle to Apollo and make amends for his actions.

Hermes agreed to return the cattle but had a trick up his sleeve. He fashioned fake feet for the cows and led them out of the cave backward so that their tracks would appear to lead into the cave instead of out.

Apollo was not fooled by this trickery and demanded that Hermes return his true cattle. In order to do so, Hermes had to give up his body as collateral until he could retrieve Apollo’s cows.

The Aftermath

Hermes was forced to live without a body until he could retrieve Apollo’s cattle. During this time, he became known as “Koinos Hermes,” or “Hermes in Common.” He was no longer seen as a god but rather as an immortal being without physical form.

Eventually, Hermes was able to retrieve Apollo’s cattle and return them unharmed. As payment for their safe return, Apollo allowed Hermes to reclaim his body.

After this ordeal, Hermes learned his lesson and stopped playing tricks on his fellow gods. However, he never forgot what it was like to be without a physical form and continued to use his powers of communication and trickery for good rather than mischief.

Conclusion

The story of how Hermes lost his body is a cautionary tale about the consequences of one’s actions. It also highlights the importance of making amends and learning from one’s mistakes.

While Hermes may have lost his body temporarily, he gained a valuable lesson in the process. His experience as “Koinos Hermes” allowed him to view the world from a different perspective and become a more compassionate and empathetic god.

So, next time you see an image of Hermes with his winged hat and sandals, remember that there is more to his story than just being the messenger of the gods.