Hermes, the messenger god of Greek mythology, is known for his speed, agility, and cunning. But have you ever wondered how he came to be? Let’s delve into the mythological story of how Hermes was made.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Zeus had an affair with a mortal woman named Maia. Maia gave birth to a baby boy who was none other than Hermes.
As soon as he was born, Hermes showed signs of being extraordinary. He was incredibly intelligent and had the ability to speak almost immediately.
Hermes quickly became known for his mischievous nature. One day while still an infant, he snuck out of his cradle and stole Apollo’s cattle.
To avoid getting caught, he cleverly disguised the cattle’s tracks by putting shoes on them backwards. Apollo was furious when he discovered his missing cattle and searched everywhere for them but failed to find them.
When Hermes returned home with the cattle, he fell asleep in his cradle with a smug smile on his face. Apollo eventually found out that it was Hermes who had stolen his cattle and demanded that Zeus punish him accordingly.
Zeus called upon Hermes and asked him if it was true that he had stolen Apollo’s cattle. Hermes admitted to it but also explained how cleverly he had disguised their tracks. Impressed by his son’s intelligence and cunning nature, Zeus forgave him and gave him a special role as the messenger of the gods.
Hermes became known as the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings. He was depicted wearing winged sandals that allowed him to move swiftly across great distances. He also carried a caduceus staff which symbolized commerce and negotiation.
In conclusion, Hermes’ story is one filled with mischief and cunningness but ultimately led to him becoming one of the most important gods in Greek mythology. His quick wit and intelligence earned him respect from his fellow gods and a special place as the messenger of the gods.