The question of whether Eros is the son of Hermes has been a topic of debate among scholars and mythology enthusiasts for centuries. Eros, also known as Cupid in Roman mythology, is the god of love and desire.
On the other hand, Hermes is the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers. Let’s delve deeper into this topic to find out more.
What is Eros?
Eros is one of the most popular gods in Greek mythology. He is often depicted as a young boy with wings and a bow and arrow.
According to mythological tales, he would use his arrows to make people fall in love with each other. He was considered a powerful and mischievous deity who had control over people’s emotions.
Who is Hermes?
Hermes was also an important god in Greek mythology. He was known for his speed and cunningness.
He was often depicted wearing winged sandals and a helmet, carrying a caduceus- a staff with two snakes intertwined around it. Hermes was responsible for guiding souls to the underworld and was considered the patron of travelers and merchants.
Are they related?
In some versions of Greek mythology, Eros is considered to be the son of Hermes and Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty. However, this is not universally accepted among scholars. In fact, there are other myths that state that Eros was born from Chaos or Nyx – goddess of night.
Evidence supporting their relation
One piece of evidence that supports the theory that Eros is Hermes’ son comes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. In Book 4, Ovid describes how Venus (Aphrodite) entrusted her son Cupid (Eros) to Mercury (Hermes), while she went off on her own adventures.
In addition, Eros and Hermes do share some similarities. Both have wings, which could suggest a familial relation. Furthermore, both gods have been associated with the act of stealing – Eros with stealing hearts and Hermes with stealing objects.
Evidence against their relation
However, there are myths that contradict this theory. For example, according to Hesiod’s Theogony, Eros was born from Chaos- the primordial void that existed before the universe. There are also other tales that do not mention Hermes as a father figure to Eros.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there is some evidence to suggest that Hermes is the father of Eros, it is by no means conclusive or universally accepted. As with many aspects of Greek mythology, there are often conflicting stories and interpretations. Ultimately, whether or not Eros is the son of Hermes remains a mystery that may never be fully resolved.