Hermes, the Greek God of commerce, communication, and mischief is one of the most popular and well-known deities of Greek mythology. He is also known as the messenger of the gods and is often depicted with wings on his sandals and a caduceus in his hand.
There has been much debate among scholars about his parentage. Some believe that he is the son of Zeus and Maia, while others have different theories.
Who was Zeus?
Zeus was one of the twelve Olympian gods in Greek mythology. He was considered to be the king of all gods and was associated with thunder, lightning, and storms. It is said that he had many affairs with mortals and deities alike, which resulted in many children.
Who was Maia?
Maia was a nymph and goddess of fertility in Greek mythology. She was one of the Pleiades – a group of seven sisters who were known for their beauty. According to some sources, she was also associated with magic.
Is Hermes really the son of Zeus and Maia?
According to most myths, Hermes is indeed the son of Zeus and Maia. In fact, he is often referred to as “the son of Zeus and Maia” or “the son of Maia.” However, there are some variations in different myths about his parentage.
- In some versions, Hermes’ mother is said to be a daughter of Atlas named Pleione.
- In other versions, his mother is identified as Dione.
- Some accounts even suggest that Hermes was born from an egg laid by Hera after she became jealous of Zeus’ affair with Maia.
Despite these variations in myths about his parentage, most scholars agree that Hermes’ father was indeed Zeus.
The story of Hermes’ birth
According to the most popular myth, Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. His mother, Maia, was a virgin and had hidden herself away from the rest of the world.
However, Zeus saw her and fell in love with her. He then snuck into her cave and impregnated her.
As soon as he was born, Hermes showed signs of his mischievous nature. He quickly stole Apollo’s cattle and played tricks on his brother, who eventually found out and demanded that he return the stolen cattle. Hermes complied but not before inventing the lyre from a tortoise shell which he gifted to Apollo.
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to most myths, Hermes is indeed the son of Zeus and Maia. It is interesting to note that while there are variations in different accounts about his parentage, there is little variance about his status as one of the major gods in Greek mythology. The story of his birth also highlights his mischievous nature which he continued to exhibit throughout his life as the messenger of the gods and patron of commerce and thieves.