What Are Hermes Enemies?

Hermes, the Greek messenger of the gods, was known for his cunning and mischievous nature. Despite being a beloved deity, Hermes had a fair share of enemies due to his actions. In this article, we will explore some of Hermes’ enemies and the reasons behind their enmity.

Hades

One of Hermes’ most prominent enemies was Hades, the god of the underworld. Hades disliked Hermes because he was responsible for escorting souls to the afterlife. Hermes often led souls out of the underworld, which went against Hades’ rule.

Moreover, Hermes had a reputation for trickery and deceitfulness. This made Hades distrust him even further. The two gods were always at odds with each other, and their rivalry continued throughout Greek mythology.

Argus

Another enemy of Hermes was Argus, a giant with a hundred eyes who served as a watchman for Hera. Zeus had ordered Hermes to slay Argus while he was guarding Io. Hermes used his charm and storytelling skills to put Argus to sleep before killing him with a single blow.

This act enraged Hera as she valued Argus greatly. She cursed Hermes for his actions and sent her servant Echidna to torment him.

Apollo

Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and prophecy, was also an enemy of Hermes. Apollo’s enmity towards Hermes stemmed from an incident where he stole Apollo’s sacred cattle.

Hermes cleverly disguised himself and sneaked away with Apollo’s cattle. When Apollo discovered that his cattle were missing, he confronted Zeus about it. Upon realizing that it was indeed Hermes who had stolen them, Apollo demanded justice.

Zeus intervened in the matter by ordering Hermes to return the cattle to Apollo and compensate him with a lyre he created himself using turtle shells. This incident created animosity between the two gods, which lasted for a long time.

Conclusion

Hermes may have been a beloved figure in Greek mythology, but he certainly had his fair share of enemies. Hades, Argus, and Apollo were just a few of the many enemies that Hermes encountered due to his cunning and mischievous nature.

Despite having enemies, Hermes remained an important deity in Greek mythology. His ability to communicate with mortals and gods alike made him a vital messenger of the gods.