What Are Hermes Family Relationships?

Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, travel, and thieves, is one of the most fascinating figures in Greek mythology. He is widely known for his quick wit, cunning, and trickery.

However, what many people don’t know is that Hermes had a complex family tree with various relationships that played important roles in his life. In this article, we will dive into the details of Hermes’ family relationships.

Hermes’ Parents

Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia. Maia was a daughter of Atlas and Pleione.

Zeus, being the king of gods, had many love interests and affairs outside his marriage to Hera. Maia was one such affair that resulted in the birth of Hermes.

Hermes’ Siblings

Hermes had several siblings from both his mother’s and father’s side. From his mother’s side, he had seven sisters known as Pleiades – Alcyone, Asterope, Celaeno, Electra, Maia (not to be confused with his mother), Merope, and Taygete. From his father’s side, he had numerous half-siblings including Apollo and Artemis (twins), Athena (born fully grown from Zeus’ head), Ares (god of war), Dionysus (god of wine), Hephaestus (god of fire), Persephone (queen of the underworld), and many others.

Hermes’ Children

Hermes was known for having multiple love interests throughout his life which resulted in numerous children. Some of his most famous children include:

  • Pan – god of nature who had the legs and horns of a goat
  • Autolycus – master thief who could change his appearance at will
  • Abderus – companion of Heracles who was killed by the Mares of Diomedes
  • Eudoros – one of the leaders of the Myrmidons during the Trojan War

Hermes’ Relationships with Other Gods

Hermes had a close relationship with his half-brother Apollo. They were often depicted together in art and mythology.

Apollo was the god of music, poetry, and prophecy while Hermes was the god of commerce and thieves. Despite their different domains, they shared similarities such as being patrons of athletics and having a mischievous side.

Hermes also had a close relationship with Zeus, his father. He served as Zeus’ messenger and was often sent on important missions for him. As a result, he was given the nickname “the messenger of the gods.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hermes’ family relationships were complex and played important roles in his life. From his parents to his siblings to his children, each relationship contributed to his character and mythology. His relationships with other gods such as Apollo and Zeus were also significant in shaping Greek mythology as we know it today.