Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and athletes, is often portrayed as a mischievous figure in Greek mythology. While he is known for his cunning and trickery, he is also associated with committing several crimes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the crimes that Hermes committed.
1. Theft of Apollo’s cattle
One of the most famous stories involving Hermes is his theft of Apollo’s cattle. According to the myth, Hermes was born in a cave and soon after his birth, he went out to steal his brother Apollo’s cattle from Mount Olympus.
To cover up his tracks, he made the cattle walk backward and wore shoes with reversed soles to confusing anyone trying to follow him. When Apollo found out about the theft, he confronted Hermes who denied any involvement. However, when Apollo found the stolen cattle in Hermes’ possession, he was furious.
Lesson learned: Stealing is never okay. Even if you think you won’t get caught or can cover your tracks, it’s not worth risking your reputation and relationships.
2. Deceiving Zeus
Another instance where Hermes’ trickery got him into trouble was when he deceived Zeus by stealing one of his cows. To do this, Hermes first seduced the cow with sweet words before leading it away from Zeus’ herd.
When Zeus discovered what had happened later on and confronted Hermes about it, Hermes denied any involvement and even offered to swear an oath on it. Zeus saw through this deception but was amused by Hermes’ cleverness.
Lesson learned: Honesty is always the best policy. Lying or deceiving others may seem like an easy way out in the moment but can have serious consequences in the long run.
3. Killing Argus
In another story involving Hera (Zeus’ wife), Hermes was tasked with killing Argus, a giant with 100 eyes who had been tasked with guarding Hera’s sacred cow. To do this, Hermes played his lyre to lull Argus to sleep before swiftly killing him. This earned Hermes the nickname “Argus Slayer.”
Lesson learned: Violence is never the answer. It’s important to find peaceful solutions and resolve conflicts without resorting to physical harm.
4. Betraying his half-brother
Hermes is also known for betraying his half-brother, Myrtilus, who helped him win a chariot race in exchange for a reward. However, Hermes went back on his promise and refused to give Myrtilus the reward he had promised him. In revenge, Myrtilus cursed Hermes’ future descendants.
Lesson learned: Keeping your promises is important. Betrayal can have serious consequences and can damage relationships beyond repair.
In conclusion, while Hermes may have committed several crimes in Greek mythology, it’s important to remember that these stories are meant to be cautionary tales. We can learn valuable lessons from these stories about honesty, integrity, and peaceful conflict resolution.