What Did Hermes Do to Anger Apollo?

In Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus were known for their powerful abilities and complex relationships with each other. One such relationship was between Hermes, the messenger god, and Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, and healing.

According to legend, Hermes managed to anger Apollo in a number of ways. The first incident occurred when Hermes stole some of Apollo’s cattle. As punishment for this theft, Apollo demanded that Hermes return the cattle and give him a lyre as compensation.

Hermes agreed to these terms but also played a trick on Apollo by inventing the lyre from a tortoise shell. When Apollo discovered this deception, he was furious with Hermes for not only stealing his cattle but also tricking him into accepting the lyre as compensation.

Another incident that angered Apollo was when Hermes killed one of his sacred cows in order to offer it as a sacrifice to the gods. This act was seen as disrespectful and sacrilegious by Apollo who demanded that Hermes pay restitution for his actions.

Despite these instances of conflict between the two gods, they were able to reconcile their differences and become friends over time. In fact, they often worked together on various tasks such as escorting souls to Hades or protecting travelers on their journeys.

In conclusion, while there were certainly moments of tension between them, Hermes and Apollo ultimately found a way to move past their disagreements and form a strong bond as fellow gods of Olympus. Their relationship serves as a reminder that even those with differing opinions or values can find common ground if they are willing to work towards understanding and forgiveness.

  • Key Takeaways:
    • Hermes angered Apollo by stealing his cattle and tricking him into accepting a lyre made from a tortoise shell.
    • Hermes also killed one of Apollo’s sacred cows which angered the god of music, prophecy, and healing.
    • Despite these conflicts, Hermes and Apollo were able to reconcile their differences and form a strong bond as fellow gods of Olympus.