What Did Hermes Do to Argos?

In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the messenger of the gods. He was also considered the patron of travelers, merchants, and thieves.

But did you know that he once had a run-in with Argos? Here’s what happened:

Argos was a giant with one hundred eyes that never slept. He was tasked by Hera, the wife of Zeus, to watch over Io, a nymph who had been transformed into a cow by Zeus to protect her from Hera’s jealousy.

Hermes was sent by Zeus to rescue Io and bring her back safely. To do this, he needed to distract Argos and put him to sleep so that he could free Io.

Hermes used his wit and charm to tell stories and sing songs that lulled Argos into a deep slumber. Once all of his eyes were shut, Hermes swiftly killed him with his sword.

It’s worth noting that Hermes wasn’t acting maliciously towards Argos – he was simply following orders from Zeus. Nonetheless, killing someone is no small matter.

So why did Hera choose Argos to watch over Io in the first place? Because she knew that his one hundred eyes would make it impossible for anyone to steal her away unnoticed. But even with such diligent surveillance, Hermes still managed to outsmart him.

In some versions of the myth, Hera takes pity on Argos after his death and places his many eyes on the tail feathers of her favorite bird – the peacock – as a way of honoring him.

Overall, the story of what Hermes did to Argos is one of cunning and trickery. It showcases Hermes’ resourcefulness and ability to think on his feet in order to accomplish his mission. And while it may not be a happy ending for Argos himself, it does have a lasting impact on Greek mythology through the peacock’s striking display of eye-like feathers.