What Did Hermes Do Wrong?

Hermes, the Greek god known for his speed and cunning, was one of the twelve Olympian gods. However, despite his many talents and strengths, he was not without his flaws. In fact, Hermes made several mistakes throughout his mythological journey that ultimately led to negative consequences.

One of Hermes’ most significant misdeeds was stealing Apollo’s cattle shortly after he was born. In an attempt to cover up his actions, Hermes created sandals with wings on them so that he could fly away quickly if necessary. However, when Apollo discovered that Hermes had stolen his cattle, he became furious and demanded that the young god return them immediately.

Hermes eventually returned the cattle to Apollo but not before causing chaos and destruction in the process. This act of theft and deceit earned Hermes a reputation as a trickster god who could not be trusted.

Another mistake that Hermes made was helping Zeus cheat on Hera by distracting her with stories while Zeus had affairs with other women. While this may have seemed harmless at the time, it ultimately led to Hera’s anger toward both Zeus and Hermes. In fact, Hera became so enraged that she banished Hermes from Mount Olympus for a time as punishment for his actions.

In addition to these misdeeds, Hermes also had a reputation for being greedy and selfish at times. For example, he once refused to return a golden wand to Apollo even though it rightfully belonged to him.

Despite these flaws, however, Hermes was still beloved by many in ancient Greek mythology. He was known for being quick-witted and resourceful in difficult situations and often used his intellect to outsmart others.

Overall, while Hermes may have had many admirable qualities as a god of communication and commerce, he also made several mistakes throughout his mythological journey that ultimately led to negative consequences. His acts of theft and deceit earned him a reputation as a trickster god who could not be trusted while also showcasing some of his flaws as a character.