Hermes, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, is known for his speed and cunning. However, he is also infamous for being a thief.
Throughout the myths, there are several instances where Hermes steals something important or valuable. Let’s take a closer look at what Hermes stole and why.
The Cattle of Apollo
One of the most famous stories about Hermes’ thievery involves him stealing the cattle of Apollo. According to the myth, Apollo had a herd of cattle that he cherished deeply.
One day, Hermes came across the herd and decided to steal it. He did so by creating shoes that would leave no footprints and then driving the cattle away.
When Apollo discovered that his cattle were missing, he searched high and low for them but could not find them. Eventually, he came across Hermes who was playing a lyre made from a tortoise shell. Apollo accused Hermes of stealing his cattle, but Hermes denied it.
To prove his innocence, Hermes led Apollo to where he had hidden the cattle. When they arrived at the spot, Apollo was amazed to see that all of his cattle were there unharmed. As a reward for returning his beloved cattle to him, Apollo gifted Hermes with the lyre that he had been playing.
The Girdle of Aphrodite
Another famous story involving Hermes’ thievery is when he stole Aphrodite’s girdle. The girdle was said to have magical powers that made anyone who wore it irresistible to others.
Hermes stole the girdle in order to help out his friend Hercules who was on a mission to complete 12 labors as punishment for killing his family in a fit of madness. One of these labors involved capturing a golden-horned deer that belonged to Artemis.
Hermes knew that Hercules would need Aphrodite’s girdle in order to complete this task as it would make the goddess of the hunt fall in love with him and allow him to capture the deer. So, he stole the girdle and gave it to Hercules.
The plan worked, and Hercules was able to capture the golden-horned deer. However, when Aphrodite discovered that her girdle was missing, she was furious. She went to Zeus and demanded that he punish Hermes for his thievery.
Zeus agreed to punish Hermes but also recognized his cleverness and ingenuity. As a result, Hermes was only lightly punished and allowed to keep the girdle.
The Scepter of Zeus
Perhaps one of Hermes’ boldest thefts was when he stole the scepter of Zeus himself. The scepter was a powerful symbol of Zeus’ authority and power over all of the gods.
Hermes stole the scepter while Zeus was sleeping and then hid it away in a cave. When Zeus woke up and discovered that his scepter was missing, he became enraged and demanded that it be returned immediately.
Hermes eventually returned the scepter to Zeus but not before using it as leverage to gain more power within the hierarchy of the gods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes is known for being a cunning thief who often stole important or valuable objects from other gods and goddesses. While some may view his actions as immoral or unjustified, others see them as a testament to his intelligence and resourcefulness.
Regardless of how one views Hermes’ thievery, there is no denying that these stories have become an integral part of Greek mythology and continue to captivate audiences today.