In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the messenger of the gods, the god of commerce and thieves. He was also known for his cunning and trickery. According to the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, one of his most famous acts of trickery was stealing cattle from his half-brother Apollo.
The Homeric Hymn to Hermes tells the story of how Hermes, just one day old, left his cave and saw a herd of cattle grazing nearby. Being hungry, he stole some cows and took them to his cave. When Apollo found out about the theft, he was furious and demanded that Hermes return his cattle.
Hermes denied any knowledge of the theft at first but eventually admitted to stealing the cows. However, he also offered Apollo a lyre that he had made in exchange for the stolen cattle. Apollo accepted the offer and thus began their friendship.
But what did Hermes steal from Apollo exactly? According to the Homeric Hymn, Hermes stole fifty cows and made them walk backwards so that their hoof prints would lead Apollo astray. This act shows not only Hermes’ cunning but also his sense of humor.
The Homeric Hymn goes on to describe how Hermes played his lyre for Apollo and sang a beautiful song. This act impressed Apollo so much that he gave Hermes a golden staff as a symbol of their newfound friendship.
In addition to being an entertaining story, the Homeric Hymn to Hermes also sheds light on ancient Greek society’s values. The hymn emphasizes hospitality by showing how important it was for guests to be welcomed into someone’s home with food and drink.
It also highlights Greek society’s reverence for music by describing how impressed Apollo was with Hermes’ musical talents. Music played an important role in ancient Greek culture; it was used in religious ceremonies as well as in entertainment.
Overall, the Homeric Hymn to Hermes is a fascinating tale that showcases Hermes’ cunning and trickery while also highlighting the importance of hospitality and music in ancient Greek society.
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