Hermes Trismegistus, also known as the “Thrice-Great Hermes,” is a legendary figure in Greek mythology who is associated with many gods and goddesses. He is often described as the god of wisdom, magic, and alchemy, and was revered as a messenger between the gods and humans. In this article, we will explore the gods that Hermes Trismegistus was associated with.
The Greek Pantheon
In ancient Greece, Hermes was one of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses. He was the son of Zeus and Maia, a nymph who lived in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. As a divine messenger, he had wings on his feet that allowed him to travel quickly across great distances.
Zeus
Hermes’ father Zeus was the king of the gods and reigned over all other deities. He was often depicted holding a lightning bolt or seated on a throne with an eagle by his side. Hermes acted as Zeus’ personal messenger and carried out his commands throughout the mortal world.
Apollo
In addition to being a messenger of Zeus, Hermes was also associated with Apollo, the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. The two were often depicted together on ancient Greek pottery and were considered complementary figures – Apollo represented rationality while Hermes symbolized intuition.
Egyptian Deities
Hermes Trismegistus also had connections to Egyptian mythology through his association with Thoth, the god of writing, wisdom, and magic.
Thoth
Thoth was one of the most important deities in ancient Egypt and was often depicted as a man with an ibis head or as a baboon. He was responsible for maintaining balance in the universe by recording events on earth and in the heavens. The Greeks identified Thoth with Hermes, and the two gods became associated with each other in both cultures.
Roman Deities
When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted many of the Greek gods and goddesses into their own pantheon. Hermes Trismegistus was no exception.
Mercury
The Roman god Mercury was closely associated with Hermes and shared many of his attributes. He was the god of commerce, travelers, and thieves, and was often depicted wearing a winged hat or carrying a caduceus – a staff with two snakes wrapped around it. Like Hermes, Mercury could move quickly from one place to another and acted as a messenger for the other gods.
Conclusion
Hermes Trismegistus was an important figure in Greek mythology who had connections to many other deities across different cultures. Whether he was acting as a messenger for Zeus or Thoth, or embodying the qualities of Apollo or Mercury, Hermes represented wisdom, magic, and communication between humans and gods.