What Happened Hermes Mother?

Have you ever wondered about the story behind Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers? While we know a lot about his life and adventures, there’s not much information available about his mother. In this article, we’ll explore what happened to Hermes’ mother and how it affected his life.

Who was Hermes’ mother?

Hermes’ mother was Maia, one of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. She was a nymph who lived in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. According to Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of gods, fell in love with Maia and they had an affair that resulted in the birth of Hermes.

What happened to Maia?

After giving birth to Hermes, Maia retreated back to her cave on Mount Cyllene. She raised her son alone and taught him everything he needed to know. However, she soon caught the attention of Apollo, the god of music and poetry.

Apollo became infatuated with Maia and tried to seduce her. However, Maia rejected him and fled from her cave to avoid his advances. Apollo searched for her but couldn’t find her anywhere.

The aftermath

Maia’s rejection deeply hurt Apollo’s pride and he blamed Hermes for stealing his chance at love. He also accused Hermes of stealing his cattle as revenge for being rejected by Maia.

Zeus intervened in the dispute between his two sons and ordered Hermes to return Apollo’s cattle. To make amends for his actions, Hermes created a lyre from a tortoise shell as a gift for Apollo.

Despite this incident causing tension between them initially, Apollo eventually forgave Hermes and even taught him music in return for the lyre gift.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while not much is known about Maia beyond her relationship with Zeus, her rejection of Apollo had a significant impact on Hermes’ life. It led to a dispute between the two brothers that was ultimately resolved with the creation of the lyre. This event also highlights the complex relationships and power dynamics among the Greek gods.