Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, travel, and thieves, is one of the twelve Olympian gods. He is an important figure in Greek mythology and is often depicted as a young man wearing winged sandals and a winged hat.
Hermes has a unique relationship with other gods in Greek mythology. Let’s take a closer look at the role he played in their lives.
Hermes and Zeus
Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven daughters of Atlas. As Zeus’ son, Hermes was granted many privileges that other gods did not have.
He was often called upon by Zeus to deliver messages to other gods or mortal beings. In fact, Hermes became known as “the messenger of the gods.”
Hermes and Apollo
In addition to being Zeus’ son, Hermes also had a close relationship with Apollo. This relationship was not always friendly though.
According to legend, Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle when he was just a baby. When Apollo found out about this theft, he demanded that Hermes return his cattle immediately. However, instead of returning them right away, Hermes played his lyre for Apollo to distract him while he made his escape.
Despite this rocky start to their relationship, Apollo and Hermes eventually became friends and even shared some common interests such as music and poetry.
Hermes and Pan
Hermes also had a close relationship with Pan, the Greek god of shepherds and flocks. Together they were known as “the two Arcadian gods.” They shared many traits such as mischievousness and love for music.
Hermes and Aphrodite
One of the most interesting relationships that Hermes had was with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. According to legend, Aphrodite fell in love with Adonis but feared he would be unfaithful.
So she asked Hermes to guard him and keep him safe from harm. However, despite Hermes’ best efforts, Adonis was killed by a wild boar while hunting.
Hermes and Persephone
Another interesting relationship that Hermes had was with Persephone, the queen of the underworld. According to legend, when Hades kidnapped Persephone and took her to the underworld, Hermes was sent to negotiate her release. He successfully convinced Hades to let her return to the world of the living for half of each year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes had many unique relationships with other gods in Greek mythology. As Zeus’ son and “the messenger of the gods,” he played an important role in delivering messages between gods and mortals. His relationships with other gods such as Apollo, Pan, Aphrodite, and Persephone were complex but also added to his overall significance in Greek mythology.