Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers, is one of the most fascinating figures in Greek mythology. He is known for his cunning nature and his ability to move swiftly between the mortal world and the realm of the gods.
But what is the most famous story of Hermes? Let’s take a closer look.
The Birth of Hermes
According to Greek mythology, Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia. Maia was one of the seven Pleiades and a goddess of fertility.
Zeus was already married to Hera when he had an affair with Maia. When Hera found out about this affair, she became jealous and tried to punish Maia. However, Hermes was born prematurely and managed to escape from his cradle before Hera could catch him.
The Theft of Apollo’s Cows
One of the most famous stories involving Hermes is the theft of Apollo’s cows. One day, Hermes saw a herd of cows belonging to Apollo grazing in a field near Mount Olympus.
He decided to steal them but didn’t want anyone to know that he had done it. So he put shoes on the cows backwards so that they would leave no tracks behind.
When Apollo discovered that his cows were missing, he went looking for them. He eventually came across Hermes who was playing a lyre made from a tortoise shell. When Apollo asked him if he had seen his cows, Hermes denied knowing anything about them.
However, Apollo wasn’t fooled by Hermes’ lies and eventually found the cows hidden in a cave. When he confronted Hermes about it again, Hermes finally admitted that he had stolen them but offered Apollo his lyre as compensation.
The Invention of the Lyre
As mentioned earlier, Hermes played a lyre made from a tortoise shell when he was caught stealing Apollo’s cows. The invention of this musical instrument is another famous story associated with Hermes.
According to legend, while Hermes was wandering through the woods one day, he came across a tortoise. He killed it and removed its shell. He then attached strings to the shell and invented the lyre.
When Apollo saw this instrument, he was so impressed that he traded his herd of cattle for it. This is how Hermes became known as the god of music and arts.
Conclusion
The stories of Hermes are fascinating, and they reveal much about the Greek god’s character. From his cunning nature to his musical talents, there is no doubt that Hermes was one of the most interesting figures in Greek mythology. The stories of his adventures continue to captivate people today and will likely do so for generations to come.