What Is the Myth of Apollo and Hermes?

The Greek mythology is full of intriguing tales that have captivated people for centuries. One such story is the myth of Apollo and Hermes, two of the most popular Olympian gods. The myth has many variations, but at its core, it is a story about the power of music and wit.

The Myth

According to the myth, Apollo and Hermes were born on the same day to Zeus and Leto. As they grew up, they both showed remarkable talents – Apollo was a master musician, while Hermes was a gifted thief and trickster.

One day, the two brothers had an argument over who was more important. Apollo claimed that he was superior because he could play music that could move even the gods to tears. Hermes retorted by saying that he could steal anything from anyone without getting caught.

To settle their dispute, they decided to hold a contest. They would each perform a task, and whoever did it better would be declared the winner.

The Contest

Apollo went first and played his lyre so beautifully that even the stones wept tears. He then challenged Hermes to steal something from him while he played his music.

Hermes accepted the challenge and asked Apollo to watch over his cattle while he went away to think about what to steal. However, instead of thinking about what to steal, Hermes created a lyre out of a tortoise shell and invented music himself.

When he returned to Apollo’s place with his newly created instrument, he found Apollo still playing his lyre. Hermes then played his lyre in response to Apollo’s music, creating beautiful harmonies that had never been heard before.

The Outcome

When their contest ended, Zeus was called upon to judge who had won. Despite being impressed by both brothers’ skills, Zeus declared Hermes as the winner due to his quick wit and ingenuity in creating an entirely new instrument.

Apollo was gracious in defeat and acknowledged Hermes’ gift of music. From that day on, the two brothers became close friends and often performed together.

Conclusion

The myth of Apollo and Hermes is a classic example of Greek mythology’s fascination with music, wit, and competition. It also highlights the importance of creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in achieving success.

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