Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers, is known for his cunning and mischievous nature. He is often depicted as a swift-winged messenger carrying a caduceus, a symbol of commerce.
However, there’s more to Hermes than meets the eye. He was notorious for stealing various objects from gods and mortals alike.
One of the most famous thefts attributed to Hermes is the theft of Apollo’s cattle. As per the legend, Hermes was just a baby when he sneaked out of his cradle and stole Apollo’s prized cattle.
To cover his tracks, he made shoes for the cattle that left no footprints and led them backwards to a hidden cave. When Apollo found out about this theft, he was furious and demanded his cattle back. However, Hermes managed to persuade Apollo by playing music on his lyre.
Another famous object stolen by Hermes was Zeus’ thunderbolt. Zeus’ thunderbolt was one of the most powerful weapons in Greek mythology that only he could wield.
However, during one of Zeus’ naps, Hermes stole the thunderbolt from him and hid it in a secret location. When Zeus woke up and realized that his thunderbolt was missing, he suspected Poseidon to be behind the theft and went to confront him. It was only after Hermes revealed himself as the thief that Zeus got his weapon back.
Apart from these famous thefts, Hermes has also stolen other objects such as Aphrodite’s girdle that gave her irresistible charm; Persephone’s belt that gave her control over life and death; Hades’ helmet of invisibility; and even Poseidon’s trident.
In conclusion, Hermes may have been known as a messenger god but he was also an expert thief who had stolen some of the most powerful objects in Greek mythology from gods who were considered invincible. His cunning nature allowed him to get away with these crimes, and sometimes even persuaded the victims to let him keep the stolen items. Hermes’ thieving ways may not have been morally right, but they certainly made him a legend in Greek mythology.
- Famous objects stolen by Hermes:
- Apollo’s cattle
- Zeus’ thunderbolt
- Aphrodite’s girdle
- Persephone’s belt
- Hades’ helmet of invisibility
- Poseidon’s trident
Mythical legends surrounding Hermes’ thefts:
According to Greek mythology, when Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle, he made shoes for them that left no footprints and led them backwards to a hidden cave.
Another time, when Zeus’ thunderbolt was stolen by Hermes, Zeus suspected Poseidon to be behind the theft. These legends show how cunning and skilled a thief Hermes was.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Hermes may have been known as a messenger god but he was also an expert thief who had stolen some of the most powerful objects in Greek mythology from gods who were considered invincible.