What Side Was Hermes on in the Trojan War?

Throughout ancient Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the messenger of the gods. He was also considered as the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers. However, when it comes to the Trojan War, there is some uncertainty about which side Hermes was on.

Hermes and His Role in the Trojan War

During the Trojan War, Hermes was not actively involved in any fighting. Instead, he acted as a mediator between the gods who supported either side. According to Homer’s Iliad, Hermes played a crucial role in helping Priam, the king of Troy, retrieve his son Hector’s body from Achilles.

Support for the Trojans

There are some instances where it can be inferred that Hermes supported the Trojans. In Book 24 of The Iliad, Priam mentions that Hermes guided him safely through enemy territory to Achilles’ tent. This suggests that Hermes did not want harm to come to Priam and may have been sympathetic towards his cause.

Additionally, in another instance from Book 5 of The Iliad, Aeneas is saved by a mysterious figure who is believed to be Hermes. This event allowed Aeneas to continue fighting for Troy and shows that Hermes may have wanted to help them win.

Support for the Greeks

On the other hand, there are also instances where it can be inferred that Hermes supported the Greeks. In Book 16 of The Iliad, Patroclus puts on Achilles’ armor and enters battle disguised as him.

When he does this, Apollo sends him back towards his own lines while protecting him from harm. It can be inferred that this happened because Apollo mistook Patroclus for Achilles due to his disguise.

However, when Patroclus removes Achilles’ helmet so that he can breathe better during a fight with Hector’s brother Polydamas; this reveals his true identity. Seeing this, Hector swiftly kills Patroclus, who was fighting for the Greeks. After this, Hermes is said to have led Patroclus’ soul to the underworld.

Conclusion

It is clear that Hermes played a significant role in the Trojan War, but his true allegiances remain unclear. While he may have shown sympathy towards both sides at different times during the war, it is difficult to say which side he ultimately supported. However, one thing is for sure – Hermes was a powerful and respected god whose presence was felt throughout the entire conflict.