Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers, is a well-known figure in mythology. He is often depicted as a young man with wings on his sandals and hat, carrying a caduceus. However, there’s one interesting aspect of Hermes that is often overlooked – his pet.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Hermes had a pet named Argeiphontes. The name Argeiphontes means “the slayer of Argus,” which refers to the story of how Hermes rescued Io from the watchful eyes of Argus.
Argeiphontes was not an ordinary pet. He was a rooster with golden wings and the ability to speak.
In some versions of the myth, he was also said to have four eyes. It’s unclear why Hermes chose a rooster as his pet, but it’s believed that roosters were associated with the sun and were seen as symbols of vigilance.
Legend has it that Argeiphontes would accompany Hermes on his travels and act as his messenger when he couldn’t be present himself. The rooster was said to have divine powers that allowed him to communicate with both mortals and gods.
In some stories, Argeiphontes played an important role in helping Hermes complete his tasks. For example, in one myth, he helped Hermes steal Apollo’s cattle by crowing loudly when Apollo came looking for them.
Despite being an unusual choice for a pet, Argeiphontes holds significant importance in Greek mythology. He represents loyalty and companionship- two traits that were highly valued by the ancient Greeks.
In conclusion, while most people are familiar with Hermes’ iconic winged sandals and hat, his loyal companion Argeiphontes deserves recognition too. As a golden-winged rooster with the gift of speech and divine abilities, he played an important role in many of Hermes’ adventures.