When we think of Hermes, we often think of the Greek god of commerce and messenger to the other gods. But who are his relatives? Let’s take a closer look at the family tree of Hermes.
Parents
Hermes was born to Zeus, king of the gods, and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades. Maia was a nymph and daughter of Atlas, a Titan who held up the sky. Zeus fell in love with Maia and they had Hermes as their child.
Siblings
Hermes had many half-siblings due to Zeus’ many affairs. Some of his most well-known siblings include:
- Athena – goddess of wisdom and warfare
- Apollo – god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing
- Ares – god of war
- Artemis – goddess of the hunt and childbirth
- Hephaestus – god of fire and craftsmanship
- Dionysus – god of wine, parties, and ecstasy
Children
Hermes had many children as well through various relationships. Some notable children include:
- Pan – half-man, half-goat nature god
- Abderus – helped Heracles during one of his labors but was killed by the Mares of Diomedes
- Autolycus – master thief who taught Odysseus how to steal cattle from the Cyclops Polyphemus
- Eurydice – wife of Orpheus who died from a snake bite while fleeing from Aristaeus’ advances
Conclusion
As we can see, Hermes had a large and diverse family tree. From his parents, to his many half-siblings, to his own children, he was surrounded by a rich network of divine relationships. It’s no wonder he was such an important figure in Greek mythology.