Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and athletes, is one of the twelve Olympian gods. He is known for his cunning and swiftness and has been depicted in various artworks as a young man wearing a winged hat and sandals.
While Hermes is famous for his mischievous nature, not much is known about his siblings. In this article, we will explore who are the siblings of Hermes.
The Parents of Hermes
Before we delve into discussing the siblings of Hermes, we need to know about his parents. According to Greek mythology, Hermes is the son of Zeus, the king of gods and goddesses and Maia, one of the Pleiades.
The Siblings of Hermes
Hermes had several siblings from both his mother’s and father’s side. Let’s take a look at each one:
Apollo
Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto. He was born on the island of Delos along with his twin sister Artemis. Apollo was known for his beauty and was considered as the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine.
Ares
Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was known as the god of war and violence. He usually carried a spear or sword in battle.
Athena
Athena was born fully grown from her father Zeus’ head after he swallowed her mother Metis. She was known as the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice.
Dionysus
Dionysus was born to Zeus and Semele. He was known as the god of wine-making and wine itself.
Hephaestus
Hephaestus was born to Hera alone, without the help of Zeus. He was known as the god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, and fire.
Hercules
Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene. He was known for his incredible strength and is known for performing twelve labors that were imposed upon him as a form of penance.
Persephone
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was known as the goddess of vegetation, fertility, and springtime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes had several siblings from both his mother’s and father’s side. Each sibling had their unique traits and qualities that defined them. While Hermes is considered as one of the most famous gods in Greek mythology, it is essential to acknowledge his siblings who played an equally important role in Greek folklore.