Who Is Hermes Father and Mother?

Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and athletes is one of the most popular gods in Greek mythology. He is often depicted as a young man with winged sandals and a winged hat.

But who are his parents? Let’s take a closer look.

The Parentage of Hermes

According to Greek mythology, Hermes was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades and daughter of Atlas. However, there are other versions of his parentage.

The Homeric Hymn to Hermes

In the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, it is said that he was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. His mother was Maia, daughter of Atlas and one of the Oceanids.

Fun fact: The Homeric Hymns are a collection of ancient Greek hymns that were written in honor of various gods.

The Alcman Fragments

In another version found in Alcman fragments (circa 600 BCE), Hermes is said to be the son of Zeus and Dryope.

The Orphic Hymns

According to the Orphic Hymns (a set of religious texts from ancient Greece), Hermes was born to Zeus and Persephone.

Hermes’ Role in Greek Mythology

Regardless of his parentage, Hermes played an important role in Greek mythology. He was known as a protector and patron saint for travelers and merchants. He was also known as a trickster god who could easily deceive others with his wit and cunning.

Fun Fact: The word “hermeneutics” comes from “Hermes,” reflecting his role as messenger between worlds or between deities and mortals.

In Conclusion

Hermes, the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and athletes had a complex parentage. While he is most commonly known as the son of Zeus and Maia, other versions of his parentage exist. Despite this ambiguity, he remains an important figure in Greek mythology due to his role as a protector and patron saint for travelers and merchants.