Who Is Hermes Related To?

Hermes is one of the most fascinating gods in Greek mythology. He is commonly known as the messenger of the gods, the god of commerce, and the patron of travelers and thieves.

But who is Hermes related to? In this article, we will explore the family tree of Hermes and his relationships with other gods.

The Parents of Hermes

Hermes was born to Zeus, the king of gods, and Maia, a nymph. Maia was one of the daughters of Atlas, a Titan who was condemned to hold up the sky after losing to Zeus in a war between Titans and Olympians.

The Siblings of Hermes

Hermes had many siblings from both his father Zeus and his mother Maia.

  • Zeus’ children: Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Persephone, Dionysus, Hercules, Helen of Troy, etc.
  • Maia’s children: None other than Hermes himself.

Among all his siblings, Apollo was perhaps the closest to Hermes. They were often depicted together in art and mythology. In fact, some myths suggest that Apollo taught Hermes how to play music while Hermes taught Apollo how to be mischievous.

The Children of Hermes

Hermes had multiple children with various partners throughout his life. Some notable ones include:

  • Pan: The god Pan was born from a union between Hermes and a nymph named Dryope.
  • Autolycus: Autolycus was a famous thief like his father who learned thievery skills from him.
  • Eudoros: Eudoros was one of the warriors who fought in the Trojan War. He was rumored to be the son of Hermes.

The Relationships of Hermes with Other Gods

Apart from his family members, Hermes had close relationships with several other gods, including:

  • Aphrodite: The goddess of love and beauty had a soft spot for Hermes. They were sometimes depicted as lovers in art and literature.
  • Dionysus: The god of wine and ecstasy was a friend of Hermes.

    They often traveled together and shared the love for partying and having fun.

  • Prometheus: The Titan who created humans and gave them fire was a mentor to Hermes. He taught him many things, including how to read the stars, how to make music, and how to heal wounds.

Conclusion

Hermes was born into a family of gods and nymphs. He had several siblings from both his mother Maia and his father Zeus.

Apollo was perhaps his closest sibling. Throughout his life, he had many children with various partners. Apart from his family members, he had close relationships with Aphrodite, Dionysus, Prometheus, and many other gods.