The Greek mythology is full of fascinating tales about gods and goddesses, heroes and villains, and creatures of all kinds. One of the most intriguing characters in this pantheon is the demigod son of Hermes. Known for his cunning and agility, he is an enigmatic figure whose exploits have been recounted in countless stories.
Who is Hermes?
Before we delve into the story of his son, let’s first understand who Hermes was. In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and sports.
He was also the messenger of the gods who could move swiftly between worlds thanks to his winged sandals. He was depicted as a young man with a winged hat or helmet, a caduceus (a staff with two snakes coiled around it), and sometimes carrying a purse or moneybag.
The Birth of the Demigod Son
As the story goes, Hermes had a son with a mortal woman named Chione. The boy was born with exceptional abilities that were attributed to his divine heritage. His name was Autolycus which means “the wolf itself” in Greek.
Autolycus’ Abilities
Autolycus inherited some unique powers from his father such as:
- Cunning: Like his father, Autolycus had an innate ability to deceive and outsmart others.
- Thievery: He could steal anything he wanted without being caught.
- Agility: He had incredible speed and dexterity that made him almost impossible to catch.
These abilities made Autolycus famous across Greece as one of its greatest thieves.
The Exploits of Autolycus
One of Autolycus’ most famous exploits was stealing the cattle of his uncle, the god Apollo. He managed to disguise the animals by changing their colors and markings so that they could not be recognized.
When Apollo realized what had happened, he was furious and demanded that Autolycus return the cattle. However, Autolycus managed to outsmart him once again by offering him a gift of a lyre that he had also stolen.
Another time, Autolycus stole a necklace from his cousin, Sisyphus. When Sisyphus found out what had happened, he accused Autolycus of the crime. However, Autolycus managed to convince Sisyphus that he was innocent by tricking him into believing that he had actually found the necklace rather than stolen it.
The Legacy of Autolycus
Autolycus’ exploits were so famous that they inspired other legendary thieves such as Odysseus and Robin Hood. In fact, Autolycus himself appears in Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” where he is described as a “master thief.”
In conclusion, the demigod son of Hermes represents the cunning and agility that are associated with his divine father. His exploits continue to inspire us today as we marvel at his ability to outsmart even the gods themselves.