Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, communication, and travelers, is a well-known figure in ancient Greek mythology. He is often depicted as a young man with winged sandals and a winged helmet, carrying a caduceus – a staff with two snakes intertwined around it.
While Hermes is considered one of the most beloved gods in Greek mythology, he also had his share of enemies. In this article, we will explore who the enemy of Hermes was.
Who Is the Enemy of Hermes?
Hermes had many enemies among the gods and mortals alike. One of his most famous enemies was Apollo – the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. According to legend, Apollo became jealous of Hermes’ wit and intelligence and challenged him to a musical competition.
In this competition, Apollo played his lyre while singing beautiful songs that enchanted all who heard them. However, when it was Hermes’ turn to perform, he played his own lyre made from a turtle shell and sang satirical songs that mocked Apollo’s divine status. Despite this mockery, Apollo still acknowledged Hermes’ talent but could not forgive him for insulting him in front of others.
Another enemy of Hermes was Argus Panoptes – a giant with 100 eyes all over his body who was assigned by Hera to watch over Io – one of Zeus’s many lovers whom Hera had turned into a cow out of jealousy. To rescue Io from Argus’s watchful eyes, Hermes used his cunning skills to lull Argus to sleep by playing soothing music on his flute. He then killed Argus and rescued Io.
Additionally, Tiresias – the blind prophet who advised Odysseus during his journey home from Troy – was also an enemy of Hermes. According to legend, Tiresias became blind after seeing Athena naked while bathing in a river.
As punishment for breaking her chastity vow, Athena turned Tiresias into a woman. However, seven years later, Tiresias saw two snakes mating and struck them with his staff, turning back into a man. This transformation caught Hermes’ attention, and he became jealous of Tiresias’ ability to change gender at will.
In conclusion, Hermes – the Greek god of commerce, communication, and travelers – had many enemies among the gods and mortals alike. Apollo, Argus Panoptes, and Tiresias were some of his most famous enemies who challenged him in various ways. Despite this animosity towards Hermes, he remained one of the most beloved gods in Greek mythology due to his wit, intelligence, and cunning skills that often saved the day.