Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, communication, and travelers, is one of the most popular and interesting figures in Greek mythology. Known for his winged sandals and iconic caduceus staff, he is often depicted as a youthful messenger with a mischievous grin.
But who is the head of Hermes? Let’s delve deeper into this question.
The Family Tree of Hermes
Hermes was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades. He had many siblings including Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Dionysus, Persephone and more. However, unlike many other gods who had consorts or spouses in Greek mythology, Hermes never got married.
Hermes’ Role in Mythology
As the messenger of the gods, Hermes played a significant role in various myths. He was responsible for guiding souls to Hades’ realm after their death; this task was deemed so important that he was given a special wand called a caduceus to help him navigate through different planes.
Additionally, Hermes was also known as the patron god of thieves and commerce. In fact, he was often asked for help by merchants traveling abroad to protect their goods from robbers. He also had a reputation for being clever and tricky; many stories depict him outsmarting other gods or humans with his wit.
The Head of Hermes
Now coming back to our original question – who is the head of Hermes? Well technically speaking since he never got married or had children he did not have any descendants that could take up his mantle as head. However within Greek mythology there are certain gods that have been closely associated with him over time. One such god is Pan – known as the god of shepherds and flocks- who is believed to be one of Hermes’ sons.
Pan was depicted as a wild, goat-legged creature with horns and was often associated with music and fertility. Some myths suggest that Pan inherited some of Hermes’ cunning nature. Since he was one of the few offspring of Hermes, it is believed that he could take up the mantle of head if required.
Another god who has been associated with Hermes is Dionysus – known as the god of wine and fertility. Some myths suggest that Dionysus was taught by Hermes himself on how to make wine.
Additionally, there are stories that depict them working together to defeat common enemies. While Dionysus may not be a direct descendant or offspring like Pan, he has played an important role in many stories alongside Hermes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there may not be an official ‘head’ of Hermes in Greek mythology, there are certain gods who have been closely associated with him over time such as Pan and Dionysus. As the messenger of the gods and patron god of thieves and commerce, Hermes played an important role in Greek mythology, and continues to be a popular figure in popular culture today.