Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and boundaries is one of the most popular deities in Greek mythology. He is known for his swiftness and cunning, which made him a messenger for the gods.
Though he is a well-known character in Greek mythology, many people are not aware of his family life. In this article, we will explore who Hermes’ wife and kids were.
Who Was Hermes?
Before we get to his family life, let’s briefly discuss who Hermes was. He was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades.
He was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, Greece. As a baby, he showed exceptional intelligence and speed by stealing Apollo’s cattle on his first day of life.
As he grew older, he became known as the messenger of the gods because of his ability to travel quickly between worlds. He was also associated with commerce and trade because he could move goods quickly from one place to another.
Hermes’ Wife
Hermes had several lovers throughout his life, but only one wife. Her name was Merope or sometimes called Dryope or Chione (depending on the source). She was a mortal woman who lived in Tanagra in Boeotia.
Merope was known for her beauty and her musical talents. According to some sources, she met Hermes while she was singing in a temple dedicated to him. They fell in love and got married soon after.
Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long because Merope died shortly after giving birth to their son Pan.
Hermes’ Children
Hermes had several children with different women throughout his life. Here are some of his most well-known children:
- Pan: As mentioned earlier, Pan was Hermes’ son with Merope. He was the god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks. He was often depicted as a satyr with goat horns and legs.
- Autolycus: Autolycus was Hermes’ son with Chione.
He was known for his thieving abilities and often stole from other people.
- Eudoros: Eudoros was Hermes’ son with Polymele, a mortal woman. He was a soldier who fought in the Trojan War.
- Abderus: Abderus was Hermes’ son with Ophelestes. He helped Heracles on some of his quests but unfortunately died while trying to tame the man-eating mares of Diomedes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes had only one wife named Merope, who died shortly after giving birth to their son Pan. Throughout his life, he had several children with different women, including Autolycus, Eudoros, and Abderus. Despite his many romantic relationships, his family life is not as well-known as his other exploits in Greek mythology.