Hermes, the Greek God of commerce, communication, and travelers, is one of the most well-known figures in ancient Greek mythology. He is also known as the messenger of the gods and has played a significant role in many myths.
However, not much is known about his family background. In this article, we will delve into the question- who were Hermes parents and siblings?
Parents of Hermes
Hermes was born to Zeus, the king of the gods and Maia, a nymph daughter of Atlas. Maia was known for her beauty and grace and was one of the seven Pleiades- a group of seven sisters who are associated with stars in Greek mythology. Zeus was known for his love affairs with mortal women and goddesses alike.
Despite being born to such influential parents, Hermes’ childhood was quite different from what one might expect. He was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia and spent most of his early years there.
Hermes’ Siblings
Hermes had many siblings as Zeus had numerous affairs. However, his most famous sibling is Apollo- The God of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. Apollo and Hermes were half-brothers as they shared Zeus as their father but had different mothers.
According to Greek mythology, Apollo discovered that Hermes had stolen some cattle from him when they were both young. In retaliation, Apollo took Hermes to court before their father Zeus. However, Hermes managed to charm everyone with his wit and humor and eventually returned the cattle to Apollo.
Apart from Apollo, Hermes had many other siblings like Ares (God of War), Athena (Goddess of Wisdom), Artemis (Goddess of Hunting), Dionysus (God of Wine), Persephone (Queen of the Underworld), Hercules (Greek Hero), Helen Of Troy (Most Beautiful Woman In The World), and many more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia and had many siblings due to Zeus’ numerous affairs. Despite being the son of the king of the gods, Hermes had a humble upbringing in a cave on Mount Cyllene.
His most famous sibling was Apollo, with whom he had an amusing rivalry. The stories of Hermes and his family continue to be popular in modern-day culture and have inspired numerous books, movies, and TV shows.