In Greek mythology, Argus Panoptes was a giant with one hundred eyes that were always awake. He was assigned by the goddess Hera to guard her beloved cow, Io. However, Zeus, who had an affair with Io and transformed her into a cow to hide her from Hera’s wrath, ordered Hermes to kill Argus to free Io.
Some may wonder why Hermes killed Argus instead of finding a peaceful solution. The answer lies in the Greek gods’ complex relationships and political intrigues. Here are some reasons why Hermes killed Argus:
Argus’ Uncompromising Loyalty to Hera
Argus was known for his unwavering loyalty to Hera, who promised him eternal life as long as he guarded Io. This made it difficult for Hermes to negotiate with him and convince him to free Io peacefully. Argus’ loyalty also made him a potential threat to Zeus and other gods who might have wanted to harm Io or use her for their own purposes.
Hermes’ Role as Messenger of the Gods
Hermes was the messenger of the gods and had various duties assigned by them, including executing their orders without questioning them. When Zeus ordered Hermes to kill Argus, Hermes had no choice but to obey. Refusing would have meant going against Zeus’ will and risking his wrath.
The Importance of Io
Io was not just any ordinary cow – she was a nymph whom Zeus fell in love with and turned into a cow out of fear of Hera’s revenge. Killing Argus and freeing Io was necessary for Zeus to protect his lover from Hera’s wrath and maintain his power as the king of gods.
Hermes’ Clever Tactics
Hermes did not approach Argus directly but disguised himself as a shepherd playing music on his flute. He managed to lull Argus to sleep one eye at a time until all hundred eyes were closed.
Then he killed Argus with a sword and freed Io. This showed Hermes’ cunning and resourcefulness in carrying out his duties.
In conclusion, Hermes killed Argus to free Io and protect her from Hera’s wrath, obey Zeus’ orders as the messenger of the gods, deal with Argus’ uncompromising loyalty to Hera, and use his clever tactics to execute his mission. The Greek gods’ relationships were complex and often resulted in violent conflicts that shaped their myths and legends.
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