The ancient Greek mythologies are filled with fascinating stories, and one of the most intriguing tales is that of Hermes killing Argus. Argus was a giant with multiple eyes who served as a watchman for the goddess Hera. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Hermes’ actions and shed some light on this mythical event.
The story of Argus
According to Greek mythology, Argus was a giant who had 100 eyes all over his body, but only a few of them were awake at any given time. Hera, the wife of Zeus, appointed him as her watchman due to his ability to stay alert at all times. Argus was responsible for guarding Io, a priestess of Hera who had been transformed into a cow by Zeus to protect her from Hera’s wrath.
Hermes’ mission
Hermes was sent by Zeus to rescue Io from the clutches of Argus. He knew that it would be impossible to overpower Argus due to his numerous eyes, so he came up with a clever plan. Hermes disguised himself as a shepherd and approached Argus while playing his lyre.
The power of music
Hermes knew that music had the power to soothe even the most savage beasts and used it to put Argus to sleep gradually. As he played his lyre, more and more of Argus’ eyes began closing until they were all shut.
The fatal blow
Once all of Argus’ eyes were closed, Hermes took out his sword and killed him in one swift blow. This act freed Io from her captivity and allowed her to return home safely.
Why did Hermes kill Argus?
The question remains: why did Hermes have to kill Argus? It’s important to note that in Greek mythology, there are no completely good or evil characters. Argus was only doing his duty as a watchman for Hera, and Hermes had to complete his mission to rescue Io.
In some versions of the myth, it’s said that Hera promised to give Argus’ eyes a place in the night sky as a constellation in his honor. In others, it’s believed that Hera was pleased with Hermes’ actions and allowed him to keep the lyre he used to put Argus to sleep.
Conclusion
The story of Hermes killing Argus is one of the most fascinating tales from Greek mythology. It highlights the power of music, the importance of completing missions, and the fact that there are no black and white characters in these stories. By using his wits and skills, Hermes was able to free Io from her captivity and complete his mission successfully.