In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and athletes. He was also famous for being a trickster and was known to pull off some of the most daring heists in mythology. One such incident is the story of how he stole Apollo’s cattle.
It all began one day when Hermes saw Apollo’s herd grazing in a field. Being a mischievous god, he decided to steal them.
But why did he do it? Let’s find out.
The Motive
There are many theories as to why Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle. Some say that he did it just for fun or to prove his mettle as a thief. Others believe that he did it to impress Zeus, his father.
But the most popular theory is that Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle because he wanted to make an offering to the gods. You see, at that time, offerings were an essential part of Greek religious rituals, and Hermes wanted to make an offering himself.
However, being the god of commerce and thieves meant that he didn’t have any possessions of his own to offer. So he decided to steal Apollo’s cattle instead.
The Theft
Hermes knew that stealing Apollo’s cattle wouldn’t be easy. After all, Apollo was one of the most powerful gods and had many supernatural abilities.
But being a trickster himself, Hermes came up with a plan. He fashioned sandals out of tree bark and put them on his feet so that no one could track him down.
He then drove the cattle towards a nearby river and made them walk through it so that their tracks would be erased. He also disguised himself by putting branches on his head so that no one would recognize him.
Apollo soon realized that his cattle were missing and went in search of them. When he came across an old man who told him about a young man driving some cows, Apollo realized that it was Hermes who had stolen his cattle.
The Punishment
Apollo was furious and demanded that Hermes return his cattle immediately. But Hermes refused, claiming that he needed them for a religious offering.
After much arguing, the two gods decided to take their case to Zeus, the king of the gods. Zeus listened to their arguments and decided to rule in favor of Hermes.
However, Zeus also ordered Hermes to return Apollo’s cattle and make a sacrifice as an apology. Hermes agreed and returned the cattle. He then made a lyre out of a tortoise shell and offered it to Apollo as a symbol of his regret.
And so ends the story of how Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle. It is one of the most popular stories in Greek mythology and teaches us about the importance of offerings and making amends for our mistakes.