In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and shepherds. However, he was not always a respected deity. In fact, one of his most infamous actions was stealing cattle from his older half-brother, Apollo.
According to myth, Hermes was born to Zeus and the nymph Maia. As a newborn, he showed an incredible aptitude for mischief and trickery. One day, while still in his cradle, he snuck out of his mother’s cave and came across a herd of cattle belonging to Apollo.
Being the mischievous god that he was, Hermes decided to steal the cattle and bring them back to his cave. He did so by using his godly powers to make the cows walk backwards so their hoofprints would be facing in the opposite direction. He also put makeshift shoes made of bark on their feet so they wouldn’t leave any tracks.
When Apollo found out that someone had stolen his cattle, he immediately suspected Hermes. He confronted him about it and demanded that he return them.
Hermes denied any involvement at first but eventually confessed when Apollo threatened him with violence. However, instead of giving back the cattle outright, Hermes offered a compromise – he would give Apollo a lyre that he had invented in exchange for the stolen herd.
Apollo was pleased with this deal and accepted it. From then on, Hermes became known as not only a trickster but also as a cunning negotiator.
So why did Hermes steal the cattle? Some scholars speculate that it was simply part of his nature as a trickster god. Others suggest that it may have been an act of rebellion against Apollo’s authority or even just a way for him to prove his worthiness as a god.
Regardless of his motives, this myth has become one of the most well-known stories about Hermes and has cemented his reputation as both a thief and master negotiator.
8 Related Question Answers Found
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the patron of travelers, thieves, and merchants. However, he was not always a respected god. In fact, when he was just a baby, he committed his first theft by stealing Apollo’s cattle.
In Greek mythology, Hermes was known as the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers. He was also considered to be a messenger of the gods. However, there is a story that tells of how Hermes stole the cattle of Apollo.
Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and messenger of the gods, was known for his cunning and wit. In one of his most famous exploits, he stole cattle from his older half-brother, Apollo. Here’s how it happened:
The Plan
One day, Hermes came across a herd of cattle belonging to Apollo.
The story of Hermes stealing Apollo’s cattle is a well-known tale in Greek mythology. According to the legend, Hermes, the god of commerce and thieves, stole a herd of cattle from his half-brother Apollo, the god of music and prophecy. But why did Hermes steal Apollo’s cattle?
In Greek mythology, Hermes, the messenger god, is known for his cleverness and trickery. One of his most famous deeds was stealing the cattle of Apollo, the god of music and prophecy. But why did he do it?
In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods, the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers. However, what many people don’t know is that he was also a master thief. One of his most famous heists was when he stole Apollo’s cattle.
In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the god of thieves and travelers. He was known to be a cunning and mischievous god who could easily trick others. One of his most famous exploits was the theft of Apollo’s cattle.
In ancient Greek mythology, there’s a famous story of how the god Hermes stole cattle from his half-brother Apollo. But the question remains: Who saw Hermes steal the cattle? According to the myth, Apollo discovered that his cattle were missing and immediately suspected Hermes.