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? Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing story.
The Backstory
To understand why Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle, we need to go back to their childhood. Zeus, the king of gods, had many affairs and fathered numerous children.
One of his affairs was with a nymph named Maia, who gave birth to Hermes. As soon as he was born, Hermes showed remarkable intelligence and wit. He was mischievous and curious, always getting into trouble.
Apollo was Zeus’ son from another affair with Leto. Apollo was known for his beauty, intelligence, and musical talent. He could play the lyre so well that even the animals would stop to listen.
The Theft
One day, while tending his cattle near Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, Apollo discovered that some of his prized cows were missing. He searched high and low but couldn’t find them anywhere. Meanwhile, Hermes had stolen the cows but cleverly disguised their tracks by making them walk backward.
When Apollo finally caught up with him and accused him of stealing his cows, Hermes denied it at first. But when Apollo threatened him with dire consequences if he didn’t return the cows immediately, Hermes confessed and led him to where he had hidden them.
The Motive
So why did Hermes steal Apollo’s cattle? There are several theories about this.
Some say that it was just a prank played by Hermes on his half-brother out of jealousy or boredom. Others believe that it was an act of revenge for some previous injustice inflicted upon him by Apollo.
But the most popular theory is that Hermes stole the cows to offer them as a sacrifice to the gods. Hermes was a trickster god, but he was also a god of commerce and fertility. By offering the cows as a sacrifice, he hoped to gain favor from the gods and ensure prosperity for his future endeavors.
The Aftermath
Apollo was furious with Hermes for stealing his cows but eventually forgave him when he heard him play the lyre. Hermes had invented this musical instrument by using a tortoise shell and cowhide, which impressed Apollo.
In return, Apollo gave Hermes his golden wand, which had magical powers, and appointed him as the messenger of the gods. From then on, Hermes became an important figure in Greek mythology, revered for his wit, charm, and cunning.
Conclusion
The story of Hermes stealing Apollo’s cattle is not just a tale of thievery but also a lesson in Greek mythology. It teaches us about sibling rivalry, jealousy, cunningness, and forgiveness.
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In conclusion, we should remember that even though Hermes stole Apollo’s cattle in this story, it’s not always about who wins or loses in life; sometimes it’s about learning from our mistakes and forgiving those who wrong us.