Hermes is the god of financial gain, communication and thieves. Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia and Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Hermes’ con artist skill became apparent at his birth – Hermes stole some cattle from Apollo who happened to be Hermes’ older brother. Hermes then lied about it to Apollo who then confronted Hermes’ mother, Maia. Hermes is also a god of luck and a protector of travelers – Hermes watched over merchants who took part in the Olympic games and Hermes invented the four-horse chariot race used in Olympia.
Hermes also helped Perseus slay Medusa by giving him his winged sandals, a magic wallet that could never be emptied and a sword to decapitate Medusa as well as Hermes’ cap which allowed Perseus to not be seen by humans or gods. Hermes was able to spread rumours quickly as he travelled with Hermes Logios – Hermes’ only real weapon that only he could use. There are many stories about Hermes childhood that have been passed down from generation to generation due to the fact that Hermes is the messenger of the Gods of Olympus.
Hermes is also an Olympian god whose reputation has been tarnished due to Hermes’ involvement in many myths where Hermes is involved or helps heroes with their tasks. Hermes’ reputation was not only due to Hermes’ capability for being mischievous but Hermes was actually revered as a God in later times when he began helping mortals in their quests and journeys, whether it be by aiding them with his small bag of riches or by providing speed on Hermes’ winged sandals that allowed him to move swiftly between places.
Hermes Logios, Hermes’ most prized possession was used for all sorts of reasons – Hermes could use Logios to call ghosts from Hades allowing them to speak with living persons or Hermes could use Logios to give life to inanimate objects. Hermes could also use Hermes Logios as a weapon which would allow Hermes to shoot energy bolts (similar to Hermes’ son, Apollon) which Hermes used quite often during his adventures.
This weapon made Hermes capable of both trickery and strength – Hermes had the most powerful weapon at Olympus on his side. Hermes is known for Hermes’ godly speed – Hermes created the popular sport of racing on foot called the Hermaean Games which was named after Hermes himself! During these games all participants were required to sacrifice an animal before they began their race which is why it got its name from Hermes even though Apollo was said to have invented running races long before Hermes ever did.
Hermes was also the God of running and Hermes’ symbol is two wings which Hermes would often draw on his shoes to make Hermes’ feet look like Hermes had wings. Hermes’ influence over speed and travel spread throughout Greece and Europe becoming a popular sport and Hermes became known as Hermes Psychopompos (the guide of the dead) in later times when Hermes ferried souls from Hades back to their homes on Earth.
Hermes was always able to pull off cons, no matter what the situation was – even if it meant that other Gods or mortals could get hurt or killed because of Hermes. Hermes actually started many myths himself by tricking others into situations where people would die without any survivors. The most famous myth involving Hermes and death is one where Hermes tricks Sisyphus into dying and Hermes then pushes Sisyphus away from the judgement place before King Aeacus sentences him to his eternal punishment of having to roll a block of stone up a hill in Hades.
Hermes was always trying to pull one over on others, Hermes even played tricks on Zeus himself who eventually caught Hermes and chained Hermes down with iron handcuffs so Hermes could never escape again. Hermes is also known for Hermes’ roman equivalent – Mercury who was later thought to be Hermes’ son and therefore had all of Hermes’ traits and abilities as well as some of Hermes’ weapons such as Hermes’s sword which became Mercuric Caduceus!
Hermes was a God of mischief and excitement. He was known for inventing measurement, musical instruments, and steeling cattle. Hermes was a God that everyone can relate to. Hermes did small important chores for the Gods, but his main job was delivering messages. Was Hermes a good or a bad God? Hermes the son of Maia, a local Goddess, and Zeus, the ruler of all the Gods, was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. (Rosenberg, Donna) Zeus added Maia to his group of female conquests, which was pretty long. Zeus liked Hermes for his sense of humor and his cleverness so he allowed Hermes to stay on Mount Olympus every once and a while.
Early on Hermes was a very curious child. Hermes decided he wanted to be just like his father Zeus. Hermes used this curiosity for good and bad things, depending on the point of view you have about Hermes. One day Hermes went down to Earth and began stealing some cattle from Apollo, Hermes’ half-brother (Donna Rosenberg). When Hermes got home with the stolen cattle, he had an idea; he would make new instruments out of all the different parts of the cow. Hermes made seven musical instruments: The tortoise shell lyre (lute), two pipes, the reed-pipe (oboe or clarinet), and three types of cymbals (cymbalum, bellangae and sistrum).
Hermes was very proud of his instruments, but he decided to keep it a secret. Hermes wanted the credit for his inventions. Hermes made Hermes-Lyre out of the shell of a tortoise and Hermes’ invention brought joy to all the Gods. The God Apollo heard about Hermes’ new instruments so he went down to Earth with Hermes at Mount Cyllene in Arcadia to confront him about stealing his prized cattle (Donna Rosenberg). Hermes showed Apollo how could play all seven musical instruments at once while dancing around making jokes.
That is when Apollo saw Hermes’ love for music and offered an exchange; if Hermes would give him the lyre then Apollo would give Hermes anything (Donna Rosenberg). Hermes was thrilled that he had everything he wanted, Hermes’ father Zeus was proud of Hermes, Hermes had a new instrument that would bring joy to everyone, and Hermes also got the cattle back from Apollo. Hermes wanted everyone to know his gift so he renamed the lute Hermes-Lyre (Donna Rosenberg). Hermes was the God of mischief and excitement because he did what people wouldn’t do not just to get attention but also for fun.
Hermes also discovered many other things including measuring time. He did this by taking two sticks called gnomons and laying them out in an east-west line so they can cast shadows on each other (Donna Rosenberg). This is how sundials were created. Hermes didn’t stop there though; he went on to invent calipers, the square, the level, and the plumb bob (Donna Rosenberg). Hermes was a practical God that didn’t just want credit for his ideas but also wanted to help others. Hermes invented a new way of giving directions; he took two stakes and drove them into the ground marking North and South.
He would tie a string around those two stakes so people could find their way (Donna Rosenberg). Hermes’ inventions were helpful in Hermes everyday life as well as long after Hermes had died. Hermes loved mischievous deeds. Hermes liked to steal things from other Gods whether it was cattle or women (Rosenberg, Donna). Hermes loved stealing things because no one really got hurt and it always turned out good for Hermes even if Hermes was in some kind of trouble. Hermes loved playing tricks on people especially for his own amusement (Donna Rosenberg).
Hermes loved to play jokes on other Gods, even the ruler Zeus. Hermes had a very special relationship with Zeus; Hermes called himself Zeus’ ‘Favorite Son’. Hermes and Zeus were always teasing each other but Hermes and Zeus could still work together when they needed to (Rosenberg, Donna). Another God that Hermes liked to play pranks on was his half-brother Apollo. One time he stole Apollo’s golden cows and replaced them with cattle made out of clay for which for which Hermes got punished by having to give Apollo all the cows he had stolen back along with two more fake cows (osenberg, Donna).