As a result, Hermes earned himself the title ‘Argeiphontes’ which means ‘Slayer of Argos’. Hermes played beautiful music which lulled Argos to sleep and as soon as the giant was nodding off, he took his sword and slayed him. Zeus had to free Io so he sent Hermes to rescue her from the clutches of Argos. Hera then appointed the giant Argos to guard the animal. She demanded the heifer as a gift and Zeus had no option other than to let her have it. However, Hera knew of her husband’s promiscuity and was not deceived. Zeus’ wife Hera was quick to appear on the scene but before she could see anything, Zeus transformed Io into a white cow to hide her. The story began with Zeus’ secret affair with Io, the Argive Nymph. One of the most celebrated mythical episodes involving Hermes is the killing of the many-eyed giant, Argos Panoptes. Apollo gave him a shining whip in exchange, putting him in charge of the cattle herds. However, Hermes could only keep the herd if he gifted his lyre to Apollo which he willingly did. This is how he came to be associated with thieves.Īfter a hearing held by Zeus and the rest of the Olympian gods, Hermes was allowed to keep the herd which consisted of only 48 cattle since he’d already killed two of them and used their intestines to make strings for the lyre, a musical instrument he’s credited for having invented. He hid the herd in a large cave in Arcadia for several days until satyrs discovered it. Although he was a baby, he was strong and clever and he covered up the herd’s tracks by attaching bark to their shoes, which made it difficult for anyone to follow them. When he was just a baby, he stole a herd of fifty sacred cattle that belonged to his half-brother Apollo. Hermes was an impish god who was always searching for constant amusement. He was also a psychopomp, and as such had the role of escorting the newly dead to their place in the Underworld. He had the ability to make people fall asleep using his staff. Hermes was immortal, powerful and his unique skill was speed. In certain myths, he is depicted as a clever trickster who would sometimes outwit the gods for fun or for the benefit of humankind. He was also the god of athletic contests, heralds, diplomacy, gymnasiums, astrology and astronomy. Hermes was the protector and patron of herdsmen, travellers, orators, literature, poets, sports and trade. What Was Hermes the God Of?Īpart from being a messenger, Hermes was a god in his own right. Hermes is often depicted wearing a winged helmet, winged sandals and carrying a wand, known as the caduceus. Hermes had several children including Pan, Hermaphroditus (with Aphrodite), Eudoros, Angelia and Evander. His consorts include Aphrodite, Merope, Dryope and Peitho. Cyllene.Īccording to some sources, his name is derived from the Greek word ‘herma’ meaning a heap of stones like those that were used in the country as landmarks or to indicate the boundaries of the land.Īlthough he was a god of fertility, Hermes didn’t marry and had few affairs, compared to most other Greek gods. Hermes was the son of Maia, one of the seven daughters of Atlas, and Zeus, the god of the sky.
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