Hermes

Messenger of the Gods

Hermes was the son of Zeus and a goddess called Maia, and he started causing trouble almost immediately. According to a wonderful ancient hymn, Hermes climbed out of his cradle on the very day he was born. He found a tortoise and used its shell to invent the first lyre. Then he wandered off and stole Apollo’s cattle. To make the herd difficult to track, he cleverly confused their footprints before sneaking back into his cradle and pretending to be an innocent baby. Apollo was not fooled for long and eventually dragged the tiny thief in front of Zeus.

Zeus ordered Hermes to return the cattle, but the story had a surprisingly friendly ending. Apollo heard Hermes playing the lyre and loved the instrument so much that they exchanged gifts and became friends. Hermes grew into the messenger of the gods. He could travel incredibly quickly between Mount Olympus, the human world and even the Underworld. He delivered Zeus’s orders, protected travellers and traders and guided the souls of dead people towards their new home. Hermes also helped heroes. He gave Odysseus a magical plant to protect him from Circe’s spell and appears in stories involving Perseus, Priam and the baby Dionysus.

Hermes was connected with roads, doorways and boundaries because he was always moving from one place to another. His famous equipment includes his travelling hat, magical sandals and the caduceus, a herald’s staff usually shown with two snakes. The caduceus is often confused today with the one-snake Staff of Asclepius, which is the proper ancient symbol of healing. The Romans called Hermes Mercury. I like Hermes because he is powerful without needing to be the strongest person in the room. He watches what is happening, thinks quickly and usually finds a clever way through. He is also proof that being a newborn baby is apparently no excuse for not inventing a musical instrument, stealing a herd of cattle and starting a career as an Olympian god.

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