The History of Hermes
As one of the most prominent Greek deities, Hermes (known as Mercury to the Romans) fulfilled numerous duties, but was most widely acknowledged as the messenger of the gods and the guide of the recently deceased to the Underworld.
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Roles
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In addition to his place as a herald of the gods and a ferryman of souls of the dead to the afterlife, Hermes was also known as the "good shepherd," serving as the god of herds and flocks as well as a protector of migrants, sportsmen, pilgrims and thieves.
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Attributes
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Born to Zeus and the mountain nymph Maia, Hermes is usually portrayed as a rambunctious yet benevolent deity. As the god of all types of wayfarers--herdsman, traders, thieves, travelers, musicians and athletes--he played pranks on his fellow gods in adolescence before being credited with inventing the lyre and the sport of wrestling.
Appearance
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Of all of the gods of the Greek pantheon, Hermes was the most popular subject of sculpture. The image of him bearing a caduceus and clad in winged shoes and a helmet was among the most ubiquitous symbols of ancient Greece.
Legends
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Because of his immense popularity, Hermes is featured in many of Greek mythology's most memorable tales. At one point or another, he was credited with rescuing Odysseus from Circe, serving as a messenger to Prometheus, escorting Persephone back from Hades and informing Perseus of how to slay the gorgon Medusa.
Sacred Objects
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Sacred piles of stones, consecrated in the name of Hermes, delineated waypoints on ancient Greek roads. Furthermore, stone pillars, known in Greek as "hermen," were erected in front of Greek homes to prevent their inhabitants from harm.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of João Máximo
