

As a god of good fortune, he presided over some forms of popular divination, public competitions, and games of dice.Īppearance In archaic art he was represented as a bearded man wearing a long chiton (loose tunic), and often a cap or broad-brimmed hat, and winged sandals, but he sometimes appeared in his early pastoral character, bearing a sheep on his shoulders, or as a messenger with a herald's staff (decorated with ribbons) or caduceus (staff entwined with serpents – a development from the ribbons). Identified with the Roman Mercury and ancient Egyptian Thoth, he protected thieves, travellers, and merchants. Homer's Odyssey presented the god as the conductor of the dead (shades) to Hades, in which capacity he became associated with the underworld and dreams.
#HERMES GREEK GOD CODE#
If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content.In Greek mythology, the messenger of the gods son of Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades. He was the god of boundaries, both literal and figurative.He was the only one other than Hades and Persephone who was allowed to leave the underworld without consequence.On the day of his birth, Hermes stole cattle from Apollo. After Eurydice is granted one day on earth with her husband, it is Hermes who escorts her back to the underworld. Hermes played a part in the infamous love story of Orpheus and Eurydice.Hermes talked the nymph Calypso into releasing Odysseus.Hermes freed Io, one of Zeus’ lovers, from the giant Argus.Hermaphroditus (also known as Aphroditus) was an androgynous deity and the offspring of Hermes and Aphrodite.

He met his fate when he was devoured by the Mares of Diomedes.

More specifically, he was known as a patron of poetry. Hermes was the god of shepherds, land travel, and literature.He primarily served as the herald or messenger of the gods.Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades.

In some myths Hermes is also depicted as a trickster where he would outwit the gods either for the good of humankind or for his own personal amusement and satisfaction.īoth Homer and Hesiod portrayed Hermes as the author of skilled or deceptive acts, and also as a benefactor of mortals. He is also the patron and protector of travelers, herdsmen, thieves, orators and wit, literature and poets, athletics and sports, invention and trade. It is this skill that made him a luck-bringing messenger to the gods and intercessor between mortals and the divine. He was the second youngest Olympian god and was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades and daughter of the Titan Atlas.Īs the god of boundaries and transitions, Hermes was known to be quick and cunning and had the ability to freely move between the mortal and divine worlds. Hermes was one of the 12 Olympian Gods and was god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld. Greek God of Trade, Eloquence and Messenger of the Gods
