Hermes



Hermes: An Ancient Celebrity Have you ever wondered how a hero was born? What they did in their early days? What their history was and how they grew to be the famous people they are today. Every story must have a beginning. Hermes has been traveling the world ever since he was a day old. His journey started with a secret love affair between a mighty god named Zeus, and a beautiful Pleiades named Maia. The two had no idea that they were about to create one of the most popular gods in Greek mythology. Hermes is a very important god in Greek mythology. He is the messenger of the gods, particularly of Zeus and he guides souls to Hades. He is god of travelers and roads, of luck, of music, and eloquence, of merchants and commerce, of young men, and of cheats and thieves. He is credited with having invented the lyre and the shepherd's flute. His most typical monument, the Herma or Herm, is a stone pillar which usually has a carved head on top and a phallus in the center, probably representing the god in his original role as the giver of fertility. The history of Hermes is a long and interesting journey. He was born to Zeus and Maia, Maia was one of The Pleiades. The Pleiades were seven beautiful mountain nymphs, daughters of Atlas. Loved by gods, they became the ancestresses of many of the royal families of Greece. Because of a popular statue, Hermes, is the most familiar god. Do to the fact that he had wings placed on his sandals and low-crowned hat; he was graceful and quick in his movement. His magic wand, the Caduceus, appeared in Babylonia relating to wisdom, fertility, and healing. When Hermes was but a day old, he snuck out of his bundle and stole his brother’s, Apollo’s, sheep herd. Using a tortoise shell and the intestines of one of the sheep, Hermes created the Lyre. When Zeus found him, he commanded Hermes to return Apollo’s sheep. Hermes won Apollo’s forgiveness by giving him the Lyre.

Hermes plays an important part in the myth of Io. One day, a young and beautiful woman named Io, daughter of Inachus, King of Argos, caught the eye of Zeus, a very great and powerful god. Unfortunately for Io, Zeus was married to a goddess named Hera, who just so happened to be one of the more jealous goddesses. When Hera found out about this juicy love affair, she got very angry indeed. To save Io from Hera’s wrath, Zeus changed Io into a white heifer. Hera though, was not deceived. She sent Argus, a monster with 100 eyes to guard Io. When Zeus heard of this, he asked Hermes to save his Io. Hermes agreed to his father’s request, and slew Argus. After Argus was killed, Hera took matters into her own hands. She chased Io all through Europe and Asia, finally allowing her to rest in Egypt. Because of her rest in Egypt, Io is identified with the Egyptian goddess, Isis (Io, in Greek mythology).

Like any god, Hermes has had a lot of love affairs. And if you sleep with a lot of women without condoms, you’re likely to end up with a bunch of kids. One of Hermes most famous sons is Hermaphroditus. Hermaphroditus is the beautiful son of Hermes and Aphrodite. He scorned the nymph Salmacis. She prayed that the gods would keep them together forever. When Hermaphroditus swam in her stream, she combined with him, uniting male and female parts in one body, hence the origin of the word hermaphrodite ( Hermaphroditus.) Caduceus, the insignia of the medical branch of the U.S. army since 1902. He is also related to sports and exercises, do to his swift movement. The Romans named Hermes “Mercury,” now the name of the planet closest to the sun. The planets are named for Greek gods, because of the constellations they create without a telescope.   Hermes pops up in so many stories and myths; he has famous children, and amazing journeys. His feats were many, and his deeds were good. He does all this and more. Any hero wanting to take his place as most popular god, better be ready to keep up. 

 "Hermes," Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2009): 1. Academic Search Premier. [|EBSCO]. Web. 3 Dec. 2009.
 * Works Cited **

"Hermaphroditus." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2009): 1. Academic Search Premier. [|EBSCO]. Web. 3 Dec. 2009.

"Hermes, in Greek religion and mythology." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2009): 1. Academic Search Premier. [|EBSCO]. Web. 3 Dec. 2009.

"Io, in Greek mythology." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2009): 1. Academic Search Premier. [|EBSCO]. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.  Mythology: (Edith Hamilton, Prov. 34, 35).