-
100
The Birth of Hermes
Hermes was born in a cave in Mount Cyllene near Arcadia. His parents were Maia and Zeus. Hermes was walking and talking within one day of being born. In his first day he ran off to Thessaly and found his brother, Apollo, with a herd of grazing cattle. Hermes tricked Apollo and stole the herd of cattle with his cunningness and intuition. Hermes walked the herd up the mountain backwards as to trick Apollo. Later Hermes exchanged with Apollo a lyre he had created for the herd of cattle. -
101
Origin of Hermes' Caduceus
When Zeus was settling the conflict of the stolen cattle between Apollo and Hermes, Zeus appointed Hermes to be his official messenger of the Gods. The caduceus was the gift that Hermes received for being the messenger. The caduceus eventually became the symbol of Hermes and him being the messenger of the Gods. -
102
Life in Mount Olympus
Hermes lives in Mount Olympus as one of the main twelve Olympians. Life in Mount Olympus was lxurious and wealthy. The deities who lived on Mount Olympus attended incredible banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia and nectar. -
103
The Path to the Underworld
Hermes would lead the dead souls of the Earth down to the river of Styx in the Underworld. The boatman for the river of Styx, Charon, would then take the dead souls the rest of the way down to Hades. -
104
Thief of the Gods
Hermes would constantly be stealing or planning to steal different things from the other Gods. Hermes has stolen Poseidon's trident, Artemis’ arrows, and other Gods/Goddesses' items. The other gods were always frustrated with the troubles that Hermes caused them. -
105
Inventor
Hermes was credited with invented or creating several valuable items such of which included fire, dice (Hermes was worshipped by gamblers in his capacity as god of luck and wealth), musical instruments, in particular, the lyre (made from a tortoise shell), and the alphabet.
