Hermes - A Thief, Inventor, and Messenger God

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

"And from heaven father Zeus himself gave confirmation to his words, and commanded that glorious Hermes should be lord over all birds of omen and grim-eyed lions, and boars with gleaming tusks, and over dogs and all flocks that the wide earth nourishes, and over all sheep; also that he only should be the appointed messenger to Hades, who, though he takes no gift, shall give him no mean prize."
Homeric Hymn to Hermes IV.549f

Zeus realized he had to keep his clever, cattle-rustling son out of mischief, so he put Hermes to work as god of trade and commerce. He gave him power over birds of omen, dogs, boars, flocks of sheep, and lions. He provided him with golden sandals, and made him messenger (angelos) to Hades. In this role Hermes was sent to try to retrieve Persephone from her husband. [See Persephone and Demeter Reunited.]

Previous

• Hermes - Not Always a Messenger God
• The Family Tree of Hermes
• Hermes - The Infant Thief & the First Sacrifice to the Gods
• Hermes and Apollo
• Zeus Puts His Idle Son Hermes to Work
• Hermes - Messenger in the Odyssey
• The Associates and Offspring of Hermes Are Cunning, Too
• Hermes the Helpful . . .
• . . . And Not So Kind

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