Hermes - A Thief, Inventor, and Messenger God

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

According to Timothy Gantz, the late author of the encyclopedic Early Greek Myth, two of the epithets (eriounios and phoronis) by which Hermes is known may mean 'helpful' or 'kindly'. Hermes taught his descendant Autolycus the art of thievery and enhanced Eumaios' wood-chopping skills. He also helped heroes in their tasks: Hercules in his descent to the Underworld, Odysseus by warning him about Circe's treachery, and Perseus in the beheading of the Gorgon Medusa.

Hermes Argeiphontes helped Zeus and Io by killing Argus, the hundred-eyed giant creature Hera installed to guard the heifer-Io.

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

Next