Hermes Argeiphontes

From LitWiki
Revision as of 12:52, 18 June 2006 by Kroyal (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Hermes Argeiphontes was a messenger of the gods. Hermes the son of the god Zeus and Maia. As the special servant and courier of Zeus, Hermes had winged sandals and a winged hat and bore a golden Caduceus, or magic wand, entwined with snakes and surmounted by wings. Hermes conducted the souls of the dead to the underworld and was believed to possess magical powers over sleep and dreams. He was also the god of commerce, and the protector of traders and herds. He also protected gymnasiums and stadiums and was believed to be responsible for both good luck and wealth. Hermes was also a dangerous foe, a trickster, and a thief. On the day of his birth he stole the cattle of his brother, the sun god Apollo, and made the cattle walk backward. When confronted by Apollo, Hermes denied the theft. The brothers were finally reconciled when Hermes gave Apollo his newly invented lyre. Hermes was represented in early Greek art as a mature, bearded man; in classical art he became an athletic youth, nude and beardless. (http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/hermes.html)