The wanderings of Odysseus, myths of ancient Greece. Homer's poem "Odyssey. Birth and early life

Hermes (Hermius, Ermius), Greek, Lat. Mercury is the son of Zeus and the galaxy of Maya; messenger of the gods and guide of the souls of the dead to Hades, god of merchants, speakers, inventors, pilgrims and travelers, athletes, swindlers and thieves.

Hermes was the most dexterous, inventive and cunning of all the gods, which he proved on the very first day of his life. In the morning he was born (in a cave under Mount Killena in Arcadia), soon escaped from his cradle, in the afternoon he invented the lyre and learned to play it, then stole fifty cows from Apollo (and dragged them into the cave by their tails so that the tracks went in the opposite direction) , and in the evening, returning as if nothing had happened, he wrapped himself in diapers and fell asleep with the most innocent look. When Apollo appeared to punish him, Hermes made excuses so cleverly and lied so shamelessly (he also learned to speak and lie in one day) that Apollo could not stand it and dragged him straight to Zeus. Pranks youngest son brought supreme god to delight, but for the sake of order, he ordered the stolen cows to be returned. Instead of answering, Hermes took out a lyre and began to play so skillfully and beautifully that the delighted Apollo offered to leave him the stolen cows in exchange for the lyre. Hermes agreed, and Apollo, to celebrate, gave him a golden rod and good advice: to go to Parnassus, to the priestesses there, so that they could teach him the art of fortune telling. Following this advice, Hermes received full training for his future duties on Olympus.

However, Hermes did not get to Olympus immediately and not without difficulty. His mother, being a goddess of low rank, considered the society of the Olympian gods too refined and preferred to leave her son with her, on earth. Hermes guarded the flocks of Arcadian shepherds, and in order not to get bored, he invented all sorts of things. Instead of the lyre, which he had, Hermes came up with a shepherd's pipe; Not wanting to bother himself with starting a fire the old fashioned way, he invented the flint. Later he also invented numbers, measures and the alphabet. In the end, earthly life Hermes got bored, and he began to ask his mother for time off to go to Olympus. When his mother doubted whether the gods would accept him into their company, Hermes declared that in this case he would gather a gang of robbers and become their leader. This argument seemed very convincing to Maya, and she let her son go.

Contrary to expectations, the gods gave him a warm welcome, since they had already heard about many of his tricks. Zeus immediately entrusted Hermes with a responsible post: he appointed him as his personal messenger. True, the goddess of the rainbow Iris performed the same functions, but Hermes quickly surpassed her: if Iris only conveyed the commands of Zeus, then Hermes carried them out. He soon expanded his clientele and became not only a messenger, but also an advisor to the other gods. However, most of all he worked for Zeus, who entrusted him with especially delicate and complex matters. Hermes carried out all the instructions successfully and on time (see, for example, the articles “” and “Io”). Hermes rescued Ares from the copper barrel in which the Aloads hid him. Many heroes were grateful to Hermes for his help, including Perseus, Hercules, Orpheus, and Odysseus. By order of Zeus, he resurrected young Pelops, who was killed by his father, Tantalus.

Just like the gods and heroes, Hermes also provided assistance to mere mortals who turned to him. He protected the flocks of simple shepherds, accompanied travelers, gave strength and agility to athletes, speed of legs to runners, helped merchants make a profit - in general, any hard worker could receive support from him. Hermes did not refuse help even to swindlers and thieves, but only on the condition that they acted wisely. Fools and lazy people had nothing to expect from Hermes, so they were the only ones who complained about him.

Due to many affairs and assignments, Hermes did not have enough time to get married. However, this does not mean that he did not leave behind descendants. The beautiful Polymela gave him a son, Eudor, who Trojan War was one of the leaders. The nymph Themis (or Carmenta) gave birth to his son Evander, the fruit of the love of Hermes and the goddess Aphrodite was Hermaphrodite. Some authors claim that his sons were Silenus, Satyr and Pan. Of his other sons, Daphnis is also known. Odysseus and Sisyphus considered Hermes their ancestor.

The Greeks have worshiped Hermes since ancient times; This is evidenced at least by the monuments of Linear B dating back to the 13th-14th centuries. BC e. and found at Knossos. Around the 3rd century. BC e. his cult was adopted by the Romans and identified with their god of trade and profit, Mercury. Initially, he was the patron god of herds and, accordingly, the giver of wealth, which stemmed from the breeding of livestock. With the development of the market economy, Hermes became the god of trade, and since trade is associated with travel, and sometimes also with fraud, he also became the god of travelers and scammers. The thieves respected him for his thievish talent, shown on the first day after birth (Hermes demonstrated it in the future - for example, he jokingly stole a scepter from Zeus, a trident from Poseidon, and a sword from Ares). Messengers, heralds and ambassadors saw their patron and protector in Hermes, as well as, oddly enough, doctors, since he knew how to heal and knew a lot about healing herbs, and athletes, for whom this “fleet-footed god” was a model of dexterity and agility.

The functions and adventures of Hermes are known to us from many literary monuments, starting with the Iliad and the Odyssey; The longest of Homer's hymns is also dedicated to him. He was the central figure in Sophocles's comic play The Bloodhounds (about half of the text survives). The Greeks imagined Hermes in two forms: as ancient god To the shepherds, he looked like a bearded old man, like a messenger of the gods - a slender young man with a caduceus scepter and wings on his legs and helmet. Statues of Hermes were placed, in particular, at crossroads (herms - tetrahedral pillars with the image of his head and with inscriptions telling where the road leads), and were often decorated with them medical institutions and almost always sports facilities.

Of the ancient images of Hermes today, undoubtedly, the marble original of the statue of Praxiteles “Hermes with the Child Dionysus” (c. 340 BC), discovered in 1877 by German archaeologists in Olympia, takes first place. Many Roman copies of the Greek originals by Lysippos and Praxiteles' students have survived. On numerous vases, Hermes is mainly depicted as the guide of the souls of the dead to the afterlife.

Since the Renaissance, Hermes has been one of the most frequently depicted ancient gods, so it is almost impossible to list even the best statues of him; Let's just name a few authors: Sansovino, Giambologna, De Vries, J.B. Pigalle. Among the European artists who depicted Hermes were Correggio, Tintoretto, Rubens and others.

In the last century, Hermes with his attributes (especially the winged hat) adorned almost every bank, insurance office, chamber of commerce, etc. - there is no need to talk about masterpieces of art here. He had better luck with poets and composers. Vrchlicki dedicated his poems “Flying Mercury” (1899) and “Hermes” (1891) to him, Haydn - one of his symphonies, Vranitsky - an opera. Since ancient times, the name Hermes has been borne by the planet closest to the Sun (the Latin form is used: Mercury).

In the photo: fashionable Hermes bag Birkin

Hermes is the ancient Greek god of trade, profit and dexterity, messenger of the gods and guide of the souls of the dead.

Myth of Hermes

At the same time, Hermes invented musical instrument- the lyre, which he loved to play.

Apollo really liked the musical instrument, and he offered to exchange it for cows. Hermes agreed, now he herded the cows and played them on another musical instrument - the pipe. Apollo liked him too, the god again offered an exchange and now Hermes had a rod. This rod became a symbol of God, and he was often depicted with it. It was a winged staff with two snakes entwined around it - a caduceus.

If you believe the myths, with the help of this rod Hermes sent people prophetic dreams who showed them the divine will.

For fun, Hermes also stole Zeus's scepter, and Poseidon's trident, Hephaestus' tools, Aphrodite's belt and Ares' sword.

Hermes escorted the souls of the dead to the kingdom of Hades, bringing them to the River Styx, where Charon's boat was waiting for them.

Hermes invented writing, numbers, weights and lengths, for which people revered him.

God also patronized athletes. In his honor, stadiums and gymnastics schools were built, which decorated him with sculptures.

Hermes was always depicted as a young youth, wearing a hat with curved edges (sometimes with wings), winged sandals, a golden staff and a lamb on his shoulders.

Hermes Hermes

(Ερμη̃ς, Mercurius). Son of Zeus and Maya, messenger of the gods, god of industry and various inventions, cunning, resourceful, master of dexterous smart word, not stopping even at theft and deception. He was also considered the god of roads, guide to wanderers and patron of flocks; he also escorts the dead to the kingdom of Hades. Hermes invented the lyre by stringing strings around a tortoise's shell. He was depicted with wings on his soles or on his hat and with a wand of happiness divided into three branches. A palm tree, a turtle and various fish. Roman Mercury corresponded to the Greek Hermes.

(Source: " Brief dictionary mythology and antiquities." M. Korsh. St. Petersburg, edition by A. S. Suvorin, 1894.)

(Έρμής), in Greek mythology messenger of the gods, patron of travelers, guide of the souls of the dead. G. is the son of Zeus and Maya, one of the daughters of Atlas, born by her in Arcadia in the cave of Killena (Hymn. Hom. Ill I-5). An Olympian deity, although of pre-Greek, possibly Asia Minor origin. G.'s fetishistic antiquity is indicated by his name, understood as a derivative of the Greek. έρμα - a pile of stones or a stone pillar, which was used to mark burial places in ancient times. Herms were waymarks (Plat. Hipp. 228d-229a), fetishes - guardians of roads, borders, gates (hence G. “gatekeeper” - “Propylaeus”) (Paus. II 38, 7); damage to herms was considered a terrible sacrilege (Thuc. VI 27). The fetishistic rudiments of God are found in such indispensable attributes of G. as “ambrosia” (lit. “immortal”) golden winged sandals and a golden staff - the center magical power(Hom. Od. V 44-50). In his hands with this rod, which puts people to sleep and awakens them, G. performs one of his ancient functions a guide for the souls of the dead to Hades, a “psychopomp” or assistant on the way to the kingdom of the dead (Hom. Od. XXIV 1-5). G. is equally included in both worlds - life and death; he is a mediator between one and the other, just as he is a mediator between gods and people. He leads the goddesses Hera, Athena and Aphrodite to trial Parisa(Eur. Andr. 274-287). G. is the messenger of the gods, the male correlate of the messenger of the gods Iris. The expression of the divine will sometimes comes in a dream, and G. sends dreams to people with the help of his rod (Hymn. Hom. Ill 14). G.'s leadership on the paths of life and death is reinterpreted in the era of classical mythology as patronage of heroes. He gives Nephele, the mother of Frixus, and Gellas a golden-fleeced ram, on which they escape from their stepmother (Apollod. I 9, 1). Founder of Thebes Amphion G. hands over the lyre, and with its help the hero builds the walls of the city (III 5, 5); Perseus he hands over a sword to kill Medusa (II 4, 2); Odyssey reveals the secret of the magic herb in order to escape from the witchcraft of Kirk (Hom. Od. X 227-306); G. saved the god Ares from the intrigues Aloadov. T. protects heroes during their travels (Hom. Il. XXIV 334). He helped Priam penetrate unharmed into the camp of Achilles (XXIV 339-447), and here G.’s ability to open any bonds invisibly was reflected (Hymn. Hom. Ill 410). G.'s cunning and dexterity make him the patron of trickery and theft. A description of G.'s thieving exploits and the story of the baby G.'s theft of a beautiful herd of cows from Apollo is given in Homer's “Hymn to Hermes” (III 68-94). G. taught his son to cheat Autolyka - maternal grandfather Odysseus; Odysseus's cunning is the result of heredity received from a divine ancestor (Hom. Od. XIX 394-398). Thanks to cunning and deception, G. freed Io from the monstrous Argos and killed him. Putting on the helmet of Hades, G. deftly killed one of the giants (Apollod. I 6, 2).
The function of G. as the patron of shepherding, multiplying the offspring in herds along with Hecate(Hes. Theog. 444), secondary (cf. Pan- son of G. - god of herds). G. and Apollo mutually exchanged a number of important functions or divided them among themselves. According to the myth, by chance (for all random finds are sent to G.) having found a turtle, G. for the first time made a seven-string lyre from its shell and sang to its accompaniment. Apollo persuaded him to give him the lyre in exchange for cows (Hymn. Hom. Ill 413-502). In addition, G. handed Apollo his pipe, for which he received a golden rod from him and was taught by him the art of fortune telling (Apollod. Ill 10, 2). During the period of late antiquity, the image of G. Trismegistus (“thrice greatest”) arose in connection with G.’s proximity to the other world; Occult sciences and the so-called were associated with this image. hermetic (secret, closed, accessible only to initiates) writings.
G. was revered at anthesteria - the holiday of the awakening of spring and the memory of the dead. In Roman mythology he was revered under the name Mercury - patron of trade.
Lit.: Radermacher L., Der homerische Hermeshymnus. Erläutert und untersucht, W., 1931; Raingeard P., Hermes ptychagogue. Essai sur les origines du culte d"Hermes, P., 1985; Kerenyi K., Hemes der Seelen-Führer, Z., 1944; Brown 0. N.. Hermes - the thief, Madison, 1947; Moorsel G. v. , The mysteries of Hermes Triemegistus, Utrecht, 1966.
A. A. Tahoe-Godi.

Among the works of ancient sculpture that have come down to us: the statue of “G. with the baby Dionysus" by Praxiteles. "G." Polykleitos is known in several replicas, "Resting G." Lysippa - in the Roman copy; the so-called "G. Ludovisi", "G. Fariese", "G. from Belvedere" and others; among the herms is a Pergamon copy of the work of Alcamenes; among the reliefs - “G. and harites." Under the influence of ancient images of G. with a lamb on his shoulders, the iconographic type of the “good shepherd” was formed in early Christian art. In medieval book illustrations, G. is depicted as a symbol of the planet Mercury (in many European languages, mercury, which in alchemy until the 17th century was assigned exclusively important role, bore the name of this planet). Sometimes G. was depicted as the god of eloquence. In the symbolism of the Renaissance and Baroque, G. is a guide of souls (relief of the Malatestian Temple in Rimini; Raphael’s fresco “G. introduces Psyche to Olympus”), messenger of the gods (statue “Mercury” by Giambologna), peacemaker (painting by P. P. Rubens “Reconciliation” Marie de Medici with her son") and others. G. were depicted in the company of the Charit-Graces (J. Tintoretto “Mercury and the Three Graces”). In European art of the 15th-17th centuries. Particularly popular plots are: “Mercury beheads Argos” (Rubens, J. Jordans, Velasquez, Rembrandt, etc.), “Mercury’s abduction of Admetus’ flocks” (Domenichino, C. Lorrain, etc.), etc. In art 18 - early. 19th centuries G.'s image is embodied mainly in plastic art (G. R. Donner, J. V. Pigal, B. Thorvaldsen, etc.).

(Source: “Myths of the Peoples of the World.”)

(Hermias) - god of trade, profit, intelligence, dexterity, deception, theft and eloquence, giving wealth and income in trade, god of gymnastics. Patron of heralds, ambassadors, shepherds and travelers; patron of magic and astrology. Messenger of the gods and guide of the souls of the dead to the underworld of Hades. Son of Zeus and Pleiades Maia. Born in the grotto of Mount Killena (Arcadia). Father of Abdera, Autolycus, Hermaphroditus, Eurytus, Cephalus, Pan? and Efalida. Great-grandfather of Odysseus. See more details about it.

// Giovani Batista TIEPOLO: The appearance of Mercury before Aeneas // Alexey FANTALOV: Hermes and Argus // Jose Maria de REDIA: To Hermes Criophorus // Dmitry OLERON: Heraion. Hermes and Bacchus of Praxiteles. Bacchus // Rainer Maria RILKE: Orpheus. Eurydice. Hermes // N.A. Kuhn: HERMES // N.A. Kuhn: HERMES KIDNAPPES APOLLO'S COWS

(Source: “Myths of Ancient Greece. Dictionary-reference book.” EdwART, 2009.)

in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and the nymph Maya, the winged messenger of the gods, the patron of invention, trickery and mischief, a guide to the kingdom of the dead.

(Source: “Dictionary of spirits and gods of German-Scandinavian, Egyptian, Greek, Irish, Japanese, Mayan and Aztec mythologies.”)

Painting of the white background lekythos of the “Master of the Boston Vial”.
Around 440 BC e.
Munich.
Museum of Ancient Applied Art.

Relief fragment from the island of Thassos.
Marble.
Around 480 BC e.
Paris.
Louvre.

Fragment of a terracotta statue of Vulca from the pediment of the Temple of Apollo in Veii.
Around 500 BC e.
Rome.
Villa Giulia Museum.

Roman copy.

(second half of the 4th century BC).
Bronze.
Naples.
National Museum.

Statue of Praxiteles.
Marble.
Around 340 BC e.
Olympia.
Museum.

Roman copy.
From the Greek original of Polykleitos
(around 450 BC).
Marble.
Berlin.
State museums.

Bronze.
Around 340 BC e.
Athens.
National Museum.

Roman copy.
From the Greek original (5th century BC).
Marble.
Rome.
National Museum.

Roman copy.
From the Greek original by Lysippos
(around 330 BC).
Marble.
Copenhagen.
New Carlsberg Glyptotek.

See what "Hermes" is in other dictionaries:

In the grotto of Mount Killene in Arcadia, the son of Zeus and Maya, the god Hermes (1), the messenger of the gods, was born. With the speed of thought, he is transported from Olympus to the farthest edge of the world in his winged sandals, with a caduceus staff in his hands. Hermes guards the paths, and... ... Encyclopedia of Mythology

- (Greek Hermes). Ancient Greek god, corresponding to the Roman Mercury, son of Zeus and Maia. Dictionary foreign words, included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. HERMES Mercury, in Greek. mythology, son of Zeus and Maya, messenger of the gods, god... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

And husband. Star. ed. Report: Germesovich, Germesovna. Derivatives: Herma; Hera.Origin: (In ancient mythology: Hermes is the god of cattle breeding, trade and patron of travelers.) Dictionary of personal names. Hermes a, m. Star. rare Report: Germesovich, Germesovna.... ... Dictionary of personal names

Hermes- Hermes. Fragment of a terracotta statue of Vulca from the pediment of the Temple of Apollo in Veii. OK. 500 BC Villa Giulia Museum. Rome. Hermes. Fragment of a terracotta statue of Vulca from the pediment of the Temple of Apollo in Veii. OK. 500 BC Villa Giulia Museum. Rome. Hermes in... encyclopedic Dictionary"The World History"

Hermes- Hermes. Fragment of a terracotta statue of Vulca from the pediment of the Temple of Apollo in Veii. OK. 500 BC Villa Giulia Museum. Rome. HERMES, in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus, messenger of the Olympian gods, patron of shepherds, travelers, trade and profit,... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

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In Greek mythology, the son of Zeus, messenger of the Olympian gods, patron of shepherds and travelers, god of trade and profit. The Roman Mercury corresponds to it... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

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Type and attributes of the god Hermes (Mercury). - Hermes is the inventor of the cithara and the god of thieves. - Hermes is the god of trade, the god of gymnasium and teacher. - God Hermes is the guardian of roads, travelers and sailors. - Hermes is the god of eloquence, messenger of the gods and guide of souls to Hades. - Complaints of the god Hermes (Mercury).

Type and attributes of the god Hermes (Mercury)

God Hermes(in Roman mythology - god Mercury), is, according to the myths of ancient Greece, the embodiment of exchange, transfer and transition from one state or position to another.

The heavenly ambassador, the god Hermes, conveys the prayers of people to the gods, and the blessings of the gods to people. As a guide of souls, the god Hermes personifies the transition from life to death. The god of eloquence and contracts, Hermes (Mercury) conveys the thoughts of the speaker or messenger to others.

Hermes is the god of gymnasiums (schools of wrestlers), because wrestling consists of the transfer of forces. Hermes is the god of thieves and trade, because an item, stolen or bought, passes from one hand to another.

On the monuments of archaic art of ancient Greece, especially on vases and vessels, the god Hermes is depicted in the prime of life, with a thick pointed beard, long curly hair, wearing a low traveling hat, with winged sandals and holding in his hand caduceus, which sometimes looks like a scepter on statues.

On antique engraved stones of a later era, the god Hermes (Mercury) is sometimes depicted with a beard, but these images are undoubtedly an imitation of ancient monuments, because in the golden age of Greek art the type of god Hermes is completely different.

The god Hermes is depicted as a tall, slender young man, always beardless, with short-cropped hair, thus representing the ideal type of a young man attending wrestling schools (gymnasiums). The face of Hermes does not express the greatness of Zeus (Jupiter) or the pride of Apollo, but the face of Hermes often reflects the cunning inherent in this cunning and dexterous god.

Low winged hat and caduceus- the main attributes of the god Hermes (Mercury). Even when Hermes is depicted with a naked head, Hermes has wings on his head.

Caduceus the god Hermes, or rod, is a stick entwined with two snakes.

Sometimes Hermes has wings or winged sandals on his heels. The god Hermes (Mercury) is often given other attributes, in accordance with his various duties and positions. Hermes performs the duties of the divine shepherd, and then Hermes is depicted with a ram or a goat. As the inventor of the cithara, the god Hermes is depicted accompanied by a turtle, from which Hermes made the first cithara. The rooster is given to the god Hermes as an attribute of the god of gymnasiums (wrestling schools). The purse in Hermes's hand indicates that Hermes is the god of trade.

This last attribute (wallet) is most often found on ancient monuments of Roman origin, since among the ancient Romans god Mercury was par excellence god of trade.

Hermes - inventor of the cithara and god of thieves

Few gods are mentioned as often in ancient mythology as this god. The role of Hermes is very important, although he is considered a minor god, but in many cases Hermes, like a lackey in a comedy, turns out to be the main person directing the course of the whole matter in ancient myths.

The god Hermes (Mercury) invented the kithara on the same day he was born. Having thrown off the diapers in which his caring mother Maya had wrapped him, Hermes ran out of the cave. At the entrance to the cave, the baby Hermes saw a turtle walking slowly and importantly through the soft grass. The newborn god Hermes grabbed the turtle, pulled the animal out of its home (shell), pulled ram strings and covered the hard turtle frame with bull skin.

This is how the world's first cithara appeared. Having completed his work, Hermes struck the strings of the cithara and was delighted with the sounds produced by his new instrument. Delighted with his invention, the god Hermes immediately improvises several harmonic verses, which he immediately sings in honor of his invention.

God Hermes (Mercury) from the very early age exhibits qualities that later gave him honorary title god of thieves On the very first day of his birth, Hermes steals the trident of the god (Neptune), the arrows of the god Eros (Cupid), the sword of the god (Mars), and the belt of the goddess (Venus). Wanting to end a day that had begun so well with dignity, the god Hermes goes to Pieria and steals a herd of bulls there that belongs to.

Taking every possible precaution to confuse and hide his tracks, the infant Hermes leads Apollo's herd to Pylos, sacrifices two cows to the Olympian gods, and hides the rest in a cave.

Returning to the cave on Mount Killenu, the god Hermes lies down in his cradle as if nothing had happened and wraps himself in swaddling clothes. Mother Maya, noticing the absence of Hermes, asks where he disappeared and what he was doing, and threatens Hermes that the son of Latona (Apollo) will be able to find him and expose his tricks, but Hermes boldly replies: “Mother, do not try to intimidate me, as if I weak child, who did some kind of prank and is afraid even of his mother's voices. I want and will engage in such art that will glorify both you and me” (Homeric hymn “To Hermes”).

Meanwhile, the god Apollo, who has the omniscience of a prophet, immediately finds out who stole his cows. Apollo goes to the cave to Hermes. At the sight of the angry god, Hermes wraps himself even more carefully in his swaddling clothes and at first boldly denies the theft, slyly adding: “I do not yet possess the strength of a man capable of taking away an entire herd. Moreover, this is not my craft, I have other responsibilities, I still need mother’s milk and her care for my diapers. And be careful not to tell anyone about our current quarrel, think with what distrust and doubt the immortals would react to your words if you once decided to tell them that a child, barely born, went to your home and stole your flock" (Homeric hymn "To Hermes")

But the god Apollo was not easily fooled. Apollo took the little god Hermes and carried him to Zeus, asking him to return to him the cows his son had stolen. Hermes, too, wants to deny his crime, but Zeus, who knows and sees everything, orders Hermes to return the cows to their owner.

The god Hermes obeys and leads Apollo to the cave where the cows are. While Apollo is busy counting the herd, Hermes begins to play the cithara. Apollo is so delighted with his playing and instrument that he wants to buy a cithara. Hermes, as the future god of trade, realizing what he could conclude good deal, agrees to give the cithara, but demands cows for it. Apollo agrees. While Apollo is just getting used to playing it, the god Hermes is already inventing another musical instrument - a shepherd's horn - and in exchange for it he receives a caduceus from Apollo.

Hermes - god of trade, god of gymnasium and teacher

The audacity and impudence with which the god Hermes lied on the first day of his birth, and the talent that Hermes discovered in defending such a bad and unjust cause, forced us to recognize and honor the god Hermes (Mercury) as the patron and patron of all lawyers.

From the very first days, the god Hermes (Mercury) showed such abilities in exchange and sale that everyone began to revere him as the god of trade.

Ancient art then depicts the god Mercury with a wallet in his hands. The same emblem of the wallet is given to it when Hermes personifies the god of thieves, but in the first case, Hermes is depicted as a slender, stately man, as if thinking and weighing his actions, and in the second case, Hermes is given the appearance of a child, smiling slyly and slyly, as if remembering his adventures.

Hermes is the god of the school of wrestlers and the patron of all gymnastic exercises in the palaestra. Then the god Hermes is depicted as a stately, strong ephebe, with short-cropped hair and with a rooster and a palm tree - emblems of struggle, strength and endurance.

Rooster fighting was one of the favorite spectacles of the ancient Greeks, who chose this bird as a symbol of struggle.

In all ancient Greek gymnasiums one could find an image of Hermes, most often in the form of the head of this god placed on a pedestal. This image of Hermes is called herma. And the god Hermes himself laughs at such images - herms. “My name,” he says, “is fleet-footed Hermes. So do not place me in the palaestra without legs and arms. Standing on a pedestal without arms and legs, how can I be a fleet-footed and agile fighter?!”

Since writing serves to transmit thoughts and ideas of people among themselves, Hermes (Mercury), as the god of exchange and transmission, is the inventor of the alphabet and teaches people the art of transmitting their ideas and thoughts through writing.

Teachers, public scribes and everyone involved in writing turn to the god Hermes with requests and prayers. All instruments that are used for writing, as well as for geometry, are dedicated to the god Hermes. In addition, according to the myths of ancient Greece, the god Hermes invented numbers, measures and scales.

God Hermes (Mercury) is in constant communication with the human race. Hermes loves to take part in people's lives, their adversities and prosperity. Hermes personifies the productive force of nature and is a mediator between nature and humanity. Hermes takes care of the fertility of the fields and, like a shepherd god, protects the flocks. In Arcadia, a predominantly pastoral country, the cult of Hermes was very widespread.

God Hermes - guardian of roads, travelers and sailors

Hermes (Mercury), as the god of trade, is the natural patron of travelers and sailors, the guardian of roads and waterways.

In the Greek archaic era, stones were piled up at road intersections. The piles of stones at the crossroads represented the altars of the god Hermes, and each passerby had to add his own stone to this primitive monument.

Subsequently, they began to erect altars of a different shape to the god Hermes.

Hermes - god of eloquence, messenger of the gods and guide of souls to Hades

On monuments of ancient art depicting Hermes (Mercury) as the god of eloquence, he is given a special gesture: Hermes has a raised right hand, as if he wants to clarify something. The art of conveying thoughts through speech is one of the many qualities of the god Hermes (Mercury), and his duties included teaching people this art. They turned to the god Hermes when they wanted to ask him for the gift of memory and the ability to speak.

One Orphic hymn speaks of the many duties of this god: “Beloved son of Maya and Jupiter, god of travelers, messenger of the immortals, possessor of a vast heart, strict censor of mankind, witty god of a thousand forms, slayer of Argus, god with winged feet, friend of mankind, patron of eloquence, you who love cunning and struggle, translator from all languages, friend of the world, happy god and useful god, patron of work and helper in human misfortunes, listen to my prayers, grant me a happy end to my existence, success in my labors, intelligence, gifted with memory and the gift of eloquence.”

One of the main and most important duties of Hermes (Mercury) is to serve as a messenger of the gods and a mediator between them and humanity. The god Hermes (Mercury) is primarily the ambassador of Zeus (Jupiter), the executor of all his commands. The god Hermes has a winged hat and winged sandals, as if in order to quickly carry out the orders of the gods.

The Caduceus, always belonging to Hermes-Mercury, has different meaning. Initially, the caduceus of Hermes simply represented the staff of heralds. Subsequently, the caduceus of Hermes began to be given miraculous powers. So, for example, Hermes puts the vigilant Argus to sleep with the help of a caduceus, wanting to save the unfortunate Io from him.

A beautiful bronze statue by Giovanni da Bologna in Florence, “Mercury Setting Out to Execute the Commands of Jupiter,” has been preserved.

The god Hermes had the special responsibility of escorting the souls of the dead to the kingdom (Pluto). In this function of soul guide the god Hermes is called Psychopomp- “guide of souls” translated from ancient Greek. On many monuments of ancient art, Hermes (Mercury) is depicted performing this duty, and in one ancient fresco the god Hermes is represented presenting two souls to the god Pluto, in the presence of Persephone.

Complaints of the god Hermes (Mercury)

Of all the gods of Olympus, Hermes is the most tireless worker. The lot of the god Hermes fell to so many different works and responsibilities that, with all his hard work, he cannot refrain, at least occasionally, from complaining.

According to the ancient Greek writer Lucian, Hermes says: “There is no god more unhappy than I: I alone have so much to do and so many varied responsibilities! In the morning I must sweep the hall where the gods feast; Having put everything there in order, I go to Zeus to listen to his orders and assignments and then, fulfilling them, I rush like a walker between Olympus and the earth.”

ZAUMNIK.RU, Egor A. Polikarpov - scientific editing, scientific proofreading, design, selection of illustrations, additions, explanations, translations from Latin and ancient Greek; all rights reserved.

The god Hermes is known in Greek mythology as the messenger of the gods and the patron of travelers, who earned the favor of Zeus with his cunning and dexterity. For these qualities he was called a guardian by deceivers, and by creators for his talent for music. The son of the Thunderer managed to commit a great theft from Apollo himself while still in the cradle, and when he grew up, he stole the nymph Io from the giant.

Who is Hermes?

Who is Hermes in Greek mythology - he was the patron of many crafts, his name meant “pillar of stone”, similar signs were installed at intersections and were called guardians of roads - herms. Damaging it was considered a terrible sacrilege and was severely punished. The son of Zeus and the nymph of the mountains Maia, the god Hermes was a mediator between the rulers of Olympus and people, he was credited with:

• accompaniment dead souls to the kingdom of Hades;
• invention of the lyre and composition of music;
• coming up with original jokes and practical jokes;
• patronage in many sciences and sports.

The Greeks revered Hermes very much because he gave them measures of weight and length, numbers and the alphabet, and knowledge of astronomy. He was glorified by athletes and musicians. They were considered the god of entrance and exit, the patron of travelers, so the image of Hermes was certainly painted on the carts. The attributes of this god were golden sandals and a staff, which had special magical powers.

What did Hermes look like?

Hermes is often depicted as a young man wearing golden sandals and with the same staff decorated with snakes, with his help he gave people prophetic dreams. Sandals made this god a guide to world of the dead, the secrets of which he also knew well. It was believed that Hermes was a Greek god who helped scammers. Often the messenger god was depicted with his head uncovered, but sometimes wearing a hat with a curved brim.

Hermes - mythology

The exploits of the rogue god include many myths, the most famous: how Hermes kidnaps Apollo’s cows and the abduction of the charming nymph Io. In the first case, he distinguished himself while still a baby, took the animals away, putting them in sandals so that they would not be found by their footprints, and hid them in a cave. Only before Zeus did he confess and return the loss, but in return he managed to exchange other valuables from Apollo.

Later, during the time of classical mythology, the role of this deity changed, receiving the status of "Hermes - the ancient Greek god who helps heroes." This was manifested in the following actions:

1. He brought a sword to Perseus to destroy.
2. Saved Odysseus from the magic of the sorceress Kirka.
3. He gave the lyre to the founder of Thebes, Amphion, with which he built the city.
4. Saved the god of war Ares from the tricks of the Aloads.

Apollo and Hermes - myth

Researchers believe that Hermes and Apollo divided the responsibilities assigned to them. The myth tells that Hermes, as a child, was able to bargain for himself the valuable attributes of his power:

1. He was the first to make a lyre from a turtle shell and began to play it. This happened after he returned the cows stolen from Apollo. When he heard the wonderful game, he offered to exchange for the same animals.
2. Having returned the cows, Hermes made a pipe and began to blow new melodies. Apollo also liked the instrument, and he offered to exchange it for a travel rod - a caduceus. He also rewarded the baby with the ability to guess.

Later, shepherds chose Hermes as their patron - for his ability to handle animals and the pipe, which he loved to play, as well as thieves - for his ability to open any locks. Since Hermes possessed the secrets of the other world, they asked for his help in mastering the occult sciences. Versatile abilities gave this god the title of “thrice greatest” - Trismegistus.

Aphrodite and Hermes

The fact that Hermes is a god endowed with extraordinary cunning is also evidenced by the myth of how he achieved the favor of the goddess Aphrodite. At first she rejected his claims, and Hermes asked his father Zeus for help. The Thunderer ordered the eagle to steal the sandal from the beauty and give it to his favorite. When the goddess came for the loss, Hermes managed to seduce her. After this night, the handsome Hermaphrodite was born, whose name is associated with another legend. And the god of travelers, in gratitude for his help, turned the eagle intermediary into a constellation.

Hermes and Zeus

Myths claim that Hermes is the son of Zeus, whom he loved very much and endowed with special privileges, forgiving pranks and tricks. The God-messenger was especially revered at Anthesteria; the supreme ruler of Olympus even gave the sly constellation Lyra. Therefore, he responded to his father’s requests for help with great zeal. There are two myths about this:

1. Zeus asked Hermes to steal for him his beloved nymph Io, who was turned into a cow, to which the jealous wife Hera assigned the giant Argus as a guard. The difficulty was that the guard never slept because he had many eyes. The sly man coped with the task brilliantly.
2. He figured out how to make Hercules’ burden lighter by selling him to Queen Lydia. According to the prediction, great hero could be cured of a serious illness if he was sold into slavery and worked for three years. In the service of the ruler Omphale, circumventing the prediction turned out to be a simple task.