Hermes Research Paper

In Greek Mythology, Hermes is a great example of the trickster archetype. Hermes was a Greek god and also son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia. Hermes is known mainly as the messenger of the gods on Mount Olympus. He is known for using his tricks to both help and hurt people throughout Greek history and mythology. Author Ron Leadbetter contends that Hermes took some of his brother Apollos cattle and brought them to a small grotto where he hid them. (Leadbetter)

Apollo is also known as Phoebus , a well-respected individual is the know god of many things. To begin with, the god of music, as he plays a golden lyre(harp). The god plagues and of healing as he gives the science of medicine to man. Secondly, the god of light, as he carry’s the sun. Finally, the god of truth and oracles as the patron who gave wisdom in Delphi.

Travel, diplomacy, trade, persuasion, writing, and athletics were traits of the Olympian god Hermes. Hermes main role is to deliver messages from gods, due to the fact that he could move freely and quickly from worlds of mortal and divine. Furthermore, Hermes the god of travel was “said to be a personal agent of Zeus, helping him on numerous occasions” (“Hermes”). Hermes personality is described as clever and agile. Hermes is depicted to be wearing winged sandals and helmet.

Beginning around 700 B.C., stories by Homer and other Greek poets told of the lives of powerful gods who involved themselves in human affairs. Supreme among these gods was Zeus, but to the Romans he was known as Jupiter. Zeus was the supreme god and ruler of Olympus. He was known by many titles: Lord of the Sky, the Cloud- gatherer, the Rain-god, and Zeus the Thunderer. All of which are the most popular names dating back to ancient Greek history and mythology.

Apollo, he was an important god in Greek and Roman mythology. In Greek myths he was the son of Zeus - the king of all gods. Apollo was the god of light, purity, and the sun. The Greeks and

Out of the tortoiseshell, he crafts a lyre, this is a metaphor for crafting, as gods take the natural world and are able to put it to use. Once confronted by Apollo, Hermes gives a lying speech, he whistles and winks at Apollo making him laugh. Hermes acts like a child and tells Apollo, “I care for sleep, and milk of my mother's breast, and wrappings round my shoulders … I was born yesterday” (263-264). His playful nature allows him to express his musical skills, as he sings sweet songs with his lyre, and manages to trade it for the cattle. Hermes uses his wits and humour to defuse the situation. He is so charming when lying to Zeus, that even he, the great and powerful who punishes those who misbehave, lets Hermes get away with it.

In this paragraph will be information on Greek Gods and Goddesses. There was a governing body for the Grecians. This mythological group was very important. They were usually the reason for war and many believed that they were so superior that they would bring disease and death upon others that they dislike or the people that would try to out shine them. They were called The Olympians. There were twelve Olympians, however before I name them there actually were 13, but Hestia gave up her position for Dionysus. There was Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hephatus, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artimes, Dionysus, Aries (Ares or Aris), and Apollo.” (Greek Gods and Goddesses) There was one other God that is also very important to the Olympians. His name was Hades and he was the God of the Dead. He was not considered an Olympian though because he was always to be in the Underworld. Hades had one day decided that he wanted a partner however

Hermes is a great ambassador of gods, the guide for human souls to the underworld, and a wise God. Hermes is the messenger of gods, because he has the magic sandals, which provide him the ability to fly. Hermes’s name in Rome is Mercury, meaning moves quickly through the sky. Hermes Greek name means fortune stone. He is an only Olympian who empower to travel through the Olympus, Earth and underworld. Moreover, Hermes is not only son of Zeus, but also known as a great helper for his father, Zeus. However, he is notorious as a thief, traveller, and a merchant. Usually, Hermes carries with himself the caduceus with twin snakes wrap around in hand, wings at heels, and the dark helmet on head (Skidmore, Joel). In a conclusion, Hermes is considers both good and bad in Greek mythology.

Hermes was a god of fertility in Greek Mythology. He was especially concerned with the sheep and goats raised by his principal worshippers, the people in Arcadia, Southern Greece. In ancient poetry, Hermes functioned as a messenger of the gods. Hermes was also a guide for souls to the underworld and for travelers. Also, he was a protector of boundaries; a helper of heralds, speakers, traders, and thieves; and a bringer of good or unexpected luck.

However, like every other beautiful thing, this area ended dreadfully –thanks to Prometheus. Prometheus, as narrated in the Theogony, cut up and offered a great ox (Leonard 204). He set out the ox’s flesh and innards with tasty fat, while setting out the ox’s white bones with skilled deceit hidden in the glistening fat (Leonard 304). Zeus called him out for his unfair portions, as the embodiment of “kings and judges” type in the narrative. Afterwards, Prometheus made him choose between two different chunks of meat.

Apollo is a God of prophecy, light, poetry, and music. Apollo uses stock epithet in The Iliad, when it says, “Apollo of the silver bow.” This epithet references the key role Apollo plays in archery during the events of The Iliad. Apollo plays a very decisive role in The Iliad, he was very significant in the play. Apollo taught men the art of medicine; they would sometimes call Apollo “The Healer.” Apollo has the unique distinction of having the same name in both Greek and Roman Mythology.

Hermes (called Mercury in Roman mythology) was considered the messenger of the Olympic gods. According to legend, he was the son of Zeus, king of Mount Olympus, and Maia, a nymph. As time went on, he was also associated with luck, shepherds, athletes, thieves, and merchants.

Sphere of Hermes The ancient Greeks and Romans identified their gods based on the spheres of nature they are believed to control. In the ancient hymns to the gods, rather than explicitly praise the gods, the praise of each god is valued and portrayed in their actions—what they did, to whom they did, why they did it and the repercussions of what they did. In the hymn to Hermes, the myth of Hermes stealing the cows of Apollo (page 189) is used as a tool for Praising the god of thieves.

There once was a god named Perculus, he was one of the three lost gods that were destroyed by Zeus. He was the god of education; he was responsible for teaching all the citizens of Greece the basic ways of living. Once Zeus got into power he was jealous that someone other than himself was teaching the citizens so he sent him to Hades, along with two other gods for other personal reasons, Diminutive the original god of Truth and, Gargantuan the god of punishment.

Zeus is the God of the sky and thunder. He plays important role in the Iliad as he is the God that many mortals pray to and rely on for help. Even other Gods look up to him and ask him for favors. In the Iliad Zeus along with other Gods are overlooking the Trojan war and using his God like powers to sway the results. Though others look up to him he feels an obligation to please others which causes him to influence the Trojan war on both sides. I chose this character because of how he appeases to mortals and Gods, though he makes promises to help the other side he stays loyal to the Trojans, and mortals and Gods pray to and look up to him.