Legends of Greece and Rome
Hermes
Hermes was the son of Zeus and the nymph Maia. He was a trickster. Mischieveous from birth. Maia turned her back on him for a second when he was an infant and, In that time, he sped through boyhood and sneaked away. He noticed Apollo and decided to steal his cattle as a trick on the god. When Apollo was asleep, Hermes led the cattle out of the fields backwards so that their direction could not be traced. When they were free of the field he put shoes on them which would leave no prints and led then back to his cave.
Apollo enlisted the help of the Satyrs to find his cattle and they eventually discovered Hermes' cave, hearing the most beautiful music coming from it. Hermes' nurse told them that the young god had made a wondourous instrument from a tortoise shell and cowgut.
The Satyrs returned to Apollo and told him what they had heard. Apollo went straight to the cave and seized Hermes, taking him to mount Olympus to stand in trial before Zeus. He eventually admitted to his crime when he realised that his lies were not believed, and offered his half brother the remaining cattle and the lyre. This later became Apollo's signature instrument.
Zeus realised the ingenuity of his son and offered him many responsibilities and honours. He also discovered that Hermes would tell the truth, but only part of it, and only if it was in his best interests. Hermes then became the god of business and commerce. He was also the god of the rhetoric and misleading statement or question.
Hermes was quick footed and stealthy and this made him the perfect messenger for the gods and a leader for the dead. He was the only one who knew his way along the path to the underworld. Because of his knowledge of all pathways, Hermes also became the patron god of travellers
Source: 'Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome'
Morgan J. Roberts
