HERMES was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade,

thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, language and writing, athletic contests and
gymnasiums, astronomy and astrology. He was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus, King of
the Gods, and also the guide of the dead who led souls down into the underworld.
Hermes was depicted as either a handsome and athletic, beardless youth or as an older, bearded
man, with winged boots and a herald's wand.

HERMES MYTHS
As a new-born infant Hermes snuck out of his crib, stole the cattle of the god Apollon, and crafted
the first lyre from a tortoise-shell. Zeus was so amused by the young god's antics that he granted
him a place as one of the twelve supreme gods of Olympos. <<More>>
Hermes transformed the tell-tale, herdsman Battos into a stone as punishment for reporting his theft
of Apollon's cattle. <<More>>
He was sent by Zeus to slay the hundred-eyed giant Argos Panoptes who had been commanded by
Hera to guard Zeus' paramour Io. <<More>>
He assisted the hero Perseus in his quest to slay the Gorgon Medousa, providing guidance and gifts
from the gods. <<More>>
Hermes seduced the beautiful princess Khione (Chione) on the same night as his half-brother
Apollon. <<More>>
He gave Odysseus a magical herb to protect the hero from the magic of the treacherous witch Kirke
(Circe). <<More>>
Many other myths are detailed over the following pages.

SYMBOLS & ATTRIBUTES

Hermes' most distinctive attribute was the herald's wand (Greek kerykeion, Latin caduceus) but he
was sometimes armed instead with a short sword. The god was clothed in a knee-length robe
(chiton) with a short cloak (chlamys), winged boots, and a brimmed, traveller's hat. The hat was
often winged. <<More>>
Another unique symbol of the god was the herma, a stone road-marker which doubled as a small
wayside shrine. The most primitive hermae were simple, upright standing-stones while the more
elaborate were rectangular statuettes sculpted with the head of the god, a phallus, and his herald's
wand symbol. <<More>>
Below are some examples of his attributes as depicted in ancient Greek art:-
1. Herald's wand; 2. Herald's wand head; 3. Short sword; 4. Herma;