preview

Hermes: Mercury In Roman Mythology

Decent Essays

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. Often depicted as swift and youthful, Hermes was believed to be responsible for guiding departed souls to the underworld. The name 'Hermes' literally means 'boundary marker.' In fact, in ancient Athens, many boundary markers (usually just stone piles) were decorated by a bust of Hermes. Since he was identified with gymnastics, his image was usually located at the entrance to gymnasiums. This god was also the patron of invention, art, literature, trade, and travel. In

Get Access