Hermes is the Greek God of roads, trade, thievery, and commerce. He also acts as a divine messenger between the gods and is known as a trickster. He also seems to be the god that helps bring good fortune to those when they are in a pickle, whether it be gods or humans. He is also the only god capable of crossing between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Jump to:
Hermes Greek God: The Favorite
Perhaps it was because he interacted in a unique way with each of the gods and goddesses, but he had a good relationship with each one of them. He was the favorite of Zeus and acted as his right-hand man in many of Zeus's dealings with the gods and mortals.
Apollo: Apollo became angry at Hermes when he learned of the cattle that were stolen. To win back Apollo, he crafted a lyre (harp) out of an empty tortoise shell and sheep guts. Apollo loved the gift so much that he forgave Hermes and promised to be his closest friend.
Artemis: Hermes and Artemis also had a unique relationship. The goddess of the hunt taught Hermes the art of killing animals.
Demeter: When she lost her daughter, Persephone, to the underworld, Hermes communicated with Hades and led her back to her mother.
Zeus: Was a trusted son of the thunder god and sent to kill Argus, the one-hundred-eyed monster that Hera had sent to spy on Zeus's love interest, Io.
Hermes' unique position as a messenger gave him contact with the deities in a different way than the others. He was the only god who had consistent contact with Hades in the underworld and was able to use his relationship to benefit himself many times. It is fitting that he was known as the god of trade, which was dependant upon a good network.
Hermes Greek God: Odysseus and Jason
Hermes and Apollo fell in love with the same woman and slept with her on the same day. She bore twins, with one favoring Apollo and the other Hermes. Hermes' son Autoclys became a trickster and went on to have two daughters: Anticlea and Polymede.
Anticlea became the mother of Odysseus.
Polymede became the mother of Jason.
Both Greek heroes came from the line of Hermes.