Hermes

=**HERMES**= Hermes is the son of Zeus, King of the Gods, and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades, daughter of Atlas. He is the Greek god of Travelers and Troubleshooting, Speech and Eloquence, Thieves, Shepherds and Herders, Inventors, Merchants, Science, Art, Writing, Boundaries, Motion, Sleep and Dreams, and Commerce. Hermes is also the Messenger of the Gods which makes him the only God to be able to converse directly with any mortals. Another of Hermes' jobs is to escort souls of the dead to Hades, God of the Underworld.

This is Hermes' symbol. It is his staff which in Greek is called a //kerykerion// and in Latin //cadueceus.//



=Hermes Appearance= Hermes' appearance is known to be a young man that wore traveling clothes with a twined staff, winged hat and winged sandals. The wings represent him to be the speediest of all the gods. He carried his staff with him because it allowed him to gain access everywhere. =Hermes Strengths= Hermes' strengths was determination, boldness, cleverness and athleticism. He is also a powerful magician. He can control monsters with his flute or lyre music. =Hermes Weaknesses= Hermes doesn't really have a specific weakness other than staying still for a long time. Hermes is a strong god. =**Powers**= Hermes is the god of bringer of dreams and sleep. He is also known as the guider of souls or the herdsman of the dead. From the day of his birth he was known for his cunning and thief ways. =**Myths**=

**Hermes Steals Apollo's Cows**
In one myth when Hermes was a baby he left his cave while his mother was sleeping. He came across his half-brother, Apollo's, cows. He herded the cows away and as they walked he cunningly swept away their tracks. When Apollo went to his cows he couldn't find them anywhere. When he learned of Hermes' trick he went to find him. In one myth Hermes killed a tortoise and created the lyre out of it's shell. Hermes knew of his half-brother's love for music and when Apollo came for his cows Hermes traded him the lyre for the cows. Apollo accepted the trade and gave Hermes the cows and more and then left happily with the lyre.

**The Crocus Flower**
Crocus was a close friend of Hermes in Ancient Greece. One day the two men were throwing the disc to each other. Hermes hit Crocus in the head and Crocus was wounded fatally. Three drops of Crocus' blood fell upon the earth and were transformed into a small flower that had shiny stamens. This flower was named for Crocus to honor him as a Greek hero.

**How Hermes Became Messenger of the Gods**
In one myth Hermes was a famous runner. In one of the major events he fell and twisted his ankle and lost the race. He was cast out of the town for losing. Zeus took pity on Hermes and went to where to Hermes was. Zeus was disguised as a peasent and asked Hermes if he could have something to eat. Hermes, being generous, invited Zeus into his home. Zeus revealed himself and offered Hermes the job of becoming Messenger of the Gods. Zeus gave him 30 days before he was to go Olympus so that Zeus could make him immortal. Hermes told the people of the town but none of them believed him. Then on the 30th day Hermes rose into the air to Olympus proving to everyone that he wasn't a loser.

**Hermes Birthplace**
He was born on Mount Cylene in a cave.

Mother: Aphrodite - Hermaphroditus
Mother: Dryope nymph - Pan Mother: Unknown - Priapus