Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, the daughter of the Titan Atlas. He was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. His mother hid him from Zeus because she was afraid of his jealous wife, Hera.
Hermes was a precocious child. He was born with a talent for music and poetry, and he could talk and walk within hours of being born. He also had a mischievous streak, and he loved to play tricks on the gods and goddesses.
Hermes’ Childhood Pranks
One of Hermes’ most famous pranks was when he stole Apollo's cattle. Apollo was furious and he demanded that Zeus punish Hermes. Zeus, however, found Hermes's pranks amusing, and he refused to punish him.
Another time, Hermes stole Hephaestus's tools. Hephaestus was a skilled craftsman, and his tools were very valuable. He was furious when he discovered that Hermes had stolen them, and he demanded that Zeus return them. Zeus, however, refused to do so, and he told Hephaestus that he would have to find a way to get them back himself.
Hermes’ Role as Messenger of the Gods
Despite his mischievous nature, Hermes was also a very important god. He was the messenger of the gods, and he was responsible for carrying their messages to and from the mortal world. He also served as a guide to travelers, and he was known for his speed and agility.
Hermes’ Symbol
The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes. It is a staff with two snakes winding around it. The caduceus is a symbol of peace and prosperity, and it is also associated with medicine.