HERMES - MESSENGER OF THE GODS

HERMES, messenger of the gods, was the son of the god Zeus and of Maia, the
daughter of the Titan Atlas. As the special servant and courier of Zeus, Hermes
had winged sandals and a winged hat and bore a golden Caduceus, or magic wand,
entwined with snakes and surmounted by wings. He conducted the souls of the dead
to the underworld and was believed to possess magical powers over sleep and
dreams. Hermes was also the god of commerce, and the protector of traders and
herds. As the deity of athletes, he protected gymnasiums and stadiums and was
believed to be responsible for both good luck and wealth. Despite his virtuous
characteristics, Hermes was also a dangerous foe, a trickster, and a thief.

On the day of his birth he stole the cattle of his brother, the sun god Apollo,
obscuring their trail by making the herd walk backward. When confronted by
Apollo, Hermes denied the theft. The brothers were finally reconciled when
Hermes gave Apollo his newly invented lyre.

Hermes was represented in early Greek art as a mature, bearded man; in classical
art he became an athletic youth, nude and beardless.