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Hermes

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Hermes the Guide

Besides being the appointed herald to the gods, Hermes was also a guide of men, women, gods and spirits. Hermes conducted the souls of the dead to the Underworld as well as leading goddesses to the tops of mountains. Students should investigate Hermes’ role in Greek mythology as a guide. They should begin with the example citations offered below. After some investigating, students should answer the questions posed below or question you devise. Students should pay close attention to the idea of Hermes as a go-between, who acts as a middle man between gods and men.

Citation Who He Guides
Aeschylus Eumenides 87 Guides Orestes on his Journey as a Suppliant
Apollodorus 2.4.2 Guides Perseus to Phorcides
Apollodorus Epitome 3.2 Guides Hera, Athena and Aphrodite to Mount Ida
Aristophanes Frogs, line 1120 Aeschylus calls on Hermes as the guide of the souls of the dead
Euripides, Andromache
lines 274-282
Guides Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to Mount Ida
Euripides, Helen line 40 Safely conveys Helen to the House of Proteus
Euripides, Medea line 759 Hermes is referred to as the Patron of Travelers
Euripides, Rhesus line 218 Hermes will convey Dolon safely to fetch the head of Odysseus
Homer Odyssey 11.625 Guides Herakles to Hades
Homer Odyssey 24.1 Guides the souls of the dead suitors to Hades
Homeric Hymn 2: To Demeter
line 335
Guides Persephone from the Underworld to her mother Demeter
Homeric Hymn 4: To Hermes et al Hermes is given the responsibility of guide and messenger
Homeric Hymn 18: To Hermes
line 3
Hermes is the luck-bringing guide
Pausanias 3.32.4 Guides the souls to Hades
Sophocles Ajax 833 Guides the souls to Hades

Questions

1. Why is Hermes the one who leads the souls of the dead to Hades?
2. Why do the gods need an escort to their destinations? Is this a tradition the Greeks had for their own travels?
3. Is Hermes worshipped any where in association with the dead?

Associated Items and Beings << Table of Contents >> Hermes' Personality

 

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