Hermes
by CTCWeb Editors
Hermes' Personality
Unlike Ares, Hermes tends towards the lighter side of the human personality. Students should look that following primary text entries for Hermes that deal with his personality. The anthropomorphic version of Hermes offers insight into his role in the great scheme of Greek life.
Sculpture Description, Parthenon West Pediment - Hermes comes to the aid of Athena.
Aeschylus Eumenides 87 - Hermes acts as guide to Orestes as a favor to his brother, Apollo.
Aristophanes, Frogs line 1144 - Hermes is referred to as the “Luck Bringer” by Dionysos.
Aristotle, Rhetoric 2.24.1, note 5 - Hermes is the luck bringer and if someone happens to find a sum of money they refer to Hermes as liberal to others or sociable as half of the found money goes to the person accompanying the finder.
Homer Iliad 5.385 - Hermes saves Ares from his captivation in a jar by Otus and Ephialtes.
Homer Iliad 20.34 - Hermes the helper, cunning beyond all others in his mind.
Homer Iliad 24.334 - Hermes the companion of men.
Homeric Hymn 18: To Hermes, line 12 - Hermes is called the “giver of grace, guide, and giver of good things.”
Pausanias 9.22.2 - Hermes the Champion who leads youths and routs the Eubeans.
Apollodorus 3.10.2 - The story of Hermes the baby who steals Apollo’s cattle. Hermes tricks to out smart Apollo and Zeus to get away with the theft.
Aristophanes, Peace line 328 - The chorus refers to Hermes as the cleverest of the gods and asks him to guide them in their work to foil a plot against the gods.
Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae line 1200 - Euripides thanks Hermes, the cunning god, for his help since everything in turning out well.
Euripides, Rhesus line 218 - The chorus wishes Dolon well as he is to be guided by Hermes, “the prince of tricksters.”
Homer Iliad 20.34 - Hermes the helper, cunning beyond all others in his mind.
Homeric Hymn 4: To Hermes, et al.
Questions
1. Why might Hermes have the role as a helper to the gods?
2. Pausanias refers to Hermes as crafty and deceitful. Why might this be the case?
3. Do Hermes go from a trickster to helper as he goes older?
4. In Book 20 of his Iliad, Homer refers to Hermes as cunning above all others but also as the “Helper.” How can Hermes be both? Support your ideas with examples.
