Greek God Hermes

Of all of the gods that that the ancient Greeks recognized and paid tribute to the god Hermes was perhaps the one that was called on the most as he really was what one might refer to today as a multi-tasker. He was the son of Zeus and Maia who were siblings of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Ancient Greek artwork that features depictions of Hermes show him as being a handsome man in his mid twenties with winged sandals and wearing a cap with wigs on it as well.

The list of accomplishments and the things that the Greeks credited Hermes with having at least some part in achieving or creating is quite extensive so it can be assumed that if an ancient Greek had a problem that defied simple classification Hermes was the obvious god to turn to for assistance. Other features of Hermes that made him easy and desirable to turn to was the fact that he could function as a messenger between gods and mortals and could that he could also speak or converse directly with mortals.

Hermes had a lot of jobs and responsibilities as he was the patron god for many Greeks in a variety diverse occupations in ancient Greek society. He was the patron god that shepherds and herders paid tribute to as well as the patron god of travelers as. Hermes was also the patron god of inventors and was in fact credited with inventing fire and boxing by the ancient Greeks.

Hermes was also credited with having some less than noble attributes as well and was looked to as the patron god of thieves and liars as well. Hermes must have been viewed as a very energetic and busy god by the ancient Greeks because his work didn't end when a person died as it was another task of Hermes to escort the souls of the dead down to the underworld to be handed over to Hades.

This one job of Hermes was viewed by the ancient Greeks as being very special, because just as in most other societies, the realm of the souls of the dead was seen as a place that had a one way door on it in that once entered there was no leaving. There were only two other gods that Greeks accredited with being able to pass in and out of the Underworld and those two gods were Hades himself and his consort Persephone.