Hermes

= = =**Hermes**=

Hermes, son of Zeus and [|Maia], is the 'Jack of All Trades' god. He is the god of travelers, trade, thievery, diplomacy, athletic contests, astrology, astronomy, animal husbandry, language, writing, persuasion, roads, assistant to both Zeus as a messenger, and Hades as a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was also an inventor, like Prometheus. He was the inventor of fire, and is credited for all sports. Along with, Persephone, [|Hecate], and [|Thanatos], Hermes is one of the only gods/deities that can pass through the Underworld without interference.

Hermes is most known for stealing Apollo's cows. When he was two days old, in the evening, he took Apollo's cows while he slept. He hid them inside a cave in [|Mt. Cyllene] and went back to his home and pretended to sleep. Apollo woke up, realized his cows were missing, but became frustrated at the fact that the tracks made no sense; as Hermes designed them. As the god of prophecy, Apollo knew it was Hermes, so he went to where Hermes pretended to sleep and confronted him. Hermes continued to deny the thievery, and was brought to Zeus by Apollo to decide the matter. At [|Olympus], Hermes tried persuading Zeus that it wasn't him; but Zeus saw through him. Amused by the story, Hermes was only ordered to give the cattle back, and nothing more. Zeus was also impressed at the wit and cunningness of Hermes and inducted him into Olympus soon thereafter.



Relevance to the Lightning Thief
When Percy was first admitted into Camp Half-Blood, his father was unknown, therefore he couldn't be selected for one cabin specifically to be sponsored. Because Hermes had many children and was not picky about who he sponsered, most of the demi-gods/heroes thought Percy was the son of Hermes. Hermes never appears physically as a character in the Lightning Thief.

Works Cited

Riordan, Rick. //The Lightning Thief//. New York: Miramax Books, 2005. Print.

Rouse, W.H.D. //Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece//. New York: New American Library, 1957. Print.

Theoi. “Hermes.” //Theoi//. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. .

Wikipedia Foundation. “Hermes.” //Wikipedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. .