Hermes (Greek god)
Hermes is a divine messenger associated with commerce and guiding souls in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The OdysseyThe OdysseyThe Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic traditionally attributed to Homer (epic poet). Across 24 books it follows Odysseus’s return to Ithaca after the Trojan War and reunion with Penelope (Greek mythology) and Telemachus, interweaving sea adventures, recognition, household order and human choices.Open the full entry he carries Zeus (Greek god)Zeus (Greek god)Zeus (Greek god) is king of the gods and a deity of the sky, thunder and order in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The Odyssey he presides over divine decisions, enforces prohibitions and helps Athena (Greek goddess) bring the final conflict to an end.Open the full entry’s orders, assists OdysseusOdysseusOdysseus is the legendary hero of Ithaca, protagonist of The Odyssey and a Greek leader in The Iliad. His long return from the Trojan War to Penelope (Greek mythology) and Telemachus centers on cunning, disguise, endurance and recognition.Open the full entry against CirceCirceCirce is a goddess associated with drugs and transformation in Greek mythology. In The Odyssey she turns members of Odysseus’s crew into pigs, later restores them and gives essential guidance for their onward journey.Open the full entry and leads the suitors’ souls to the underworld.
Contents5 sections
Key facts
Messenger and Guide
Hermes has roles as divine messenger, protector of commerce and guide of souls. The herald’s staff identifies him, while Roman imagery can add a purse associated with trade. A Mercury statuette at the Canellopoulos Museum represents this artistic tradition connected to Greek Hermes.[1]
The Mission to Calypso
In Odyssey Book 5, Hermes carries Zeus (Greek god)’s instruction that Calypso (Greek mythology)Calypso (Greek mythology)Calypso (Greek mythology) is the goddess on Ogygia in The Odyssey who shelters and detains Odysseus and offers him immortality. After Hermes conveys Zeus (Greek god)’s order, she releases him and helps equip his raft and voyage.Open the full entry release Odysseus. She protests unequal treatment of divine-mortal relationships but accepts the order. His task is to communicate the decision, not to sail the hero home himself.[2]
Protection Against Circe’s Drugs
In Book 10, Hermes gives Odysseus the magical plant moly and instructions for confronting Circe’s drugs and wand. Protected from the transformation suffered by his companions, Odysseus can obtain their restoration.[3]
Leading the Suitors’ Souls
At the opening of Book 24, Hermes gathers the dead suitors with his golden wand and leads them toward the underworld. The passage connects events on Ithaca with the memories of dead heroes and displays his distinct role as guide of souls.[4]