Chapter Five - Hermes

    Hermes was the messenger of the gods.  His Roman name was Mercury and he lived on Mount Olympus.  His parents were Zeus and a mountain nymph.
    His symbol of office as the divine messenger was his staff which was a willow wand entwined with snakes.  He was often shown as wearing a wide brimmed straw hat.
    From birth, he was a prankster and an inventive genius.  On his very first day of life, he found an empty shell of a tortoise.  He strung sinews across it and had created the first lyre.
    Hermes was known for his helpfulness to mankind.  He aided the heroes Odysseus and Perseus in their quests.  When Perseus faced the Gorgon Medusa, he gave him his magic sandals, which gave the wearer the ability to fly.
It was also Hermes' job to convey dead souls to the Underworld.




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