The Origins and Beliefs of Hermes the Messenger

The Origins and Beliefs of Hermes the Messenger Hidden in the corner of a library shelf, among countless dusty tomes, sits a small book with foxed pages. Its leather binding is old and worn, but on opening it the reader finds an introduction so intriguing that they cannot put it down. It tells the story of the ancient Greek god Hermes, who was known as the messenger of the gods and also as a trickster figure liable to deceive those around him for his own amusement.

Moreover, this book reveals that although such information had once been commonplace among scholars, by the early 19th century almost all knowledge of this deity had been forgotten. Yet hidden away in that library shelf was one obscure book which revealed its secrets once more. This article explores the origins and beliefs concerning Hermes in ancient Greece and modern society today.

Who was Hermes? Hermes was the god of commerce and communication, representing everything from travel and trade to diplomacy and language. Although he was also the patron of herdsmen, flocks and livestock, his domain was not solely rural but also encompassed the city, where he protected the exchange of goods and facilitated the flow of information.

Hermes was also a psychopomp – a guide of souls – in the sense that he was responsible for bringing the newly deceased to the entrance of the underworld. He also served as the messenger of the gods, a role he shared with his twin brother, the god of death, dreams and creative inspiration, Hades. As a god of communication, words were both his primary tool and his primary focus, which has led to Hermes being described as the ‘language god’.

It is for this reason that he is connected with the invention of the first ‘alphabet’. Why did ancient Greeks worship Hermes? Ancient Greek references to Hermes show that his worship was associated with that of the other Olympian gods. His role as a god of communication was also significant to the Greeks as a people since it was their primary means of interacting with their neighbours and beyond.

By the 4th century BCE, when written sources begin to mention Hermes’ role in religious practices, he had acquired many of the attributes of other deities, such as Apollo and Dionysus. He became associated with Heracles and Pan and was a patron of the young and of athletic endeavours, such as gymnastics. The earliest evidence for Hermes’ worship comes from the Mycenaean Period (c.