HERMES

Hermes is a Greek god known as the messenger of the gods, especially serving Zeus. He is the god of travel, commerce, communication, thieves, and trickery. Hermes is also associated with speed and mobility, often depicted wearing winged sandals (talaria) and a winged helmet. He carries a caduceus — a staff with two snakes entwined around it. Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades. As a baby, he was incredibly clever — according to myth, he invented the lyre on the day of his birth and even stole Apollo’s cattle! Besides delivering messages, Hermes also guides the souls of the dead to the underworld, making him a psychopomp (soul guide). In Roman mythology, he is known as Mercury.