Hermes
	"Mercury," by Cornelius Van Cleve

Hermes is known as the messenger God. He is not only the fastest of the Gods, but the most clever. He wears a winged hat, winged sandals and carries. He also carries a caduceus, a rod entwined with two serpents.

Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. His father is the sky-god Zeus. His mother is Maia, Goddess of clouds and also the grand-daughter of the Titan Atlas.

This wise God is also well known as a cunning thief. At birth, he escaped from his swaddling bands and ran to Thessaly, where he stole some of Apollo's oxen. He drove them home carefully, covering their tracks to confuse pursuit. Along the way, he found a tortoise shell which he fashioned into a lyre using leather bands from the oxen. Apollo later found him playing the lyre and, noticing the leather strings, became enraged as he realized where his cattle had gone. Hermes gave Apollo the lyre as a peace offering.

Hermes is also known as the messenger God. It he who walks souls to the River Styx after their deaths. He is also the legendary liason between Olympus and the deities on Earth, conveying their instruction from above. He acts as a messenger during the story of the abduction of Persephone by Hades. He is also the guide of dreams.

Hermes was an inventor. He created the lyre by drilling holes in a tortoise shell, later gifting this to Apollo. He also invented a flute, which he later gave to Apollo in exchange for the caduceus. Foot racing and boxing were also reportedly invented by Hermes, who was a God with great agility and speed.

One common story involving Hermes is the his battle with Argus. Zeus had an affair with Io, and to hide the affair he turned Io into a cow. Ever clever Hera tricked Zeus into making a gift to her of the prized cow and had the hundred-eyed Argus guard it. Zeus then tasked Hermes with freeing his emprisoned lover. Hermes played his flute to the delighted Argus until he closed all of his hundred eyes and slept. Hermes then beheaded him.

In Roman mythology, Hermes is referred to as Mercury.

Genealogy: Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. His children include Hermaphroditus, Pan and Abderus.