LCT15: Hermes Flashcards
Four Aspects of Hermes
- protector of Travelers
- messenger and god of boundaries
- “prince of thieves”
- protector of flocks
What does greek word, ‘herma’ mean? What does it do?
stone-pile - way points for travelers and bring good luck
Hermes means…
“god of the stone-pile”
The Herm
carved pillar with a head of Hermes and a penis
What does ‘The Herm’ do?
wards off evil from houses, other areas = apotropaic, marks boundaries/distances
- sacred and very popular
Apotropaic
power to avert evil influences or bad luck
What does Hermes do for travelers?
protects and guides them
Where is Hermes the messenger? For whom?
intermediary between worlds - messenger of the gods (along with Iris, goddess of the rainbow)
What is a job Hermes does as a messenger?
escorts souls of the dead to the underworld
“escort of souls”
Hermes Psychopompos
What is one of Hermes gifts? Like who?
cleaver, devious thief - a trickster figure
As a protect of flocks, what does he do?
brings fertility and good health to shepherds and their flocks - sometimes represented as a shepherd
Hermes Appearance
- hat
- winged boots/sandals
- heralds staff (caduceus)
- bearded, but can also be younger and beardless
Hermes is the son of who?
Zeus and Maia (daughter of Atlas)
Where was Hermes born? What does he find? What does he invent?
born in Maia’s cave - leaves cradle at once and finds a tortoises - invents a lyre out of tortoise shell
