Story Summary
Explore the myth of Hermes and the Cattle of Apollo. Witness the birth of the trickster god, his clever theft, and the invention of the lyre in this classic tale.
Born at dawn to the nymph Maia and the king of gods Zeus, the infant Hermes was no ordinary child. By midday, he had already ventured from his cave and discovered a tortoise; with divine ingenuity, he scooped out the shell and stretched sheep-gut strings across it, inventing the first lyre. By evening, mischief led him to Pieria, where he stole fifty of Apollo’s sacred cattle. To mask his crime, Hermes fashioned giant brushwood sandals to disguise his own prints and led the cows backward, making it appear as though the herd was walking toward the pasture rather than away from it. When Apollo, the god of prophecy, discovered the theft, he tracked the infant to his cradle. Outraged, Apollo dragged the babe to Mount Olympus for judgment. Zeus, though amused by his son's audacity and clever lies, ordered Hermes to return the herd. To settle the debt, Hermes played a melody on his new lyre. The music was so hauntingly beautiful that Apollo was instantly enchanted. He agreed to let Hermes keep the cattle in exchange for the instrument, and the two gods formed an eternal bond of friendship.
The Moral
Wit and creativity can resolve even the deepest conflicts and turn a potential enemy into a lifelong ally.
“Music is the only currency that can pay a debt to the gods.”
Fun Fact
This myth is famously recounted in the 'Homeric Hymn to Hermes,' one of the oldest and most humorous pieces of literature from ancient Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Hermes and the Cattle of Apollo?
The story teaches that intelligence and creativity can be used to mend bridges. It shows how negotiation and the offering of something of value can turn a mistake into a partnership.
How did Hermes hide the tracks of the stolen cattle?
Hermes used two clever tricks: he fashioned giant sandals out of brushwood to mask his own footprints and forced the cattle to walk backward so their tracks pointed in the wrong direction.
What musical instrument did Hermes invent in this myth?
Hermes invented the lyre. He created it using the shell of a tortoise he found outside his cave and strings made from sheep gut.
Why did Apollo forgive Hermes for stealing his herd?
Apollo was a lover of beauty and music; when he heard the divine sound of the lyre Hermes had created, he was so moved that he accepted the instrument as a fair trade for his cattle.
Who are the parents of Hermes?
Hermes is the son of Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, and Maia, a Pleiad and the daughter of the titan Atlas.
What roles did Hermes gain following this myth?
Following this display of cunning, Hermes became known as the messenger of the gods, the patron of thieves, and the god of commerce and travelers.
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