Chapter 2: The Olympians
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♠ Homeric Hymn to Hermes 4.1-9
Muse, sing of Hermes, the son of Zeus and Maia, lord of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, the luck-bringing messenger of the immortals whom Maia bare, the rich-tressed nymph, when she was joined in love with Zeus, —a shy goddess, for she avoided the company of the blessed gods, and lived within a deep, shady cave. There the son of Cronos used to lie with the rich-tressed nymph, unseen by deathless gods and mortal men, at dead of night while sweet sleep should hold white-armed Hera fast. Greek Text
♠ Homeric Hymn to Hermes 18.1-9
I sing of Cyllenian Hermes, the Slayer of Argus, lord of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, luck-bringing messenger of the deathless gods. He was born of Maia, the daughter of Atlas, when she had mated with Zeus, — a shy goddess she. Ever she avoided the throng of the blessed gods and lived in a shadowy cave, and there the Son of Cronos used to lie with the rich-tressed nymph at dead of night, while white-armed Hera lay bound in sweet sleep: and neither deathless god nor mortal man knew it. Greek Text
♠ Homeric Hymn to Hermes 4.572-73
also that he only should be the appointed messenger to Hades, who, though he takes no gift, shall give him no mean prize. Greek Text
♠ Homeric Hymn to Demeter 2.334-39
Now when all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer heard this, [335] he sent the Slayer of Argus whose wand is of gold to Erebus, so that having won over Hades with soft words, he might lead forth chaste Persephone to the light from the misty gloom to join the gods, and that her mother might see her with her eyes and cease from her anger. Greek Text
♠ Alkaios 308 LP – Poetarum Lesbiorum Fragmenta, p. 261, ed. E. Lobel and D. L. Page. Oxford 1955
♠ Homer, Odyssey 14.435
One with a prayer he set aside for the nymphs and for Hermes, son of Maia Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 15.214
if in despite of me, and of Athene, driver of the spoil, and of Hera, and Hermes, and lord Hephaestus, he shall spare steep Ilios Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 2.103-4
and Zeus gave it to the messenger Argeïphontes; and Hermes, the lord, gave it to Pelops, driver of horses. Greek Text
Literary sources edited by Elena Bianchelli, Retired Senior Lecturer of Classical Languages and Culture, Univ. of Georgia, February 2021
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