File:Hermes - Greek mythology systematized (1880) (14723236766).jpg

Identifier: greekmythologysy00scul (find matches)
Title: Greek mythology systematized
Year: 1880 (1880s)
Authors: Scull, Sarah Amelia
Subjects: Mythology, Greek Emblems
Publisher: Philadelphia : Porter & Coates
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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-centres—Athens, Rome, Berlin, etc. Modern Research. Examinations at Ephesus by Mr. Wood have revealedinteresting relics of the worship of Diana of the Ephe-sians. HERMES IHe/mesl OR MERCURY. (Table B, 20.)Central Ideas. The conception of the god Hermes passed throughvaried stages of belief, and it incorporated so many ofthe distinctive features of each that it presents an ex-ceedingly complex subject for mythologic study. There are unmistakable evidences that Hermes origin-ally belonged to a Pelasgic elemental worship, in whichhe was regarded as an embodiment of the productive-ness of Nature, and to him was assigned special pro-tection of flocks and herds. In this system specialimportance was attached to the influence of this godin his relation to human births. HERMES. 167 It was but natural that with the protection of herds fand flocks Hermes should be considered as special patron of the wealth that came through the possession of them. It was just as natural to extend that patron-
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Hermes, or Mercury. age until it comprehended all systems of human effortwhose end is wealth ; and since Hermes was not sup-posed to possess high moral qualities, his devotees im-plored his aid less in choice of right methods than in l68 GREEK MYTHOLOGY. the success of undertakings. Hermes seems to be a personified practical wisdom that is entirely independentbt moraTconsider^tions ; a^OiLlh^iJS^mayJijj/e been, inthis creation of Greek mythology, a foreshadowing oftliarpbTTcv^^ the end to justify ;^nv means. Hermes was not, like Athena and Apollo, a deitywho energized and directed intellectual power, butrather one whose object was to utilize by expressingit^ hence he was the god of speech and oratory. Thecommunication of the thoughts and will of the gods toman offered a most important office to some deity ; andno one could so well fill it as the clear-sighted, self-con-tained, eloquent Hermes ; so he was made messengerto the gods, and his mighty circuit embraced Olympus,earth, and Had

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