Unchanged by any teller — how the centuries since have seen Hermes.
The gallery
Hermes and the Infant Dionysus
Attributed to Praxiteles, c. 340 BC
A marble statue attributed to Praxiteles, discovered in 1877 in the ruins of the Temple of Hera at Olympia and now in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. It shows Hermes pausing on his journey to deliver the infant Dionysus to the nymphs who would raise him, the god's missing right arm once dangling an object before the reaching child. The soft modelling and relaxed contrapposto have made it one of the most admired works of fourth-century BC Greek sculpture.
Flying Mercury
Giambologna, c. 1580
A bronze statue by the Mannerist sculptor Giambologna, now in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence. The messenger god is caught in full flight, balanced on one foot upon a breath of air issuing from the mouth of a wind god, caduceus in hand and winged sandals barely touching the earth. Its weightless poise made it one of the most influential and widely reproduced sculptures of the late Renaissance.
On screen
Hercules
Ron Clements & John Musker
Disney's winged messenger is all sunglasses and rapid-fire delivery — Hermes as celestial courier and comic MC, complete with the gospel Muses on call.
The Odyssey
Andrei Konchalovsky
Konchalovsky's miniseries keeps Hermes in his Homeric office: the god who brings moly to Odysseus on Circe's island and clears the path home.
Jason and the Argonauts
Don Chaffey
Harryhausen's adventure puts Hermes among the Olympians watching Jason's voyage — the messenger at the edge of the divine board.
In play
Hades
Supergiant Games
Hermes' boons are all dash and haste — the fleet-footed god as the run's tempo, chattering from the surface while Zagreus sprints.
Hades II
Supergiant Games
He remains the Olympian of speed in the sequel, now pacing Melinoë's hunt with the same restless wit.