Take a Message
Although Hermes had resolved his dispute with Apollo, he was still in trouble for his mischief. He was called before his father to be reprimanded. Hermes, however, charmed Zeus and convinced him that he would never again tell a lie. However, the cunning Hermes wanted something in return for his promise: to become Zeus's messenger.
Zeus agreed and gave his son a pair of winged golden sandals, which allowed him to travel with the speed of the wind. He also gave Hermes a wide-brimmed hat and a herald's staff, which became the symbol of his position as messenger of the gods.
As a messenger, Hermes undertook missions on behalf of the other gods and was often entrusted with their secrets and even their welfare. Using his skill and cunning, Hermes usually succeeded in his missions. He even managed to keep his promise to Zeus that he wouldn't lie.
Here are some of Hermes' best-known adventures (but there were many others):
During Zeus's battle with Typhon, Zeus was left helpless when the monster stole his tendons. Hermes stole the tendons back and replaced them in Zeus's body. This gave Zeus the strength to overcome Typhon.
After the fifty Danaides (daughters of King Danaus) murdered their husbands, Zeus ordered that they be purified of the murders. Hermes and Athena were responsible for the purifications.
When Io, Zeus's lover, was changed into a heifer, Hera sent Argus (a hundred-eyed monster) to stand guard over her. To free Io, Zeus sent Hermes to kill Argus. Hermes killed the monster and helped Io to escape.
Zeus showed Ixion, king of Thessaly, great hospitality and allowed him to sit at the table of the gods on Mount Olympus. But Ixion responded by trying to seduce Hera. This breach of the rules of hospitality was unacceptable, and Zeus ordered Hermes to chain Ixion to an eternally revolving wheel of fire (some myths locate the wheel in the night sky; others put it in Tartarus).
When Otus and Ephialtes captured Ares and imprisoned him in a bronze jar, it was Hermes who eventually rescued the god of war.
After the Trojan War, Odysseus's journey home was interrupted by the sea nymph Calypso, who detained him on an island for several years. Calypso wanted Odysseus to become immortal and remain with her forever. Odysseus, however, wanted to go home. Zeus sent Hermes to convince Calypso to let Odysseus leave (which she did, although it broke her heart).
Upon Zeus's orders, Hermes led Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena to the Trojan prince Paris, who was being raised by a shepherd. The goddesses wanted Paris to settle their dispute about which was the most beautiful.
Zeus wanted to test mankind and asked Hermes to accompany him to Earth. The two gods wandered the world disguised as travelers. No one offered them hospitality except for one couple, Baucis and Philemon. The gods rewarded these two for their kindness.
When Dionysus was born, Zeus had to hide him from Hera's wrath. He entrusted his son to Hermes' care.
Zeus sent Hermes to the Underworld to retrieve Persephone from Hades.
Hermes often came to the aid of the other gods. Although he had a reputation for mischief, the Olympians respected and trusted him, enough to carry their important messages.
Some of the tasks given to Hermes were distinctly unpleasant. For example, he once had to sell Heracles into slavery as part of that hero's purification for committing murder.
