Hermes, the Olympian god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, heralds, boundaries, borders, fertility, flocks, and animal husbandry, holds a surprisingly violent place in Greek mythology. While often depicted as a mischievous trickster and swift messenger, the epithet "giant killer" isn't commonly associated with him. This title, however, subtly emerges when examining specific myths, particularly his encounter with Argus Panoptes, a being often described as a giant due to his immense size and the sheer number of his eyes. The connection isn't straightforward, and understanding why Hermes might be considered a "giant killer" requires exploring the nuances of his actions and the symbolic weight of his adversaries.
Before diving into the specifics of Hermes' actions, it's crucial to address the question: Why did Hermes’ death cause a plague? This question is based on a misconception. Hermes, being an Olympian god, is immortal. His death is not recorded in any reputable classical Greek source, and thus, a plague resulting from his demise is purely speculative. Any connection between a plague and Hermes would likely stem from his association with disease as a force of nature or perhaps a misunderstanding of a myth involving other figures. The focus, therefore, should be shifted to understanding his actions that might be interpreted as “giant-killing” feats, focusing on the context of the myths themselves.
Hermes Killing Argus: The Defining Act
The most prominent myth that contributes to a possible interpretation of Hermes as a "giant killer" is his slaying of Argus Panoptes. This event doesn't involve a literal giant in the sense of a monstrous, human-like being of immense stature. However, Argus, as described in various accounts, possessed characteristics that justify considering him a metaphorical giant.
Argos Panoptes, whose name translates to "All-Seeing," was a monstrous creature, a son of Zeus, according to some accounts (although others attribute his parentage differently). His most striking feature was his multitude of eyes—accounts vary, but it's generally accepted he possessed numerous eyes, perhaps hundreds, all of which were constantly vigilant. This constant surveillance made him an almost insurmountable guardian. This "all-seeing" nature, coupled with his often-implied immense size (although not explicitly stated as gigantic in the same vein as the Gigantes), lends itself to a metaphorical interpretation of him as a giant – a giant in terms of his perceptive abilities and the insurmountable challenge he presented.
The myth details how Hera, Zeus's wife, tasked Argus with guarding Io, a mortal woman whom Zeus had seduced and transformed into a cow to hide her from Hera's wrath. Argus's many eyes made him an effective and seemingly unbeatable guardian. Hermes, however, was sent by Zeus to rescue Io. This mission required cunning and guile, not brute strength. This is where the “killing” aspect becomes crucial to understanding the context of this event.
How Did Hermes Kill Argus?
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