Hermes even became a patron of markets, merchants, travellers and athletes. He was also associated with an array of other interests including fertility, luck, roads and borders. Her son became quite the industrious young man, inventing the lyre from a tortoise shell, and developing skills in flying and public speaking that made him the perfect messenger. Hermes’ mother was a mountain nymph named Maia, and she gave birth to Hermes alone in a mountain cave. Hermes Hermes, son of Zeus, statue, 1st century BCE to 1st century CE, image courtesy of Christie’sĪnother of Zeus’s most famous sons is Hermes, who became messenger of the gods and carrier of the dead to Hades. Funnily enough, he turned out quite like his father, featuring dominantly in many Greek myths, and enjoying a string of love affairs that usually ended badly.Ģ. He is often described and portrayed in art and literature as the ideal male beauty, with a strong, muscular and athletic build. When he grew up, Apollo became the Greek god of sun, light, music and poetry, as well as archery, agriculture, healing, prophecy, order and beauty. Apollo was conceived during an illicit affair between Zeus and Leto (Zeus was married to Hera at the time), along with a twin sister named Artemis. Of all the sons Zeus fathered, Apollo is perhaps the best known. Apollo: Zeus’ Best-Known Son Apollo (son of Zeus) statue, 2nd century CE, Vatican, image courtesy of the Vatican Museum, Rome
