CL_HUM 1060 Lecture 9: Hermes
13 Feb 2017
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Aspects of hermes: protector of travelers. Protector and guide of all kinds of travelers. Carved pillar with head of hermes on top and a penis on front. Sacred and very popular; thought to bring good luck and success. Ward off evil/bad luck from houses and other areas: apotropaic: ward off bad luck. Set up to mark boundaries and distances: messenger and god of boundaries. Messenger of the gods: so is iris, goddess of the rainbow. Escorts souls of the dead to the underworld: hermes pyschopompos: psych = soul; pompos = guide, prince of thieves . Trickster figure (like prometheus: protector of flocks. Brings fertility and good health to shepherds and their flocks. Broad brimmed, or conical with wings: winged boots or sandals. Swiftness as a messenger: herald"s staff (caduceus) Shorter, circles or snakes wrapped around it; wings: bearded, but also younger and beardless. Son of zeus and maia (a daughter of atlas)
