Mercury, known as Mercurius in Roman mythology, holds the title of the deity governing commerce. He serves a vital role as an intermediary between gods and humans, recognized for his remarkable speed due to his winged sandals, which also symbolize the flow of goods, messages, and people. Mercury is venerated by merchants, particularly those involved with grain trading, who seek his blessings for profitability and the protection of their merchandise. Moreover, he is often depicted as clever and crafty, engaging in mischievous behavior, particularly targeting Apollo with his tricks. As the offspring of Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods, and Maia, the goddess of the plains, Mercury’s roots can be traced back to a mixture of Roman and possibly foreign influences, closely resembling the Greek god Hermes. The name Mercurius likely originates from the Latin word “merx,” which means merchandise.
Mercury’s role extends to the afterlife where, like Hermes, he guided souls to the underworld. In one notable instance, while escorting the nymph Lara, he became the father to the twin Lares, who serve as Rome’s guardian deities. A temple dedicated to Mercury was established around 495 BCE on the Aventine Hill near Rome’s Circus Maximus. His festival, held on May 15, celebrates the temple’s foundation and his significance was not limited to Rome but extended to regions like Campania, Latium, Gaul, and Britain. Mercury is often illustrated with his caduceus, a wand symbolizing mediation, along with winged sandals for rapid communication between deities. Accompanying these items is the broad-brimmed hat called the Petasus and a purse, representing his commercial duties. Reflecting his importance, the planet closest to the sun bears his name.
In addition to commerce, he is also recognized as a protector of shepherds, tricksters, and thieves.
Mercury and Jupiter
The tales of Mercury in Roman mythology are abundant. He was tasked with reminding the Trojan hero Aeneas of his destiny to leave Queen Dido and forge the future of Rome. Often accompanying Jupiter on his visits to Earth, the two gods encountered mortals in various stories. One particular narrative from Ovid’s Metamorphoses details an experience in which they were initially rebuffed by villagers, but were graciously welcomed by Baucis and Philemon, a humble couple. In gratitude for their hospitality, Jupiter sought to reward them; however, the couple only wished for a shared demise. Consequently, although Jupiter obliterated the rude village, he honored their request by making them guardians of a temple on the site of their former home.
The Thief
Mercury also held the title of the god of trickery and theft. Ovid recounts an amusing tale where he cleverly initiated his life as a thief. Battus, a herdsman, witnessed Mercury steal cattle and was tasked with remaining silent about it, receiving a heifer in return. When Mercury later disguised himself and tempted Battus with additional gifts, the herdsman divulged the secret, leading to Mercury’s wrath and Battus’s metamorphosis into stone.
Other Tales of Adventure
In another story, Mercury steps in to save Jupiter from the rage of Hera. When Jupiter was involved with Io, the daughter of Inachus, Mercury alerted him about Hera’s impending arrival. In haste, Jupiter transformed Io into a heifer. To guard the disguised Io, Hera assigned her to Argus, the many-eyed watchman. Mercury, however, used his storytelling skills to lull Argus into slumber before striking him down, ultimately freeing Io.
The narratives surrounding Mercury occasionally mesh with those of Hermes, making distinctions between them challenging. In conjunction with stories involving Demeter and her daughter Proserpina (Persephone), it is Mercury who is known to guide her to the underworld, paralleling the duties of Hermes in Greek myth.
One last noteworthy tale describes Mercury’s escapades as a young child—a narrative more typically linked to Hermes. Demonstrating his innate talents, he constructed a lyre from a tortoise shell. However, he soon slipped away from his mother and stole Apollo’s cattle. After a brief feast on two of the animals, he returned home, leading to Apollo discovering the truth while seeking restitution on Olympus. Mercury was ultimately compelled to return the cattle and gifted the lyre to Apollo as compensation.
