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Hermes - Blog Posts
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The Assosiation of Odysseus with the Ram (an Odyssey and Iliad Analysis on Odysseus and Hermes)
Is there no one gonna talk on the fact that Odysseus escapes Polyphemus under a ram? A RAM! The ram is one of the sacred animals of HERMES! Also the association of Odysseus with the ram seems to be blatant and I am surprised no one talks of it! Hermes! The god that is his lineage and also arguably the one that helped him without conditions in his trip...is always there!
Hermes is also called Κριοφορος (Kriophoros)= ram-bearer, due to myths that involve him carry a ram around his back
Also in ancient art, Hermes is also depicted riding a ram!
Odysseus escapes Polyphemus and certain death UNDER a ram, when Hermes, the sender of souls to the underworld is depicted ON a ram! What is more the ram as black of color, a color associated to death and mourning as well as Hermes is associated with death!
Hermes is mentioned as "bearer of rams" and yet a lamb now bears Odysseus under it out of the cave!
Of course the most infamous association of Odysseus with a ram is that he is also compared to one! Infamously in the Iliad:
Secondly, the old man upon seeing Odysseus he asked: "Tell me now, dear child, who is that one. He is a head shorter than Agamemnon the son of Atreus but he seems to me wider in his shoulders and his chest, his arms he has them placed upon the well-graised earth. He seems to me like a thick-haired ram the way he prances through the lines of men as if they are a flock of white lambs"
(Translation by me)
Not only does Homer give us a very good physical description of Odysseus in the most beautiful way (ram= thick of hair, possibly curly and wholly -as also described in the Odyssey- possibly hairy of body as well also walking proud and steadily) as well as in a way his demeanour (the word "ram" κτίλος also means "calm" or "demured") but it also seems very interesting how he is associated with an animal known to be sacred to Hermes!
Hermes according to many myths was the father of his grandfather, Autolycus, therefore Odysseus's grea-grandfather! From line one he is associated with an animal that is also associated with his lineage (to me it seems that Homer more or less from line one shows us that this is the family line he follows for Odysseus)
Then a ram is his salvation out of the cave of Polyphemus; a ram that is associated with a god that is said to send souls to the dead also saves his life!
In Aeaea Hermes appears to assist him by giving him Moly and instructions on his trip. Hermes is there all by himself. Other gods have either abandoned him because of his hubris or were not interested in him. Hermes is there to bring assistance on his own accord. (Hermes is also a rule-breaker, just like Odysseus is not the classical figure of a hero and uses methods that are often seen as shady for the ideal warrior)
In the Underworld Odysseus once again has to sacrifice a ram, a BLACK ram and wait for Tiresias to drink from its blood.
A ram is also part of the sacrifice he has to offer to Poseidon (ram, bull and boar).
Hermes comes to bring the message to Ogygia and release Odysseus from it
Odysseus seems to be completely associated with the ram and it is more than just a coicidence to me. Arguably Odysseus who was described as a ram, travels in the Underworld, like Hermes travels to the underworld to bring the souls of the dead! This doesn't seem like a coicidence in my eyes.
Homer seems to be totally insinuating that the ram and consequently Hermes are part of his inheritence. Even the fact that Hermes is often seen as a trickster and a rule-breaker seems to be connected to Odysseus and his behavior or demeanour.
Hermes is also associated as protector of travelers and wanderers and this is exactly what Odysseus is in the Odyssey! Moreover Odysseus and Hermes are associated with the iconography of the hat called petasos:
(Odysseus and Hermes)
Also both associated with this double-stafff iconographically, which is a symbol of a messenger! Odysseus often acts like a messenger or as a comittee or as a negotiator! I also daresay that he is also depicted pulling Briseis from the hand, the movement is associated with Hermes as he leads souls in the underworld!
And most importantly; Hermes's epithets among other are Δόλιος (Dolios)=Wily, Deceiving, Planning
And.....
Πολύτροπος (Polytropos)= Of many ways, of many turns
THEY LITERALLY SHARE THE SAME EPITHET!!!!!!!!
Seriously guys his association with a ram is not a coincidence! The dude is practically the perfect combo of Hermes and Athena!! The Ram is Hermes!!!!!
Get mindblown as I am now!
[...a son, of many shifts, blandly cunning, a robber, a cattle driver, a bringer of dreams, a watcher by night, a thief at the gates, one who was soon to show forth wonderful deeds among the deathless gods.]
Praise Lord Hermes by taking the time to write. In a journal, a blog, a notes app, anything. Just write.
e-offering to Lord Hermes 💛
Great son of Zeus and Maia,
God of travelers, of luck, of guidance,
I ask for your protection during these next few days as I journey out of town,
I feel safer following you and appreciate all you do to keep my days going smoothly and my luck abundant,
thank you for your blessings,
I post this offering in your honor,
asking for any protection you can provide 💛🪽
Devotional act idea: "Adopt" a wild animal.
Digital Offering to Lord Hermes
Digital Offering to Lord Hermes
First Digital Offering To Lord Hermes of the year
I hope he protects you and make you prosper in this 2025 and forever, happy new year!
Lord Hermes is everywhere I go.
I see Him in the birds that migrate South for the winter. I see Him in the friendly face of the mailwoman who brings my packages and always leaves a treat for my dog.
I feel Him in the crafty half-truths I tell interviewers in the hope of landing a job that makes me happy. I feel Him in the careful selection of every word I use so that those around me may take me seriously.
His presence is warm and comforting, yet He always says what needs to be said, even when I don't want to hear it. And for that, I appreciate him immensely.
Digital Offering to Lord Hermes
I will try to make at least one digital offering to Lord Hermes every Wednesday.
Another Digital Offering to Lord Hermes
And today is a special day because it is the day of Mercury, which means that it is the day of Hermes, because it is Wednesday.In Spanish it is better understood because Wednesday is miércoles (mercurio/mercury)
Another Digital Offering to Lord Hermes
A digital offering to Lord Hermes 🪙🍊🍋🍯🧭📜🪽
Despite my mom's almost judgmental glances, I was finally able to build what I hope will be a good altar for Lord Hermes 🪽🍀🕯️🪙
Did someone say something about Hermes as a dragon?
No?
Well, too bad! Take this concept sketch!
OLYMPUS: a collection of playlists inspired by greek gods and goddesses
Continua a leggere
Why is this so cute???? I love them
The Homeric Hymn to Hermes is so fucking funny of an origin story. It really just goes
Maia sighing about this whole baby nonsense and going back to sleep: I did not ask for this
Hermes running off to kill a turtle invent a lyre and steal Apollo's cows before noon: alright good timing Apollo will notice any minute now
Maia waking up: why do you smell like beef -_-
Baby Hermes born twelve hours ago: Mom we are Not living in this cave anymore
Maia: What's this we shit you stole Apollo's cows that's a you problem get lost ! (she literally tried to kick him out of the cave right before Apollo shows up)
Apollo: Hey you ! I know you stole my cows !
Baby Hermes: ME ! But I am just a little baby in my blankies who wants my mother's milk how could I so weak and new born have stolen anything
Apollo: real babies don't talk dumbass let's go see Zeus
Zeus definitely laughing his ass off: Well Hermes what do you have to say for yourself
Hermes god of Lies: I can not tell a lie not to you who claims to be my father. Now you see I never took those cattle... across a threshold. And I will confess to my blame nesses
Zeus and Apollo very much aware he didn't swear to anything just then: Okay just show us the cows kid
Apollo walking with Hermes thirty hours old now a young boy not a baby: You are growing very fast I am actually terrified for your power when you're full grown, slayer of Argus.... don't worry about who Argus is
Hermes singing on his brand new lyre: Okay. Hey do you want this Apollo I knowww you love music
Apollo taking it: YES !
Hermes a normal amount of pleased -> literally in the text highlighted that this is the moment he started loving Apollo forever now: Okay awesome we should go tell Zeus we're besties now and you're totally cool about the cow stealing
Apollo: Yeah about that little thief. If you swear to never steal from me again I'll love you forever and hold you dear to my heart
Hermes nodding his head and very obviously avoids invoking the styx becuase you never know when you'll want to rob big brother again
Apollo: ... Good enough I promise to love you forever and give you lots of good gifts like this golden staff here enjoy !
Zeus sending his Eagle down to oversee this bond of brotherhood: Most successful sibling bonding exercise I have ever done well done Me
Hermes: I'm still going to swindle people all of the time to be clear
Apollo: I know I'm going to sing about you a lot !