It has been recorded that the defacement of several hermae in ancient Athens was utilized by the many enemies of Alcibiades, an important general and statesman in the Peloponnesian War (431 to 404 BC), to engineer his downfall. Hermaic columns were regarded with religious awe by Greeks and to deface one was an act of terrible sacrilege. This was very necessary because travel was dangerous in ancient Greece, due especially to war and bandits. They were boundary markers, and thought to give travelers protection. Hermaic Columns as Protectors of TravelersĭH reports that “the bust is likely a fragment of a Hermaic column – which were established at crossroads and streets and served as road signs.” These columns, also known as hermae or herma, were statues of Hermes, the messenger of the gods.

His Roman counterpart was Mercury, another the messenger of the gods. It was believed that the touch of his staff could make mortals fall asleep. The god is often portrayed with a staff, a broad-brimmed hat and winged sandals that allowed him to travel very quickly. At Ancient Origins we reported that “Hermes is believed to be a psychopomp, one who was responsible for conducting the souls of the deceased into the Underworld.” His image was frequently depicted on grave markers in ancient Greece. He was the protector of travelers and this included protecting the dead traveling to the underworld. Hermes is credited with the invention of the lyre and the plectrum. He was worshipped by a wide range of groups including travelers, merchants, athletes, and shepherds. Hermes in the myths is portrayed as very clever and craft and this led Zeus to appoint him the messenger of the Gods. However, he was also the patron deity of diplomacy trade, boundaries, diplomacy, travel, flocks, and thieves. His primary role was as the messenger of the Gods. Hermes, son of Zeus, was one of the twelve Olympians. (shakko / CC BY-SA 3.0 ) Hermes: Messengers of the Gods Hermes is usually depicted as a young beardless man in ancient art, making the find even more unusual. Alcamenes, or Alkamenos, flourished in the 5 th century BC and was considered one of ancient Greece’s finest sculptors. The Greek Ministry of Culture stated that “the head is in the style of famed Greek sculptor Alcamenes,” reports USA Today.

Ancient Greek Shipwreck Is Now Protected By Underwater AI Robotsīased on the style of the bust, it probably dates to approximately 300 BC, during a period known as the Hellenistic Age.

Hermes: Messenger of the Gods and Patron of Traders, Travelers, and Thieves.Brexit Reignites Greece’s Appeal to Return Stolen Parthenon Marbles.Typically, Hermes is shown as a beardless young man in ancient art. AP News explains that the head “depicts Hermes at ‘a mature age’.” This is most unusual. ( Greek Ministry of Culture ) Unusual Mature Head of HermesĪccording to Archaeology News Network, “the head was found in the south side wall of a modern sewage pipeline.” Despite this, the head was in a remarkable condition. The Greek Ministry of Culture has announced the unexpected find of an ancient head of Hermes during construction work in Athens. However, further investigations revealed that it was a marble bust depicting the god Hermes. At first experts believed that the head was a depiction of Zeus. The sculpted head was uncovered at a “depth of 4.2 feet (1.3 meters),” reports DH. Some construction workers were working on a sewage project when they came across the major find. Irene) Square is set in downtown Athens and is very popular with residents and visitors alike. It was probably part of a hermaic column, which were once common sights in ancient Athens and elsewhere in ancient Greece. The Greek Ministry of Culture has announced that the ancient bust of the Greek god Hermes was unearthed in remarkably good condition during sewage work in the heart of the city on Friday 13 th November. Construction workers have made a remarkable discovery in Athens.

Hermes greek god