It's no secret that the Romans worshipped many different deities in ancient times. Each one represented certain aspects of life and possessed specific traits that distinguished them. One of these is the god Mercury, whom you probably know better by the name of his Greek counterpart.
If you want to learn more about this Roman deity, I recommend you keep reading. In this article, we'll explain who the god Mercury is, who his Greek counterpart is, and how he was typically depicted. If you enjoy Roman mythology, this information is essential.
Who is the god Mercury?
You probably already know that in Roman mythology, the various gods are named after planets. Therefore, it's not surprising that there is one called Mercury. He is the god of commerce and, according to myths and legends, is the son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter . The name of the god Mercury comes from the Latin term merx , which translates as "merchandise." Besides being the Roman deity of commerce, he also represents messages, eloquence, communication, divination, boundaries, travelers, luck, thieves, and trickery.
While it's true that the earliest forms associated with this deity are linked to the Etruscan god Turms, the vast majority of Mercury's mythology and characteristics originate from his Greek counterpart, Hermes , whom we'll discuss later. If you'd like to learn more about the planet Mercury , you can also explore its connection to mythology.
It's worth noting that the god Mercury has served as inspiration for naming various things in the scientific world, such as the planet Mercury, the mercurial plant, and the element mercury. Furthermore, the term "mercurial" is commonly used to describe someone or something unstable, erratic, or volatile. This expression derives from the swift flights Mercury made to travel from one place to another. In fact, he is the messenger of the gods.
What Greek god does Mercury represent?
The deities of Roman and Greek mythology are closely related. Each has its counterpart in the other culture. As we mentioned earlier, the god Mercury is called Hermes in Greek mythology, where he also plays the role of messenger god and god of commerce. He also represents the same things as Mercury: travelers, boundaries, cunning, liars, thieves, and so on. Furthermore, he is responsible for guiding the souls of the dead in the underworld.
In Greek mythology, Hermes is the son of Zeus (the equivalent of the god Jupiter) and the Pleiad Maia. Although not one of the most prominent Olympian deities, he appears in many myths and legends, one of the best known being the one about the changing of the seasons. It tells how Hades, the god of the underworld, abducted Persephone to make her his wife. After this event, the victim's mother, Demeter, the goddess of the fertile earth and the seasons, was deeply saddened. Consequently, she cursed the Earth until she recovered her daughter. Thus began a time of suffering for humankind.
Following this event, Zeus decides to send Hermes to the underworld to negotiate Persephone's release with Hades. They eventually reach an agreement: she will have to spend six months with Hades in the underworld, and the other six months she can remain with her mother, Demeter, on Earth. The goddess of the seasons and fertile land grieves during her beloved daughter's absence, which is reflected in the colder seasons of the year: autumn and winter. However, when Persephone returns, she is overjoyed, ushering in the seasons of spring and summer.
How is Mercury represented?
As we have already mentioned, the god Mercury is not an original deity created by the Romans, but was adapted following the example of the Greek god Hermes when both religions syncretized in the 3rd century BC. Until then, in Roman mythology there were the so-called Dei Lucrii , who were the gods of economic activities, but these were replaced by Mercury.
For this reason, this Roman deity bears a striking resemblance to the Greek god Hermes. When depicted in texts, drawings, or sculptures, they typically wore a type of hat called a petasos and winged sandals called talaria. Sometimes, the wings were even attached directly to the god's ankles. Furthermore, in almost all representations, they hold a caduceus. This is a herald's staff distinguished by two intertwined snakes. It is the symbol of commerce and economic institutions. It was a gift from Apollo to Hermes.
It is also very common to associate deities with different animals, as these represent different things, just like the gods. In the case of Mercury or Hermes, they often appeared alongside one of the following animals:
- a rooster: It is the herald that announces the new day.
- A goat or a lamb: They represent fertility.
- A turtle: According to Greek mythology, Hermes created the first lyre using a tortoise shell. Hence, it is usually associated with this animal.
Since the god Mercury was not among the primitive deities that survived the earliest period of the Roman Empire, also known as the Roman Monarchy, he had no assigned flamen. The flamens were the most prestigious priests of Ancient Rome, sometimes even considered equivalent to pontiffs. However, the Roman messenger god did have an important festival in his name every May 15th. It was called the Mercuralia, and during this festival, merchants would draw water from his sacred well and sprinkle it on their heads.
Although there is no longer a widespread belief in Roman mythology, its myths and protagonists are extremely interesting. The ancient polytheistic cultures are full of very curious and entertaining legends that have inspired many literary novels and stories.
