Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2020
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Department Chair or Program Director
Romero, Joseph
First Advisor
Houghtalin, Liane
Second Advisor
Pitts, Angela
Third Advisor
Romero, Joseph
Major or Concentration
Classics
Abstract
The ancient Greek deity Hermes has gone through many evolutions since his conception as an early, pre-Olympian god. One of these changes occurred between the Archaic and Classical periods of Ancient Greece. In the Archaic period, Hermes, the patron god of shepherds, thieves and merchants, appeared as a mature, bearded god in sculpture and vase paintings. As the Classical period began, Hermes began to appear as a young, un-bearded man in sculpture, while still being archaized in some vase painting, and in herms. This change occurred because of the Homeric Hymn to Hermes (Homeric Hymn 4), which was written in the early Classical period. In this hymn, Hermes is introduced as an infant who is the son of Zeus and the younger brother of Apollo. Hermes began to appear as a young man in Classical style sculpture to fit his role as the younger brother of Apollo. Even though his appearance changed, and he received new spheres of influence that were similar to Apollo’s, he continued to act as the patron god of shepherds, thieves, and merchants.
Recommended Citation
Lavach, Haley, "The Evolution of Hermes His Influences and Appearance from the Archaic to Classical Periods" (2020). Student Research Submissions. 333.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/333