Mercury (mythology)

Mercury

Mercury is an important god in old Roman stories. He is one of the twelve main gods, called the Dii Consentes. People knew Mercury as the god of travel, trade, and communication. He was also known for being clever and tricky.

Mercury is the son of Maia and Jupiter, the king of the gods. He has a lot in common with the Greek god Hermes. Both gods often hold a special staff called a caduceus. This staff has two snakes wrapped around it and was given to them by Apollo.

Mercury became important later when Roman beliefs mixed with Greek beliefs. He wore winged shoes and a winged hat. People loved Mercury in many places, like Gaul and Pompeii. He was seen as a bringer of good luck and helped guide people after they passed away.

Mercury’s temple was in Rome, near a busy marketplace and a racetrack. There was a big celebration for him on May 15th called the Mercuralia. During this festival, merchants would splash water from a sacred well on their heads.

Mercury is remembered in many ways today. There is a coin called the Mercury dime that shows a winged woman named Liberty. The United States Navy also names a special airplane after him because it helps with communication.