In Greek mythology, Hermes was credited with inventing the lyre from a tortoise shell.
The story is told most famously in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes. Shortly after his birth, the infant Hermes found a tortoise, removed its shell, stretched strings across it, and created the first lyre. The hymn presents this invention as an example of Hermes’ cleverness and skill with practical crafts.
Hermes later gave the lyre to Apollo after stealing Apollo’s cattle. Apollo was impressed by the instrument’s music and accepted it in exchange for the herd, helping establish the lyre as one of Apollo’s principal symbols. This exchange also reconciled the two gods after their dispute.
A common mix-up is to name Apollo as the inventor because he became the Olympian god most strongly associated with music and the lyre. Hermes, however, is the figure credited with creating the instrument, while Apollo became its most famous divine player. The lyre later became an important symbol in Greek poetry and musical tradition.