In Greek mythology, Hermes was the son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia.
Maia was one of the seven Pleiades, daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Ancient stories portray him as exceptionally clever from infancy: on the day of his birth, he left his cradle and stole Apollo's cattle.
Hermes became the Olympian messenger and a god associated with travel, trade, boundaries, eloquence, and cunning. His winged sandals and herald's staff are among his best-known attributes. He also guided souls to the underworld, a role called psychopomp.
Hermes is often confused with Apollo because the two gods appear together in the cattle-stealing story, but Apollo was Zeus's son by Leto. The Roman god Mercury was Hermes's counterpart.